Safe Compact Car in China's Impact Test: Nio Firefly Tops List
Nio Firefly Sets New Benchmark for Small Car Safety in China
The Nio Firefly, a compact car produced by Nio Inc., has made a significant impact in the automotive industry by achieving the highest safety results in the latest China Insurance Automotive Safety Index (C-IASI) evaluation.
In this evaluation, the Firefly is the smallest vehicle (4,003 mm length) among 161 models tested, yet it managed to earn the top-tier G+ (Good+) rating across multiple key safety indexes, including Occupant Safety, Pedestrian Safety, and Auxiliary Safety. This is particularly noteworthy as the Firefly stands out for achieving this high safety standard despite the structural challenges that come with its short front and rear overhangs, which limit crumple zones in the event of a collision.
The Firefly's philosophy, according to Daniel Jin, president of the Nio sub-brand, is to build the safest small cars for global users. This philosophy is evident in the Firefly's design, which incorporates intelligent vehicle design, strong hardware, premium materials, and a robust airbag system that includes nine airbags — more than luxury large SUVs like BMW X7 or Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
In direct comparison with other brands tested in the latest C-IASI batch, the Firefly, along with the ONVO L60, received top ratings of G/G+/G+/G+ across crashworthiness, occupant protection, pedestrian protection, and safety assist. Other vehicles like Volkswagen Magotan and Dongfeng-Nissan Pathfinder also scored good ratings, but the Firefly stands out for achieving this at a much smaller size.
The Firefly's safety performance is also enhanced by additional features such as enhanced C-IASI test protocols since 2025, which include stricter frontal offset collision tests and heavier side impact barriers, both of which the Firefly passed successfully. The Firefly also comes with a standard Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system and advanced occupant protection airbags, including front, side, curtain, and a front center airbag for mitigating side impact injuries.
The Nio Firefly's production line adjustments have been completed, and production will ramp up this week, with deliveries set to accelerate further. European deliveries for the Firefly will begin soon. The Firefly's impressive safety results indicate Nio Inc's aim to create small cars with high safety standards, setting a new benchmark in small car safety in China.
However, it's important to note that cost and size constraints of small cars make it challenging to achieve higher safety standards. But the Firefly team accomplished this through smart overall vehicle design, powerful hardware capabilities, and high-quality materials.
[1] C-IASI Evaluation Report 2025 (Available on C-IASI website) [2] Nio Firefly Safety Features (Nio Inc. official website) [3] Nio Firefly Safety Performance (Automotive News China) [4] C-IASI Evaluation Comparison Report 2025 (Automotive News China) [5] Infant-Safety Standards for Interior Materials (China National Health Commission)
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