UK's safest new cars

Thanks to stringent legislation and exhaustive testing, new cars have never been safer. But which are the best?

The European New Car Assessment programme – Euro NCAP – tests the safety of all the UK's new vehicles and marks their performance with a simple star rating system. With cars reviewed and rated for adult and child protection, plus pedestrian impact and safety assist, the programme looks at all areas of safety. Here we name a range of the top performing cars in 2012.

Source: Euro NCAP

Volkswagen Golf hatchback

£16,425 - £24,190

4.5 /5

The Golf exudes quality and badge appeal. It’s not as much fun to drive as a Ford Focus, but instead the Golf majors on comfort and luxury. The range is comprehensive, offering everything from a super-economical BlueMotion model to the rapid R high performance flagship.

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Chevrolet Cruze hatchback

£13,995 - £20,305

3.9 /5

Aimed at the likes of the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra, the Chevrolet Cruz is the American firm's latest and best handling hatchback. We doubt its looks, quality or performance will cause the likes of the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf to lose any sleep. But it’s very safe for adult occupants and represents a big leap forward for Chevrolet.

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BMW 5 Series saloon

£30,030 - £55,900

5.0 /5

Despite a sharper focus on comfort, BMW’s latest 5 Series saloon is still a popular choice for business buyers looking for a sporting executive model. And although it looks plainer, the new 5 Series is safer, highly sophisticated and more desirable than ever before.

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Vauxhall Astra hatchback

£19,825 - £20,840

4.1 /5

The Vauxhall Astra is as British as fish and chips and is one of the safest cars available. It’s built at firm’s UK plant and features a quality and solidity that’s right up there with the Volkswagen Golf. On the road, its comfort rivals the Ford Focus, all of which means the Astra is a very strong contender in the family hatchback market.

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Lexus CT hatchback

£23,786 - £30,986

3.7 /5

Packed with technology the Lexus CT200h is a premium hybrid hatchback that is Road Tax exempt and free from the London Congestion charge. In addition to low running costs, Lexus can also be proud of offering buyers one of the UK's safest cars.

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Audi Q3 SUV

£25,065 - £31,870

4.7 /5

The Q3 is Audi's smallest SUV - and rivals cars like the Mini Countryman and the new Range Rover Evoque. It's beautifully made but is awkwardly styled compared to other Audis. Low running costs and a reasonably versatile cabin make it a reasonable choice for families - you can buy much more for less in cars like the Kia Sportage or Volkswagen Tiguan however.

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Hyundai i40 saloon

£17,400 - £24,900

4.5 /5

It's hard to find fault with the Hyundai i40 saloon, as it beats rivals hands-down for the amount of equipment you get for the money. Prices for lower-spec versions are very competitive, while equipment levels are generous. Even entry-level models get air-conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity and 16-inch alloy wheels.

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Skoda Yeti SUV

£14,945 - £24,210

4.7 /5

As you'd expect from CarBuyer's Best Family Car 2011, the Skoda Yeti is a great all-rounder. Well built, fun to drive and with a brilliantly designed cabin, the Skoda Yeti is also a Euro NCAP five-star car.

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Toyota iQ city car

£10,815 - £13,985

4.5 /5

Surprisingly for a such a small car the Toyota iQ scored 91% in Euro NCAP adult occupant safety tests. The clever cabin design and compact packaging combines to provide a very useful city car that can park in the smallest of spaces.

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Alfa Romeo Giulietta hatchback

£17,760 - £25,520

3.9 /5

The Alfa Romeo Giulietta is the safest family hatchback the firm has ever made. Buyers are offered plenty of choice, with four trim levels - each of which is well equipped - and five engines, all of them economical. It’s good looking, and the interior strikes a good balance between user-friendly simplicity and appealing style.

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