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Volkswagen T-Cross Euro NCAP score drops to three stars

Phill Tromans
Thu, 16 Oct 2025
  • VW T-Cross drops to three-star rating in latest Euro NCAP assessment
  • Five-star ratings for Audi Q3, BMW X3, Skoda Octavia and more
  • DS No8 scores four stars out of five

The Volkswagen T-Cross has scored a disappointing three-star Euro NCAP rating after being reassessed in the latest round of tests by the independent safety organisation.

Formerly a five-star car when first tested back in 2019, the VW T-Cross was subjected to updated, more stringent test criteria for the retest.

Its rating drop was largely due to a "marginal" performance in the Safety Assist section of the test – it scored an underwhelming 57% because of its automatic emergency braking system not performing particularly well in certain situations regarding pedestrian and cyclist safety.

The Volkswagen T-Cross also scored a mediocre 60% for the safety of vulnerable road users. However, it did score relatively well in adult occupant protection (74%) and child occupant protection (81%).

Other cars reassessed for 2025 included the VW Golf, the VW ID.4 and the Skoda Octavia, all of which were awarded five stars.

2025 DS No8

Another car that failed to score the maximum five stars was the DS No8, which scored well for child occupant protection (85%) and protection of vulnerable road users (80%), with a 76% mark for adult occupant protection. However, a safety assist score of 65% dropped it down a star, because of a lack of occupant detection system for the rear-seat seatbelts.

Scoring the maximum five stars in the latest round of tests were the new Audi Q3, the BMW X3, the Cadillac Optiq (due on UK shores in 2026), the IM IM5 and the Mazda6e, as well as the forthcoming MG S6 EV. 

Ask HJ

Is the Citroen C4 Cactus safe?

Please advise if a used Citroen C4 Cactus is a good buy, given its 4-star Euro NCAP rating. I think this is due to the absence of autonomous emergency braking (AEB) when tested in 2014. Should this deter us? I think it gained AEB in a later facelift. Do you know when this happened, so I can look for cars from this date which had AEB?
The Citroen C4 Cactus is an appealing car with a spacious interior and a quirky feel like Citroens of the past. It was awarded four stars by Euro NCAP when it was tested in 2014, and it did fail to achieve five stars on account of lacking more modern safety features. This was addressed in the facelifted version that was launched in 2018, and you can spot facelifted versions by the larger front grille that runs between the daytime running lights.
Answered by David Ross
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