Tesla Model 3 scored the highest in 2025 Euro NCAP, becoming the safest new car in Europe

[PCauto] The Tesla Model 3 was the year's top-scoring mid-size car with a comprehensive score of 359 out of 400 in the 2025 Euro NCAP safety tests.

This outcome is based on the latest 2025 testing procedure from Euro NCAP, which added additional evaluation scenarios like nighttime Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) tests and high-speed offset rear-end crashes. The 2025 Model 3 RWD European model with the standard Autopilot package was the vehicle under test.

The Model 3 demonstrated nearly perfect performance in Adult Occupant Protection and Safety Assist.

It received near-perfect results in crash tests, including an impressive 96% rating for adult occupant safety. The test report highlighted the improved compatible design for child restraint systems, and it achieved an 89% rating for child occupant protection.

In the Vulnerable Road Users (VRU) Protection category, the Model 3 secured a strong score of 85%, taking a leading position in the sector.

The most notable performance came in the Safety Assist category, where it achieved an exceptional 98%, nearly a perfect score, while the emergency functions of the Autopilot system were highly appreciated.

Safety Upgrades Came with Key Technological Improvements of the Model 3 2025

According to official statistics, the vehicle's integrated giga-casting body structure in the front and rear increases crash energy absorption efficiency by 30% over earlier models. Furthermore, the vehicle may achieve zero-point deductions in even the most difficult situations thanks to a recently added reinforced side intrusion beam that offers increased protection in side pole impact testing.

The advancements in active safety are especially noteworthy. By using a sensor fusion system that combines Tesla Vision and millimeter-wave radar, the new Autopilot hardware (HW4.5) increases the effective stopping range of Autonomous Emergency stopping (AEB) from 5 to 140 km/h. Additionally, it offers additional animal and motorbike detection features that are especially tailored for Europe's complicated road conditions.

The driver tiredness monitoring system has been much improved, with response speed increased by 50%, thanks to the combination of an infrared camera and steering wheel sensors.

Model 3 Outperforms Key Competitors in Overall Safety

Compared to its main rivals in the same segment, the Model 3 holds a clear safety advantage. According to Euro NCAP’s 2025 test data: BMW i4 scored a total of 342 points; Mercedes-Benz EQC (electric C-Class) scored 336 points; Tesla Model 3 leads with 359 points.

In each of the four main Euro NCAP safety categories, the Model 3 performs better than its competitors. In terms of Adult Occupant Protection, it rated 96%, exceeding the BMW I4's 94%, while in Child Occupant Protection, it scores 89%, surpassing the Mercedes EQC's 85%. It won with a landslide victory in Safety Assist with 98% score compared to the EQC's 95%, while it got 85% in Vulnerable Road User Protection over the I4's 82%. With an overall lead of 17 to 23 points, these category advantages highlight the Model 3's unmistakable superiority in terms of safety performance.

Enhanced Safety Brings Lower Insurance Costs for Model 3 Owners

In several European nations, the Model 3 is eligible for insurance discounts of 15% to 20% because to its 5-star Euro NCAP rating. This means that owners can save between €300 and €400 a year in Germany, where the average premium is about €2,000. Long-term residual value protection for Model 3 owners is also provided by historical statistics indicating that cars with a 5-star Euro NCAP rating hold 8% to 12% more resale value than non-5-star vehicles.

Tesla Keeps Improving Car Safety with OTA Updates

The high-voltage power cut-off technology built into the Model 3 reduces the safety dangers associated with batteries by activating automatically three seconds after a collision. The inherent benefits of an EV-specific platform in terms of crash protection are highlighted by its stiff body structure.

Notably, Tesla's software-driven approach to vehicle safety is strengthened by its ability to continuously optimize its safety systems through OTA (Over-the-Air) upgrades. Three safety patches aimed at enhancing the AEB algorithm have already been implemented in 2025 alone. This new "software-defined safety" paradigm is quickly taking the industry by storm.

The Euro NCAP 2025 testing protocol and Tesla's official Safety Engineering Report, which was published in March 2025, serve as the main sources of information for the evaluation.