Euro NCAP has introduced its advanced 2026 vehicle safety assessment protocols, raising the standard for consumer protection, placing greater emphasis on intuitive and effective driver assistance systems, robust crash avoidance, occupant protection for a diverse population and post-crash safety and care. Both the new BMW iX3 and the Zeekr 7GT have earned Euro NCAP’s highest five-star safety score under the new protocols, becoming the first vehicles to achieve this top rating.
The new protocols categorize testing around four Stages of Safety. Safe Driving assesses how well the vehicle supports the driver and passengers to provide a safer driving experience; Crash Avoidance evaluates how effectively the vehicle identifies hazards and helps prevent or reduce the severity of a crash; Crash Protection looks at how well the vehicle’s structure, airbags and restraints protect occupants and other road users during a collision; and Post Crash examines whether the vehicle’s design and onboard systems can assist emergency responders in treating occupants after a crash.
BMW iX3
The Neue Klasse BMW iX3 50 xDrive delivered an outstanding performance across all stages of the assessment and may be BMW’s safest car to date, said Euro NCAP.
In Safe Driving, the iX3 was praised for its dedicated physical controls for the indicators, hazard lights, horn, headlights and gear selectors, scoring 73%. Its driver monitoring proved effective at detecting driver fatigue and impairment, though it demonstrated lower sensitivity toward short-term visual distraction. During a 2,000km real-world road trial across Italy, France, Germany and Austria, its speed limit assist function identified signage changes correctly in 86% of instances, covering 97% of the driven distance.
According to Euro NCAP, the vehicle’s Crash Avoidance technologies performed well, with its autonomous emergency braking system exceeding the new requirements and showing good mitigation across vehicle-to-vehicle, junction-turning and motorcycle collision scenarios. Euro NCAP also rated pedestrian and cyclist protection favourably, along with the lane departure avoidance system. The vehicle scored 83% in this category.
In Crash Protection, the BMW iX3 scored 86%. It achieved maximum points in all side-impact evaluations, supported by a standard center airbag designed to prevent occupant-to-occupant impacts. Frontal offset testing showed good or adequate protection across all adult body types. The car fell short of full marks in the full-width test due to a marginal driver chest score of 85%, despite earning maximum points for both rear child dummies.
The vehicle scored an outstanding 95% in Post Crash safety. Its built-in e-call setup reliably coordinates with first responders. The electric high-voltage architecture executed very good battery isolation – essential to help minimize the risk of fire – while all electrically actuated door handles extended and remained fully operable post-impact, complemented by an accessible manual override release.
Zeekr 7GT
The Zeekr 7GT Privilege AWD showcased high-performing software intelligence and excellent overall structural crashworthiness.
For Safe Driving, the Zeekr 7GT scored 79%. Its driver monitoring system received maximum marks for detecting acute visual distraction, fatigue and drowsiness. The vehicle also includes sensors that flag incorrect lap-only seatbelt use, a manual front passenger airbag cut-off switch for use with rear-facing child restraints and standard child presence detection designed to alert bystanders if a child is left in the vehicle.
Many of the Zeekr 7GT’s features are controlled through a central touchscreen rather than physical switches and buttons, which resulted in a lower score for general vehicle controls. Over roughly 2,000km of real-world driving through Spain and France, its speed assist system correctly identified speed limit signs in 79% of cases, corresponding to 89% of the total distance covered.
In Crash Avoidance, the 7GT scored 89%. Euro NCAP noted its autonomous emergency braking performed strongly across frontal, reversing and intersection scenarios, and its dooring prevention system successfully warned occupants before opening doors into the path of approaching cyclists.
In Crash Protection, the 7GT scored 93%, achieving maximum points in side mobile barrier, side pole and far-side occupant impact tests, aided by its center airbag configuration. Frontal offset testing showed good or adequate protection for adults and full marks for both rear child dummies. Virtual modeling and sled testing across the 5th, 50th and 95th percentile occupant sizes were used to assess structural performance.
In Post Crash safety, the 7GT matched the BMW iX3’s score of 95%, with automatic high-voltage isolation and automatic door unlocking. The car lost points only because its third-party service (TPS) e-call system did not achieve a maximum score.
“Automotive safety has evolved a great deal since Euro NCAP published its first test results in early 1997, and our organization is proud to have played a part in striving for safer vehicles and roads,” said Dr Aled Williams, program director, Euro NCAP. “We believe Euro NCAP’s latest testing protocols will play a key role in that journey toward safer cars.”
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