Car safety is continually improving, but which are the safest cars you can buy? It’s a question many of us ponder when we’re changing our car, as we’re – understandably – keen to protect everyone on board or, better still, avoid a crash happening in the first place.
That’s where Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme) comes in. Since 1997, this independent organisation has been assessing the safety of most popular new car models. As well as crash-testing cars in a lab to see how well each one protects its occupants in various types of collision, it also takes into account the active safety features fitted to a car – these are the driver assistance features that aim to prevent a collision happening at all. Each car is given an overall star rating, with a maximum of five stars for the safest cars.
The Safest Cars On Sale in 2025
- Euro NCAP and Car Safety
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class
- Audi Q6 E-Tron
- Mazda CX-80
- Skoda Superb
- Volkswagen Passat
- Porsche Macan Electric
- Toyota C-HR
- Cupra Tavascan
- Skoda Kodiaq
- Xpeng G6
Euro NCAP and Car Safety
Safety technology never stands still, with increasingly advanced features added to new cars all the time. As a result, Euro NCAP regularly changes its testing procedures to make the tests tougher and more useful. The latest major update took place in 2023. It included new night-time testing of various active safety systems, and more detailed assessments of how well a car is able to detect and avoid potential collisions with vulnerable road users – such as cyclists and motorcyclists – in a variety of situations.
To achieve a top score, cars also need to have a driver monitoring system that warns against tiredness or inattention, a system that allows the doors and windows to be opened if the car becomes submerged in water, and a system that warns if a child has been left in the car.
So which are the safest new cars that Euro NCAP have assessed? Of the 41 models tested last year, 28 achieved a maximum five-star rating. We’ve listed the top 10 here (excluding pick-ups and cars currently not on sale in the UK), in descending order of their highest overall score. This score is calculated by adding up their scores in each of the four safety categories in Euro NCAP’s assessments: Adult Occupant, Child Occupant, Vulnerable Road Users and Safety Assist.
Here, then, are some of the safest cars you can buy in the UK.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Adult Occupant Protection Score: 92%
Child Occupant Protection Score: 90%
Pedestrian Protection Score: 84%
Safety Assist Score: 87%
Overall Euro NCAP Score: 353/400
It’s no surprise to see the Mercedes-Benz E-Class topping the table here. For decades, Mercedes’ executive saloon and estate model has been synonymous with advanced safety features, and each new generation of E-Class has been at the forefront of innovation. The latest version is a case in point, with a Safety Assist score of 87% that puts the Merc 3% ahead of the next-best in this category. Overall, it's a car available with some mind-bending tech features – including a sat-nav system that has an augmented-reality display and can use AI to predict your chosen destination.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Review
Audi Q6 E-Tron
Adult Occupant Protection Score: 91%
Child Occupant Protection Score: 92%
Pedestrian Protection Score: 81%
Safety Assist Score: 80%
Overall Euro NCAP Score: 344/400
Audi’s latest electric SUV – the Q6 E-Tron – competes with all manner of rivals, and is available in standard form or as the Q6 Sportback E-Tron, a sleeker coupe-style derivative. The latter has one of the longest ranges of any electric car on sale in the UK, topping 460 miles on a full charge, according to official figures. Both versions have the same impressive safety rating from Euro NCAP, with the highest Child Occupant rating of any car on this list.
Audi Q6 E-Tron Video Review
Mazda CX-80
Adult Occupant Protection Score: 92%
Child Occupant Protection Score: 88%
Pedestrian Protection Score: 84%
Safety Assist Score: 79%
Overall Euro NCAP Score: 343/400
The Mazda CX-80 is a big SUV available with six or seven seats so it’s likely to appeal to buyers that want a practical, safe family car. It duly delivers thanks to its vast, versatile interior and an impressive Euro NCAP rating. One notable standard safety feature is ‘Unresponsive Driver Support’, which detects if the driver is asleep or experiencing a medical emergency, and can bring the car to a halt if necessary. We’re fans of the CX-80’s fuel-efficient diesel engine and high-quality interior but not quite so keen on its firm ride and high prices.
Mazda CX-80 Review
Skoda Superb
Adult Occupant Protection Score: 93%
Child Occupant Protection Score: 87%
Pedestrian Protection Score: 82%
Safety Assist Score: 80%
Overall Euro NCAP Score: 342/400
The Skoda Superb certainly feels like a big, solid car (in a good way) and that’s backed up by an excellent score in Euro NCAP’s crash tests. Of all the cars listed here, the Superb has the highest Adult Occupant safety rating. It also comes with a wealth of driver assistance features as standard. In all, the latest Superb gives you a lot of everything for your money. It’s hugely spacious inside, well-equipped and available with a range of punchy yet fuel-efficient engines.
Skoda Superb Review
Volkswagen Passat
Adult Occupant Protection Score: 93%
Child Occupant Protection Score: 87%
Pedestrian Protection Score: 82%
Safety Assist Score: 80%
Overall Euro NCAP Score: 342/400
Nope, you’re not seeing double – the latest Volkswagen Passat and Skoda Superb are essentially the same car, hence their identical Euro NCAP ratings. The two cars have different exterior styling at the front and rear, but most parts are shared and that includes the safety tech they’re available with. The Passat does have a different dashboard design, however, with fewer physical buttons and some more upmarket trim. It's also available only as an estate, whereas you can buy the Superb as an estate or hatchback. There are spec differences between the two cars, too, and you might just prefer the Volkswagen's looks and its slightly classier interior.
Volkswagen Passat Review
Porsche Macan Electric
Adult Occupant Protection Score: 90%
Child Occupant Protection Score: 90%
Pedestrian Protection Score: 83%
Safety Assist Score: 78%
Overall Euro NCAP Score: 341/400
The Porsche Macan Electric shares its basic platform and tech with the Audi Q6 E-Tron we covered earlier, so it’s not surprising that it ranks similarly highly for safety. As well as its excellent safety credentials, the Macan Electric is brilliant to drive and all versions have a battery range of more than 300 miles. It’s worth pointing out that the petrol-powered Macan is an entirely different – and far older – model. It was tested by Euro NCAP way back in 2014 and scored a maximum five stars, but that rating has expired due to the constant evolution of its tests.
Porsche Macan Electric Review
Toyota C-HR
Adult Occupant Protection Score: 85%
Child Occupant Protection Score: 86%
Pedestrian Protection Score: 86%
Safety Assist Score: 79%
Overall Euro NCAP Score: 336/400
The Toyota C-HR is the smallest car on this list yet the fact that it makes the top 10 ahead of some larger cars shows that size isn't everything when it comes to safety. Compact and sporty-looking, this second-generation C-HR is even more adventurously-styled than the first one, with its coupe-like profile and dramatic bodywork creases. The rakish design compromises rear-seat space and visibility slightly but it’s a good all-rounder that’s available with hybrid or plug-in-hybrid power.
Toyota C-HR Review
Cupra Tavascan
Adult Occupant Protection Score: 89%
Child Occupant Protection Score: 86%
Pedestrian Protection Score: 80%
Safety Assist Score: 79%
Overall Euro NCAP Score: 334/400
The Cupra Tavascan stands out for its sporty design and drive, but its excellent rating from Euro NCAP is another highlight of a very likeable – if rather expensive – car. Although its closely related to the Ford Capri, Skoda Enyaq and VW ID.4, the Tavascan has a look all of its own, with its aggressive-looking exterior and an extravagantly styled interior that featrures copper-coloured details. It’s roomy and fun to drive, while the official battery range is 299-353 miles, depending on model.
Cupra Tavascan Review
Skoda Kodiaq
Adult Occupant Protection Score: 89%
Child Occupant Protection Score: 83%
Pedestrian Protection Score: 82%
Safety Assist Score: 78%
Overall Euro NCAP Score: 332/400
The second-generation Skoda Kodiaq builds on the first model’s reputation as a solid, spacious and safe family car. It might not be the most exciting-looking car but in terms of functionality and what you get for the money it’s hard to beat. You can opt for a five-seat version with a vast boot, but most Kodiaq buyers go for the seven-seater, which still has a huge load area behind the second-row seats when the third-row seats are folded away.
Skoda Kodiaq Review
Xpeng G6
Adult Occupant Protection Score: 88%
Child Occupant Protection Score: 85%
Pedestrian Protection Score: 81%
Safety Assist Score: 75%
Overall Euro NCAP Score: 329/400
Lots of new Chinese-brand models achieved top scores in Euro NCAP’s 2024 tests, and a few outranked some of the European and Japanese models we’ve featured so far. They didn’t make this list because they weren’t available to buy in the UK at the time of writing, but the Xpeng G6 is. This mid-size SUV is roomy, well-equipped and has a high charging rate of up to 280 kW. It’s a similar size and shape to the Tesla Model Y and although it can’t quite match that car for range, the entry-level model costs about £5,000 less.
N.B: Information correct at time of publication, but is subject to change.