Overview
- Euro NCAP published its first results under the 2026 protocol on Wednesday showing the BMW iX3 and Zeekr 7GT each earned five stars under the new four-stage assessment.
- The 2026 regime evaluates the full safety lifecycle in four discrete stages — Safe Driving, Crash Avoidance, Crash Protection and Post Crash — rather than focusing only on crash impact tests.
- Euro NCAP reported category scores for both cars: BMW iX3 — Safe Driving 73%, Crash Avoidance 83%, Crash Protection 86%, Post Crash 95%; Zeekr 7GT — Safe Driving 79%, Crash Avoidance 89%, Crash Protection 93%, Post Crash 95%.
- Regulators highlighted performance drivers for the top scores: reliable autonomous emergency braking and lane systems, effective driver‑monitoring, battery isolation and functioning eCall and manual door releases, and they deducted points where controls were touchscreen‑only.
- ANCAP used Euro NCAP data to name the iX3 the first five‑star vehicle under Australia’s 2026 standards and said it will publish local test outputs, signaling that global manufacturers must now balance software innovation with human‑centred controls and EV post‑crash engineering.