MINI Cooper and Aceman achieve Euro NCAP 5-star safety ratings

MINI Cooper and Aceman awarded 5 stars in Euro NCAP crash tests, confirming top safety across the latest MINI line-up.

MINI has once again underlined its reputation as a safety frontrunner. In the latest Euro NCAP crash tests, the three-door MINI Cooper and the MINI Aceman were both awarded the top rating of five stars. With this result, four models in the current MINI line-up now hold the maximum score, joining the fully electric MINI Cooper and the MINI Countryman.

The assessment highlighted the strengths of both cars. The MINI Cooper achieved 83% for adult occupant protection, 82% for child safety, 81% for pedestrian protection and 77% for safety assistance systems. The Aceman posted even stronger figures with 83% for adults, 87% for child safety, 77% for pedestrian protection and 79% for driver aids. Crucially, the rating applies to all versions, from the petrol-powered Cooper C, S and JCW to the Aceman E, SE and John Cooper Works Aceman.

These results carry weight when viewed in context. Back in 2014, the MINI Cooper received only four stars, largely due to a limited range of active safety features. Since then, Euro NCAP has tightened its protocols considerably. New requirements include frontal crashes with a mobile progressive barrier, the use of THOR-50M dummies, and a broader set of Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) scenarios involving pedestrians and cyclists. Achieving five stars under today’s tougher standards is a clear sign of MINI’s engineering progress.

Against its competitors, MINI’s position looks even stronger. The newly launched Renault 5 E-Tech secured four stars, while the latest Peugeot e-208 also failed to cross the five-star threshold. This places MINI among the leaders in the small car segment, combining style and advanced drivetrains with one of the most reliable levels of protection available.

The effectiveness of AEB systems fitted to the new models is also supported by independent studies. Research from European and German safety institutes shows that such technologies reduce pedestrian and cyclist collisions by around one fifth, with even higher benefits in certain scenarios.

Looking ahead, MINI’s plans to become an all-electric brand by 2030 suggest that safety innovation will remain a cornerstone of its strategy. BMW Group is already developing next-generation driver assistance systems designed to meet the strictest Euro NCAP demands and to pave the way towards partially automated driving.