Three Chinese EVs have outscored one of their key new rivals in the latest beefed up version of the Euro NCAP safety tests. 

The Aion UT, Geely EX2 and Leapmotor B05 all scored five stars in the most recent round of tests, with the Cupra Raval only scoring four stars. The Raval’s score is upped to five stars when the car’s fitted with an optional safety pack. 

It should be noted that the Raval’s crash safety isn’t in question – it scored 91% on crash protection – but rather that it lost a significant chunk of points because electronic safety kit intended to help drivers to be safer on the roads and avoid accidents wasn’t fitted as standard. 

So the real story isn’t that Chinese EVs are safer in a crash than European cars, but rather that they’re offering enough safety tech as standard (and often cheaper than their established rivals) to get the full five stars. 

Unfortunately the latest round of Euro NCAP tests haven't revealed any upcoming MG models, a couple of have been crashed before their official launch in the last 12 months.

These were some of the first tests to be conducted under Euro NCAP’s new stricter regime, which rewards cars for safely designed physical controls and preventative safety equipment. Because indeed the best thing for everyone is not to crash in the first place. 

There was some constructive criticism for the Chinese cars, while Euro NCAP has also acknowledged the huge strides made by Chinese carmakers since it tested its first car from the country in 2010. 

Chinese manufacturers used to have a reputation for poor safety, but that’s clearly not the case anymore when you look at the mainstream cars that are being sold in the UK and Europe right now. 

There’s still room for improvement – Euro NCAP said that the Aion UT’s frontal monitoring (of pedestrians and cyclists) didn’t always work reliably, that the Geely EX2’s emergency braking system was inconsistent, and that the Leapmotor B05 would benefit from more buttons for comfort and infotainment functions. 

Aled Williams, Euro NCAP’s programme director, said: “It would be preferable for Cupra to offer active technologies as standard, but a safety pack is a compromise. By actively embracing Euro NCAP’s rigorous targets particularly this year, carmakers are showing they want to deliver safer vehicles for everyone on Europe's roads.”