The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) sets the benchmark for vehicle safety in Europe. Its comprehensive tests evaluate crash performance, safety assist systems, and pedestrian protection to inform buyers and encourage manufacturers to prioritize safety. Automakers take these results seriously, knowing that low ratings can impact both sales and brand reputation.
While most new vehicles today achieve the coveted 5-star rating, some EVs released in 2024 and 2025 fell short. This article highlights electric vehicles that scored less than 5 stars in Euro NCAP testing, providing insights for buyers who value safety alongside style, technology, and performance.
2024 Electric Vehicles with Less Than 5 Stars
| Model | Euro NCAP Rating | Country of Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Jeep Avenger | 3 stars | USA |
| Alpine A290 | 4 stars | France |
| Renault 5 | 4 stars | France |
| Renault 4 | 4 stars | France |
| Nissan Micra | 4 stars | Japan |
Both the Nissan Micra and Renault 5 shared the win for the 2026 Car of the Year award in Denmark, while the Renault 4 reached 3rd place. This shows that when a car is desirable as a complete package (design, features, and appeal) buyers may overlook slightly lower safety ratings.
It is also no surprise that the Nissan Micra and Renault 5 share the same 4-star Euro NCAP score, as they are technically near-identical, sharing the same platform, powertrain, and most specifications.
2025 Electric Vehicles with Less Than 5 Stars
| Model | Euro NCAP Rating | Country of Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Dongfeng Nammi Box | 3 stars | China |
| Hyundai Inster | 4 stars | South Korea |
| DS No 8 | 4 stars | France |
| Opel Grandland | 4 stars | Germany |
| Peugeot 5008 | 4 stars | France |
| Peugeot 3008 | 4 stars | France |
| Citroen C5 Aircross | 4 stars | France |
| Toyota Urban Cruiser | 4 stars | Japan |
| Suzuki eVitara | 4 stars | Japan |
| Kia EV3 | 4 stars | South Korea |
| Ford Tourneo | 4 stars | USA |
The safety results for these small European EVs reveal a pattern. The Dongfeng Nammi Box scored 3 stars and the Hyundai Inster 4 stars, reflecting the difficulties of balancing crash protection with essential features like interior space, battery range, and agility for city driving, while also keeping prices affordable. Similar challenges were seen in 2024 with the Nissan Micra and Renault 5, showing that manufacturers often have to make trade-offs to create a practical, cost-effective, urban-focused EV.
Interestingly, all the EVs listed here, except for the Dongfeng Nammi Box, are of Western origin. Chinese EVs consistently score 5 stars on Euro NCAP, with the Zeekr X being a prime example, crowned the safest EV in Europe for 2024.
Why Some EVs Score Less Than 5 Stars
Even in 2024 and 2025, with rapid advancements in EV technology, some vehicles still fall short in certain areas of Euro NCAP testing. Common factors include:
- Limited crash protection for occupants or pedestrians
- Incomplete active safety systems or driver assistance features
- Structural weaknesses in smaller or budget-oriented models
Understanding these limitations helps buyers make informed decisions, balancing safety with other vehicle attributes.
Here’s a table with specific examples for the most popular EVs I mentioned earlier.
| Vehicle Model | Summary of 4-Star Euro NCAP Rating Reasons |
|---|---|
| Hyundai Inster | Dropped points due to marginal driver protection in frontal crash tests, a door unlatching during a side impact test, and a Safety Assist score (67%) that just missed the five-star threshold. |
| Renault 5 E-Tech | Scored well on physical crash protection but missed the top rating due to a Safety Assist score below the 70% threshold and the omission of a center airbag for far-side occupant protection. |
| Renault 4 E-Tech | Similar to the Renault 5, it scored well on physical protection but missed five stars due to the Safety Assist systems (AEB did not avoid all collisions in testing) and the lack of a center airbag. |
| Nissan Micra | Scored highly on physical crash tests but received 68% in the Safety Assist category (just below the 70% threshold) and lacked a center airbag for occupant-to-occupant protection. |
FAQ
Which EV scored the lowest in Euro NCAP 2024 and 2025?
The lowest-rated EVs were the Jeep Avenger (3 stars in 2024) and the Dongfeng Nammi Box (3 stars in 2025).
Are Nissan Micra and Renault 5 safe despite having 4 stars?
Yes. Both share the same platform, powertrain, and specs. While not 5 stars, their safety performance is comparable and suitable for most buyers.
Why do some luxury EVs have less than 5 stars?
Even premium models, like the DS No 8, can score 4 stars if certain safety features or crash performance aspects are not fully optimized.
Do Chinese EVs perform differently in Euro NCAP?
Yes. Chinese EVs consistently score 5 stars. For example, the Zeekr X was crowned the safest EV in Europe for 2024 by Euro NCAP, highlighting the strong safety performance of modern Chinese models.
Does a lower Euro NCAP score mean I should avoid a car?
Not necessarily. A lower score highlights areas for improvement, but overall desirability, features, and other safety technologies should also be considered.
Featured Image Credit: Euro NCAP
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