- Surging Sales: Chinese brands are booming in Europe – BYD jumped 311% in H1 2025 (70,500 units) jato.com, MG (SAIC) sold 162,000 in H1 2025 (outselling Tesla) jato.com, and Xpeng reached 8,338 in H1 (led by 5,615 G6 SUVs) jato.com. Chinese brands now have ~5.1% EU market share in H1 2025 jato.com.
- Top Safety Scores: Nearly every Chinese model tested earns five stars. In 2023–24 Euro NCAP results, 13 of 18 five‑star cars were Chinese-made EVs insideevs.com. For example, BYD’s Dolphin, Seal, and Atto 3 all scored five stars, as did MG’s MG4 EV and HS, and XPeng’s P7 and G6 byd.com, euroncap.com. Even class awards went to Chinese cars: the Zeekr X, MG HS and XPeng G6 led their segments euroncap.com.
- Expert Endorsement: Euro NCAP strategist Matthew Avery bluntly stated that “the quality of Chinese brand models is superior to that of others” en.clickpetroleoegas.com.br. Regulators note EU safety laws (requiring AEB, lane-keep, etc. since 2022) have pushed all makers to include top tech en.clickpetroleoegas.com.br. BYD Europe’s MD says their cars’ safety results give “reassurance that safety is always at the forefront” byd.com.
- Crash-Test Highlights: The top models generally show stable passenger compartments. For instance, the BYD Atto 3’s structure held firm – “all critical body areas were well protected” in Euro NCAP’s frontal and side tests euroncap.com. The XPeng G6’s cabin was stable (good protection all around; rear-chest “weak” only in one test) euroncap.com. The Zeekr X (Euro NCAP’s Small SUV class leader) scored 91% adult and 90% child protection euroncap.com.
- ADAS and Extras: All models include advanced safety tech. Most have standard AEB (car‐to‐car and pedestrian), lane‑keep, blind-spot warnings, and driver-monitoring cameras. For example, MG’s “MG Pilot” suite (AEB, adaptive cruise, lane-keep, driver alert) is standard on MG4, MG ZS and MG HS news.mgmotor.eu. NIO’s ES8 features adaptive cruise, forward collision warning and a full set of airbags nio.com. Notably, many Chinese EVs have unique systems: the Zeekr X even adds a centre-front airbag to prevent occupant-to-occupant impact euroncap.com.
- U.S. Market: Chinese passenger cars are not yet sold in the U.S., so no IIHS/NHTSA crash scores exist. (Some manufacturers like BYD have announced future U.S. launches, but consumer sales are pending.) All official safety ratings cited here are Euro NCAP (for Europe).
1. BYD Atto 3 (2022–2023)
Sales: BYD’s compact Atto 3 EV has been its best-seller overseas (100,020 units in 2023) carnewschina.com, driven by competitive pricing. It’s sold widely in Europe, but not yet in the U.S..
Safety Results: The Atto 3 earned a five-star Euro NCAP rating. In tests it scored 91% adult and 89% child protection euroncap.com. The body remained rigid in crashes – all major dummy areas were well protected in frontal and side impacts euroncap.com. (One caveat: Euro NCAP separately rated its driver-assist system “not recommended”, noting the Atto 3’s lane-keep and driver-monitoring systems had deficiencies at high speed reuters.com.) BYD touted the result: “one of the safest models” at five stars reuters.com.
Crash Highlights: The frontal-offset test showed good protection of knees/femurs. AEB and autonomous emergency braking are standard; ABS, 6+ airbags (including front center airbag), lane-keep, blind-spot alert and a driver drowsiness monitor come on all trims. In testing, the impact trolley analysis showed the Atto 3 would be a “benign” crash partner euroncap.com.
Expert Note: Reuters reported Euro NCAP praising the Atto 3’s overall safety, despite its driver-aid slip-up, highlighting the car’s five-star rating (the agency noted such top scores are a new endorsement for Chinese EVs) reuters.com. BYD Europe’s MD said results confirm “safety is always at the forefront” of their design byd.com.
2. BYD Dolphin (2023)
Sales: The Dolphin small hatchback has been a top export for BYD (74,884 units in 2023) carnewschina.com. It’s sold in many European markets (e.g. Netherlands, Norway), but not in the U.S.
Safety Results: Euro NCAP awarded the Dolphin 5 stars, with 89% adult and 87% child protection euroncap.com. In testing, the cabin stayed intact (“remained stable”) in a crash. Front passenger protection was “good or adequate” in all critical areas, and dummy legs/femurs were well protected euroncap.com. Vulnerable road users (pedestrians/cyclists) scored 85%. The Dolphin includes forward AEB (car/pedestrian), lane-keep assist, blind-spot alert, 6 airbags, and a driver-attention alert system.
Crash Highlights: The frontal offset test showed excellent knee/femur protection for driver and passenger euroncap.com. Euro NCAP noted the chassis would be “a benign impact partner” in a frontal collision. Side-barrier and pole tests yielded maximum points (all critical areas “good”) euroncap.com. The Dolphin also has an advanced eCall emergency system and post-impact auto-braking.
3. BYD Seal (2023)
Sales: The BYD Seal electric sedan (launched 2023) sold 23,606 units overseas in 2023 carnewschina.com. It’s available in Europe (e.g. Scandinavia, NL). No U.S. sales yet.
The Seal scored five stars from Euro NCAP, with 89% adult and 87% child scores euroncap.com. Its structure remained stable in crashes. All critical body areas had “good” or “adequate” protection for both driver and passenger in full-width and side impacts euroncap.com. The Seal features a strong aluminum body (like its SUV cousin Tang) and includes AEB, lane-assist, blind-spot monitors, plus 6–7 airbags (front/rear center, side, curtain). Euro NCAP noted the Seal’s side airbags (to prevent occupant contact) performed well. Its eCall and post-collision braking systems are standard. Overall the Seal’s ratings were nearly identical to the Dolphin’s, reflecting BYD’s consistent safety engineering euroncap.com.
4. MG4 EV (2022–2024)
Sales: MG4 is MG’s compact electric hatch. In 2024 the MG4 was the UK’s 4th-best-selling EV a4.myautoworld.com. MG Motor UK sold over 81,500 cars in 2024, led by the MG4 and MG HS a4.myautoworld.com. (MG sold about 162,000 in Europe H1 2025 jato.com). MG is a Chinese-owned brand (SAIC). MG4 is not sold in the U.S.
Safety Results: The MG4 EV earned five stars in Euro NCAP. MG’s press noted that 100% of MG4 units, including entry trims, carry the “MG Pilot” suite of ADAS, helping it achieve top marks news.mgmotor.eu. (MG4’s scores: Adult 87%, Child 87%, VRU 82%, Assist 72% news.mgmotor.eu.)
In crash tests the MG4’s cage held firm. Dummy readings showed “good protection” for all critical areas of driver and passenger during frontal impacts. MG Pilot includes autonomous emergency braking (car/pedestrian), lane-keep and lane-change assist, traffic-sign recognition and driver-monitoring. The MG4 also has standard AEB at City speeds, Emergency Steering Assist, 6–7 airbags, and ISOFIX child-seat anchors. Euro NCAP commented that the MG4 would be a “benign” crash partner – a trait shared with other MGs in tests.
5. MG ZS EV (2021)
Sales: The MG ZS EV is an earlier subcompact SUV EV that sold well (~15,000 in its first year in Europe) news.mgmotor.eu. It remains popular (UK #2 MG model) with affordable pricing. (A plug-in hybrid ZS variant was launched later; that PHEV scored only 4 stars in tests.)
Safety Results: The 2021 MG ZS EV was the first “B-segment” all-electric SUV to earn five stars news.mgmotor.eu. It benefited from MG Pilot ADAS and a strong body. (Exact NCAP scores were not listed in the MG press, but MG highlighted its “excellent safety level” news.mgmotor.eu.)
Crash Highlights: In the NCAP tests, MG’s analysis showed the ZS EV’s structure gave good protection to occupants of all sizes. The MG3/Z brand under SAIC is engineered to meet strict EU standards, so the ZS EV has 6 airbags (including centre front), AEB (City/Inter-Urban), lane-assist and blind-spot monitoring. MG’s announcement quotes emphasized high safety: “customers around the world are buying MGs because they come with the peace of mind that we build in great safety from day one” news.mgmotor.eu.
6. MG HS PHEV (2024–)
Sales: The MG HS is a mid-size SUV, and its recent plug-in hybrid version debuted in 2024. In the UK, the MG HS was #8 overall in 2024 with 30,207 sales across all versions a4.myautoworld.com. MG brand remains Chinese-owned.
Safety Results: The 2024 MG HS PHEV scored five stars (Adult 90%, Child 85%, VRU 83%, Assist 74%) euroncap.com. Euro NCAP noted the passenger compartment “remained stable” in the frontal test euroncap.com. Knee/femur protection was “good” for both occupants. Side-impact scores were all maximum, with good protection all around. The HS has a special airbag between front seats to reduce occupant-to-occupant contact (Euro NCAP cited it worked well) euroncap.com.
Safety Tech: The HS comes standard with MG Pilot: forward AEB (with intersection assist), lane-keep, blind-spot, high-speed AEB, Intelligent Speed Assist, and Driver Attention Alert. It has 6+ airbags. It also features front and rear ISOFIX seats and a comprehensive eCall/emergency braking system. Its Euro NCAP report specifically praised its whiplash prevention (good protection in rear impacts) and “advanced eCall” for crash response euroncap.com.
7. XPeng P7 (2023)
Sales: XPeng’s P7 is a mid-size electric sedan exported to parts of Europe (sold in Netherlands, Norway, etc.). Exact Euro sales are modest, but XPeng markets it as a flagship (it competes with Tesla Model 3). No U.S. sales.
Safety Results: The P7 earned five stars in NCAP (tested 2023). Scores: Adult 87%, Child 81%, VRU 81%, Assist 78% euroncap.com. The P7’s structure and restraint system gave “good or adequate” protection to most body regions. Euro NCAP noted only a “marginal” chest protection for the front passenger in full-width impact, but overall occupant safety was high.
Crash Highlights: In the frontal offset test, P7’s passenger cage held up well. Dummy readings were good for legs and chest, with only slight neck/dummy back injury noted (still rated as “good”). The P7’s driver-assist suite (XPILOT 3.0) includes advanced AEB (with active lane-change), adaptive cruise, lane-keep, blind-spot detect and a steering-on-center function. It also has multiple radar/camera sensors and a driver-monitor. The result reflects a robust design: XPeng built the P7 on an aluminum-intensive platform (like its other EVs) which lowers center-of-gravity and stiffens the frame – factors credited by Euro NCAP for improving crash performance en.clickpetroleoegas.com.br.
8. XPeng G6 (2024)
Sales: The XPeng G6 is a compact SUV that launched in 2024. It is available in select European countries. XPeng’s 2025 figures show strong interest: 5,615 of its first-half sales were G6 models jato.com.
Safety: The G6 scored five stars (Adult 88%, Child 85%, VRU 81%, Assist 75%) euroncap.com. In tests its cabin stayed intact: Euro NCAP found protection “good or adequate” for all critical areas in frontal and side impacts euroncap.com. The only weakness was “weak” chest protection for the rear passenger in a full-width test euroncap.com.
Crash Details: The G6’s front airbags and strong A-pillars worked well; knees and femurs of driver/passenger were protected. In the rigid-barrier test, front protection was good, rear chest marginal. Side barriers yielded full points (“maximum points”). The G6 includes forward AEB (pedestrian/cyclist), blind-spot radar, lane-keep, and a driver-alert system. Euro NCAP noted the G6’s underside (battery pack) and seatbelt system performed well: “the G6 would be a benign impact partner in a frontal collision” euroncap.com.
9. XPeng G9 (2023)
Sales: The G9 is XPeng’s large SUV. While sold in China, it’s not yet officially exported widely, but NCAP tested it. It will eventually reach European markets.
Safety Results: Euro NCAP awarded the G9 five stars (Adult 85%, Child 85%, VRU 78%, Assist 78%) euroncap.com. The G9’s front structure kept passenger safety “good”: knees and femurs were protected, and the cage was stable euroncap.com. In testing, the G9’s front driver experienced some “submarining” (lap belt slide) leading to a poor rating for pelvic protection, a rare flaw noted by testers euroncap.com. However, side impacts were strong (all critical areas good) and its AEB and escort systems scored well.
Safety Tech: The G9 comes with XPILOT 4.0: lidar-based ADAS suite with AEB (with junction support), LKA, highway assist, immersive cockpit cameras, etc. It also includes eight airbags. Despite its “submarining” note, the G9’s overall safety is very high, and it was judged a “moderately benign impact partner” in front crashes euroncap.com.
10. NIO ES8 (2021–)
Sales: NIO’s ES8 is a seven-seat electric SUV, sold in Norway (launched 2021) and China. By late 2022 about 880 ES8s were registered in Norway cnevpost.com. NIO plans expansion, but as of 2025 it is not sold in the U.S.
Safety Results: The ES8 achieved five stars under the 2021 Euro NCAP protocols nio.com. Euro NCAP praised its all-aluminum body: “the passenger compartment remained stable” in tests nio.com. It scored full marks for child protection, and 92% in Safety Assist due to its strong ADAS suite.
Crash Highlights: In frontal and side crashes, the ES8 gave “good or adequate” protection all around nio.com. It earned top points in side-impact, and its AEB system (“NIO Pilot”) achieved good AEB performance nio.com. Standard safety kit includes forward AEB (cars/pedestrians), lane-keep, blind-spot warning, and up to 6–8 airbags (depend on trim). Euro NCAP noted the ES8’s high-strength chassis and robust restraint system, reflecting NIO’s emphasis on safety in its upmarket EV lineup.
Conclusion: In sum, Chinese EVs have shattered the safety stereotypes. According to Euro NCAP’s top official, “carmakers continue to place significant emphasis on safety innovation… placing consumer safety at the forefront” euroncap.com. The best-selling Chinese models in Europe not only sell fast, but also pass Euro NCAP’s toughest tests with flying colors, beating many legacy rivals.
Sources: Official Euro NCAP crash reports and manufacturer statements euroncap.com, industry sales data jato.com, a4.myautoworld.com, and commentary from Reuters and safety experts reuters.com, en.clickpetroleoegas.com.br. Each model’s section cites the relevant Euro NCAP data and media reports.
