If you’ve ever felt a bit uneasy handing over control to your car’s assisted driving systems, you’re not alone. Fresh results from Euro NCAP suggest some carmakers are doing a much better job of earning your trust than others.
Nine cars were assessed under Euro NCAP’s latest Assisted Driving Grading programme. This is a series of independent tests that examines not just whether these systems work in theory, but whether they’re safe, intuitive, and genuinely helpful on real roads. The results? A clear divide between the best and worst systems on sale in 2025, with some surprising names at both ends.
Who came out on top?
The Kia EV3, Renault 5 E-Tech, Toyota bZ4X, and Porsche Macan all scored the top ‘Very Good’ rating for assisted driving – balancing effective driver support with robust safety backup and clear communication.
In particular, the Porsche Macan stood out with impressive scores across the board – 85% for Assistance Competence and 92% for Safety Backup. Testers praised how clearly the system explains its capabilities, how intuitively it balances steering between human and machine, and how seamlessly it encourages proper driver engagement.
That’s a pattern repeated in more affordable models too. Renault’s clever little 5 E-Tech and Kia’s new EV3 both impressed testers with clear displays, unobtrusive but firm driver monitoring, and logical, responsive lane-keeping and cruise control systems.
Tesla and Volvo stumble where it counts
By contrast, the Tesla Model S and Volvo EX30 received a ‘Moderate’ rating – the same as the MG ZS, despite both being brands that trade heavily on their reputations for safety.
The Tesla’s so-called ‘Autopilot’ system was marked down heavily for how it’s communicated to drivers. Despite offering strong safety backup (scoring 94%), its name and promotional material suggest full autonomy – which it absolutely doesn’t deliver. Euro NCAP also found the steering system to be difficult to override, and that it disengages unhelpfully when a driver does try to take control.
Volvo’s EX30 came under fire for relying too heavily on its central touchscreen, meaning drivers need to look away from the road to check alerts. Worse still, the car failed to fully deactivate its assistance system even after repeated hands-off warnings, which testers deemed a potentially dangerous oversight.
What this means for you
Assisted driving systems are now common in everything from hatchbacks to premium SUVs – and while they can make driving more relaxing, they’re not autonomous. You’re still legally and practically responsible for driving at all times, even if the car is steering and adjusting speed for you.
What Euro NCAP’s tests show is that it’s not just whether the systems work that matters – it’s how they work with the driver. Systems that are confusing, misleading or inconsistent risk lulling people into a false sense of security. And as we’ve seen, the consequences can be serious.
Editor’s View: more tech doesn’t always mean more safety
Euro NCAP’s latest findings reinforce something I’ve been saying for a while. Clever tech is only useful if it actually makes life easier for drivers in the real world. I’ve tested cars with brilliant assisted driving systems, and others that feel like you’re arguing with a robot every time you change lanes. Guess which ones leave you feeling safer?
Tesla’s tech might be clever behind the scenes, but if it’s confusing to use, what’s the point? And the idea of calling something ‘Autopilot’ when it still expects you to be fully in control just seems reckless, and laughable.
On the other hand, it’s great to see budget-friendly models like the Kia EV3 and Renault 5 E-Tech showing how this technology should be done. Clear prompts, responsive controls, no unnecessary drama. That’s what drivers want.
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