In 2023, Euro NCAP crash-tested 17 cars. Nine of them were Chinese EVs, accumulating over 50% of assessed vehicles. According to E-NCAP, Chinese manufacturers were anxious to prove their relevance to European buyers. They have achieved this goal because every evaluated made-in-China car got five stars.
In 2023, Euro NCAP crash-tested nine Chinese models from four brands: BYD Dolphin, BYD Seal, BYD Seal-U (Song Plus), BYD Tang, Xpeng G9, Xpeng P7, Nio EL7 (ES7), Nio ET5 and Smart #3. We will highlight that the Smart #3 can be labeled as a “Chinese car” since it sits on Geely’s SEA architecture, adopts parts from Geely’s subsidiaries, and Geely manufactures it in China.
As mentioned, every Chinese car crash-tested by Euro NCAP earned five stars. It is worth mentioning that the Nio ET5 became the safest vehicle tested by the European Association in 2023, surpassing the Volkswagen ID.7. Let’s briefly check the results of crash-tested Chinese models from lowest to highest.
Xpeng G9
The Xpeng G9 was launched in Europe in September. Recently, it was crash-tested by Euro-NCAP, earning five stars. It scored highest in the Adult Occupant and Child Occupant categories with 85%. It also achieved 78% both in Vulnerable Road Users and Safety Assist segments. Euro NCAP’s press release shows that the G9 performed well overall, except for the small female driver dummy “submarining” in the full-width test.
BYD Tang
The BYD Tang has been on sale in Norway since 2021 and on sale in the rest of Europe since 2022. In the Euro-NCAP crash test, it accumulated five stars, scoring identical 87% in the Adult Occupant and Child Occupant segments. This SUV received 80% in Vulnerable Road Users and 73% in Safety Assist segments. E-NCAP called it a stable five-star performer.
Xpeng P7
The Xpeng P7 is a Chinese electric sedan introduced in Europe in 2023. It is actually a facelifted version of the model that sells in China as P7i. It scored highest in the Adult Occupant safety segment with 87%. It also received an identical 81% in the Child Occupant and Vulnerable Road Users categories. In the Safety Assist segment, the Xpeng P7 scored 78%.
BYD Seal-U (Song Plus)
The BYD Seal-U is the new SUV for Europe, which will enter the market in 2024. It was introduced to European automotive enthusiasts at IAA Mobility 2023 in Germany. In China, it sells under the Song Plus EV name. The Seal-U scored 90% in the Adult Occupant segment. In the Child Occupant category, it got 85%. Vulnerable Users and Safety Assist segments brought Seal-U 83% and 77%, respectively. Euro NCAP underlined that the SEAL-U got full points for motorcycle AEB.
BYD Seal
The BYD Seal was launched in Europe in September 2023. We will also underline that it has recently entered North America to rival the Tesla Model 3. The Seal scored highest in the Adult Occupant category, with 89%. In the Child Occupant segment, it received 87%. In the Vulnerable Road Users category, the Seal got 82%. And it received 76% in the Safety Assist segment.
BYD Dolphin
The BYD Dolphin was launched in Europe in 2023. The European version of the BYD Dolphin differs from the domestic one. It is bigger and is equipped with a bigger battery and a more powerful e-motor. The BYD Dolphin got 89% in the Adult Occupant category. In the Child Occupant segment, it received 87%. The Vulnerable Road Users segment brought the Dolphin 85%. And it got 79% in the Safety Assist category.
Nio EL7 (ES7)
The Nio EL7 is a mid-size, high-end SUV with a swappable battery. In China, it sells under the ES7 name. However, Nio was forced to change its name by Audi to avoid affecting the interests of Audi’s customers in Europe. The EL7 scored the highest in the Adult Occupant segment with 93%. In the Child Occupant category, it got 85%. This SUV received 80% in the Vulnerable Road Users segment. And its Safety Assist result is 78%.
Smart #3
The Smart #3 was developed and manufactured by Geely but styled by Mercedes-Benz. It is more a Chinese car than a German one. In the E-NCAP crash test, it scored 90% in the Adult Occupant segment. The child Occupant category’s result is 86%. The #3’s performance in the Vulnerable Road Users segment is 84%. And the Safety Assist segment got 85%.
Nio ET5
As mentioned, the Nio ET5 appeared to become the safest Chinese vehicle evaluated by Euro NCAP in 2023. It is a high-end electric liftback with swappable batteries. It scored 96% in the Adult Occupant segment. The Child Occupant category’s performance is 85%. This liftback got 83% in the Vulnerable Road Users segment. And the Active Safety category got 81%.
Regarding Adult Safety, the Nio ET5 appeared to be the best of nine Chinese cars evaluated by Euro NCAP in 2023. BYD Dolphin, Seal, and Tang have the best Child Occupant safety. The BYD Dolphin has the best result among nine Chinese cars in the Vulnerable Road Users segment. And the Smart #3 tops in the Safety Assist category.
Source: Euro NCAP
Chery Omoda 5 star
The Chery Omoda 5 was not tested using the more difficult 2023 ratings.