MINI and Audi EVs Excel in Euro NCAP Safety Tests
LEUVEN, BELGIUM – The latest results from Euro NCAP’s new car safety assessments demonstrate that safety isn’t solely dependent on a vehicle’s size. Both the MINI Cooper Electric and the Audi A6 e-tron, representing smaller and larger electric vehicle (EV) categories, respectively, have secured top five-star ratings, signifying excellent passenger and road user protection.
The independent safety organization, which has been evaluating vehicle safety since 1997, recently tested the latest electric models from MINI and Audi. Both vehicles demonstrated a high level of protection for occupants and other road users, leading to the maximum five-star ratings. This underscores the principle that safety need not be compromised by the size or cost of a vehicle.
“The new MINI Cooper E shows how you could own a fun-to-drive, small electric car and not have to compromise on safety,” explained Aled Williams, Programme Director at Euro NCAP. “As for Audi’s new A6 e-tron, we were particularly impressed by how well this large family car protected both adults and children in the event of an impact.”
MINI Cooper E: Safety in a Compact Package
Almost 25 years after BMW’s successful revival of the MINI, Euro NCAP testing underscores the small car’s commitment to safety. The original MINI, launched in 2001, balanced the charm of the classic model with modern safety standards. The 2002 MINI One earned a four-star rating for adult occupant protection.
Subsequent generations of the MINI hatchback have seen continuous improvements in safety, mirroring Euro NCAP’s increasing testing rigor. The new 2025 MINI Cooper E continues this trend, offering heightened protection to adult and child occupants, as well as pedestrians. It also scores highly for its active safety systems designed to help drivers avoid accidents.
The new MINI Cooper E’s five-star rating is supported by impressive scores: 89% for adult occupants, 85% for children, 77% for pedestrians (Vulnerable Road Users), and 79% for its active safety systems (Safety Assist).
Unlike the original 2001 MINI with limited safety equipment, the latest Cooper E integrates advanced features like side-impact airbags for chest and pelvic protection, a center airbag to reduce occupant injuries, and a suite of active systems. These include autonomous emergency braking, speed limit assistance, lane-changing systems, blind-spot monitoring, and cyclist detection systems that alert occupants before opening doors into the path of cyclists. The MINI’s performance demonstrates the automotive industry’s ongoing advancements in vehicle safety across all size categories.
Audi A6 e-tron Excels in Child Protection
The 2025 Audi A6 e-tron shines in Euro NCAP testing, particularly with its high level of protection for children and adults.
The five-door executive car received impressive scores of 92% for adult occupant protection and 91% for child occupant protection. Combined with the robust performance of its active driver assistance systems, the testing confirms that the Audi A6 e-tron provides a high standard of safety for families. This results in a five-star Euro NCAP rating.
This result mirrors previous generations of the Audi A6, released in 2011 and 2018, which also achieved the maximum five-star rating.
“We were impressed by the Audi A6 e-tron and the protection it afforded children as well as adults. The new model scored maximum points in our Child Occupant test, which offers peace of mind to parents who are searching for an electric family car that is as safe as it is stylish,” said Aled Williams.
