…New 2026 protocols raise the global benchmark for vehicle safety
FEMI OWOEYE
BMW and ZEEKR have emerged as the first major winners under Euro NCAP’s toughest-ever vehicle safety assessment, with the all-new BMW iX3 and ZEEKR 7GT earning the coveted five-star rating under the organisation’s newly introduced 2026 testing protocols.
The new assessment framework marks the most comprehensive overhaul of Euro NCAP’s safety ratings in years, raising the bar for vehicle safety by placing greater emphasis on advanced driver assistance systems, crash avoidance technology, occupant protection and post-crash rescue capabilities.
The achievement signals that leading automaker are already adapting to a new era in which safety is judged not only by crashworthiness but also by how intelligently vehicles help prevent collisions and protect occupants before, during and after an accident.
Since its establishment in 1996, Euro NCAP has transformed vehicle safety standards worldwide. While many manufacturers initially resisted its independent crash tests, the organisation’s five-star rating has since become the global benchmark for automotive safety.
With today’s vehicles becoming increasingly dependent on sophisticated software, digital interfaces, electrification and automated driving technologies, Euro NCAP has introduced what it calls the “Stages of Safety”—a broader evaluation covering Safe Driving, Crash Avoidance, Crash Protection and Post-Crash Safety.
The BMW iX3 delivered an impressive all-round performance, scoring 73 per cent for Safe Driving, 83 per cent for Crash Avoidance, 86 per cent for Crash Protection and an outstanding 95 per cent for Post-Crash Safety. Euro NCAP described it as potentially the safest BMW ever built, praising its highly effective autonomous emergency braking system, strong pedestrian and cyclist protection, excellent occupant safety and flawless high-voltage battery isolation following a collision.
The ZEEKR 7GT also impressed with its intelligent safety technologies and structural strength, recording 79 per cent in Safe Driving, 89 per cent in Crash Avoidance, an exceptional 93 per cent in Crash Protection and 95 per cent in Post-Crash Safety. The electric grand tourer stood out for its advanced driver monitoring system, near-flawless autonomous emergency braking performance and excellent protection for both adults and children in crash tests.
Commenting on the new results, Euro NCAP Programme Director, Dr. Aled Williams, said the updated protocols reflect both rapid advances in vehicle technology and growing consumer expectations.
According to him, the five-star performances of the BMW iX3 and ZEEKR 7GT demonstrate that manufacturers can successfully combine cutting-edge driver assistance technologies with robust crash protection to deliver safer vehicles for all road users.
The latest ratings reinforce Euro NCAP’s position as the world’s leading independent vehicle safety authority and set a new benchmark that future vehicles will have to meet in the race for five-star recognition.
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