Tesla Model Y SUV smashes Euro NCAP safety test

• Model Y offers 98% adult occupant protection
• All Genesis SUVs now have a five-star safety rating
• Kia Niro only gets four-star score in base spec

Euro NCAP has released its newest batch of safety test results, with the Tesla Model Y clinching itself a full five-star rating. Other highlights from the recent tests include five-star safety ratings for the electric Genesis GV60 SUV and ORA Funky Cat supermini, while the otherwise-impressive Kia Niro could only muster four-stars in entry-level form. 

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Tesla is renowned for its cutting-edge driver assistance tech and this led to the Model Y scoring full marks in the independent European body’s ‘lane support’ and camera-based system tests. The Model Y also achieved a score of 97 percent and 98 percent in the ‘Adult Occupant Protection’ and ‘Safety Assist’ tests respectively, making Elon Musk’s electric car one of the safest models Euro NCAP has tested in recent history.

Also scoring top marks was the Chinese electric hatchback, the ORA Funky Cat, as well as the futuristic Genesis GV60. Despite being a newcomer to Euro NCAP tests, the Genesis brand has regularly performed well – with all three of the brand’s SUVs scoring the full five stars.

At Carbuyer, we often report how stringent Euro NCAP safety tests are becoming, and the results of the all-new Kia Niro are a good example of this. Available as a self-charging hybrid, a plug-in hybrid and a full EV, the Niro could only manage a four-star score in its base ‘2’ specification. 

While this is no means an abysmal score – the Dacia Jogger only recently was branded with a one star rating – it is still below that of rivals such as the Renault Captur E-Tech. Having said that, when specified with the optional DriveWise safety pack, Kia’s compact SUV is finally able to achieve a five-star safety rating, thanks to the addition of radar sensing equipment.

Need a car that’ll give you peace of mind out on the road? Check out our list of the top 10 safest cars