Top 10 safest cars
Many cars come with safety features fitted as standard
The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) has been testing the safety of cars since 1997. It subjects cars to a series of tests which are designed to replicate real-world crashes. It then rates the overall safety of the car as well as individual factors, including how safe adult and child occupants are, how safe pedestrians are and how effective any safety tech is.
This is the official Euro NCAP ranking of safest cars in 2024.
1. Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Adult occupant protection: 92%
Child occupant protection: 90%
Road user protection: 84%
Safety Assist tech: 87%
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is officially the safest car of 2024, according to Euro NCAP. The E-Class plug-in hybrid offers good mileage, a swish interior and a sleek exterior design.
2. Zeekr X
Adult occupant protection: 91%
Child occupant protection: 90%
Road use protection: 84%
Safety Assist tech: 83%
The Zeekr X is an electric SUV, the perfect size for urban driving. With seven airbags and internal anti-collision beams, the Zeekr X is one of the safest cars on the road.
3. Zeekr 001
Adult occupant protection: 89%
Child occupant protection: 88%
Road use protection: 84%
Safety Assist tech: 83%
This Zeekr model is an electric car, but a coupé rather than an SUV. With avant-garde exterior styling and a roomy interior, it’s the perfect cross between sportiness and practicality.
4. Skoda Superb
Adult occupant protection: 93%
Child occupant protection: 87%
Road use protection: 82%
Safety Assist tech: 80%
State-of-the-art safety tech makes the Skoda Superb one of the best cars out there. There’s 9 airbags to protect you and your passengers, as well as specially designed tech to protect infants in baby carriers. There’s also pedestrian and cyclist protection, which will stop the car in the event of an imminent collision.
5. VW Passat
Adult occupant protection: 93%
Child occupant protection: 87%
Road use protection: 82%
Safety Assist tech: 80%
The VW Passat is almost identical to the Skoda Superb under the hood, so Euro NCAP have decided to award the Passat the same safety scores as the Superb.
6. Nio EL6
Adult occupant protection: 93%
Child occupant protection: 85%
Road use protection: 78%
Safety Assist tech: 76%
The Nio EL6 is a large electric SUV, not currently available in the UK. The interior is spacious, and the car features cutting-edge technology, putting it at the forefront of electric vehicles.
7. Maxus MIFA 7
Adult occupant protection: 92%
Child occupant protection: 87%
Road use protection: 81%
Safety Assist tech: 75%
The MIFA 7 is a family SUV, capable of fitting up to seven people. It’s fitted with driver-assist technology to help keep both the driver and other cars and pedestrians as safe as possible.
8. Toyota C-HR
Adult occupant protection: 85%
Child occupant protection: 86%
Road use protection: 86%
Safety Assist tech: 79%
What makes the Toyota C-HR stand out is its driver drowsiness detection. A camera keeps an eye on the driver and, if it detects drowsiness, will alert the driver while keeping the car in the lane.
9. Skoda Kodiaq
Adult occupant protection: 89%
Child occupant protection: 83%
Road use protection: 82%
Safety Assist tech: 78%
The Kodiaq has the same safety features as the Superb in a bigger body. A 7-seater SUV, with a spacious and comfortable interior, the Kodiaq is great for family road trips.
10. Honda CR-V
Adult occupant protection: 85%
Child occupant protection: 86%
Road use protection: 80%
Safety Assist tech: 79%
The Honda CR-V, a small hybrid SUV, is full of safety features thanks to the Honda Sensing 360 safety pack. This comes with cameras and radar all the way around the car to help detect close-by vehicles or pedestrians. It also provides lane assist and collision mitigation.
If you want to make your journeys even safer, check out our blog on the best bits of safety tech.
