Once Upon a Time in Car Land
Chinese cars used to be infamous for their knockoff designs and janky performances. If you were lucky, you’d get a powertrain that worked only half the time! Safety also seemed to be a distant fantasy for many manufacturers. However, that was ages ago—the renaissance of the Chinese automotive industry is upon us and it’s looking fabulous.
The Golden Era of Safety Ratings
Hold onto your steering wheels folks! Euro NCAP has recently revealed crash test results that are sending shockwaves through the industry. Of the 28 cars tested this year, 18 received the glorious five-star safety rating. And guess what? Thirteen of those champions are Chinese-made! You heard it right—Chinese companies are no longer just janky; they are now the guardians of safety on the roads.
Cars with a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating in 2025
| Model | Powertrain type | Country of origin (for the European market) |
| Tesla Model 3 | EV | China |
| Lynk & Co 02 | EV | China |
| Polestar 3 | EV | China |
| Zeekr 7X | EV | China |
| Audi A6 e-tron | EV | Germany |
| Voyah Courage | EV | China |
| Polestar 4 | EV | China |
| Geely EX5 | EV | China |
| Cupra Terramar | Gasoline, PHEV | Hungary |
| Omoda 9 | PHEV | China |
| Mini Cooper E | EV | China |
| BYD Sealion 7 | EV | China |
| Volkswagen Tayron | Gasoline, Diesel, PHEV | Germany |
| MG MGS5 EV | EV | China |
| Audi Q5 | Gasoline, Diesel, PHEV | Mexico |
| Hongqi E-HS9 | EV | China |
| Kia EV (with optional safety pack) | EV | South Korea |
| Jaecoo 7 PHEV | PHEV | China |
Where Engineering Meets Ingenuity
What’s even crazier? Eleven out of those five-star models are electric vehicles that are proudly designed in China. While names like Tesla and Mini Cooper also grace the list, it’s the engineering prowess from China that has driven them to excellence. Zeekr, Voyah, Geely, Cherry, Hongqi, Jaecoo—these names are swiftly climbing the automotive ladder, showing that the once-disparaged industry is now a force to be reckoned with.
Let’s face it: China went from the laughingstock to leading the pack in terms of EV powertrains, infotainment, and safety ratings. So, buckle up, everyone—if you aren’t already, you might just find yourself driving a Chinese car sooner than you think!
