Outright safety is a key consideration for many people when buying a new car. Ensuring your car provides plenty of protection in the event of an incident is crucial, while making sure a vehicle boasts pedestrian-friendly safety measures is good to know too.
Thanks to recent safety tests from Euro NCAP, we've got a good idea about some of the safest cars on sale today – so let's check them out...
1. BMW iX
BMW's new flagship electric car – the iX – scored a full five stars in recent Euro NCAP safety tests. It scored particularly well for adult occupant protection, returning a 91% score for this, while its child occupant safety score of 87% was also good.
It was also praised for its numerous safety assist systems, including an active bonnet that can cushion the blow for a pedestrian in the instance of a collision and its comprehensive automatic emergency braking system.
2. Mercedes-Benz EQS
It wasn't just BMW's flagship EV that did well in recent safety tests. Mercedes-Benz's range-topping EQS also scored a full five stars under examination recently. The luxury saloon returned an adult occupant safety rating of 96%, while child occupant safety was also excellent with a score of 91%.
A full suite of assistance systems helped it gain an 80% score for safety assist, while its protection against vulnerable road users was rated at 76%.
3. Skoda Fabia
It wasn't just high-end electric cars that scored well recently. Skoda has a good reputation for safety and its latest Fabia only extended this further, with its five-star rating. Marks of 85% and 81% were recorded for adult occupant and child occupant protection respectively, showing this compact car could easily compete with the bigger cars here.
It also scored an impressive 70% for vulnerable road user protection. It missed out on the safety assist top marks, as it lacks active bonnet technology or emergency braking when in reverse.
4. Genesis G70
Genesis might be a relative newcomer to the UK, but it is already making great strides through its steady stream of new models, which, according to recent tests, are very safe too. The new G70 scored a full five stars too – impressive given it's not based on a brand-new platform.
Euro NCAP awarded it 89% for adult occupant protection, as well as 87% for child occupant protection. It did particularly well in terms of safety assistance technology too, receiving a score of 88%.
5. Volkswagen Caddy
The award of five stars to Volkswagen's Caddy shows it's not just conventionally shaped cars that can do well in terms of safety. The MPV Caddy might have spaciousness and practicality on its side, but recent tests show it to be a very safe option too.
In fact, it scored 84% for adult occupant protection and 82% for child occupant protection. Tests also revealed the Caddy offered good protection to children sitting in a variety of different car seats across all three rows of seats.
6. Ford Mustang Mach-e
Ford's Mustang Mach-e was yet another large EV to return a full five stars in recent tests. It received a 92% score for adult occupant protection, alongside 86% for child occupant safety.
Tests revealed that the passenger compartment of the Mach-e 'remained stable' when the car was subjected to a front offset impact test, with dummies showcasing the car's good protection of occupants' knees.
7. Toyota Yaris Cross
Toyota's quirky Yaris Cross did impressively well in recent tests. It's particularly note-worthy because of the car's compact size and relatively diminutive footprint on the road: this didn't stop it from scoring 86% for adult occupant safety and 84% for child occupant safety.
It also scored full points for rescue and extrication thanks to its multi-collision brake system and eCall technology, which can automatically inform the emergency services if the vehicle is involved in an incident.
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