Safest cars
If you’ve got a young family, then safety is almost certainly your top priority when buying a car. Economy, practicality and performance all factor, but compromises cannot be made when it comes to protecting your precious cargo. So with the help of crash safety body The European New Car Assessment Programme, or Euro NCAP, we’ve put together a list of the 10 safest cars currently on sale in the UK.
Every car is scored out of 400, with 100 points available in each of the four key areas – adult occupancy, child occupancy, pedestrian protection and safety assistance systems. However, it's worth noting that if a car achieves only four stars in any one area, that's the maximum it can score overall.
So, as you’d expect, safety experts Volvo top the list with their new V40. But BMW fares well, too – with two models in the top 10. The tiny Renault Clio also impresses with an eighth place finish, while the rest of the list consists largely of crossovers and SUVs.
If you’re looking for a safe new car, look no further than our comprehensive top 10.
-
1
Volvo V40 hatchback
£18,995 - £33,875
In terms of safety, the Volvo V40 stands head and shoulders above its rivals, and, indeed, above any other car on sale today. It performed admirably in every area, registering full marks for its safety tech. Pedestrian safety is also top notch, with the world’s first external airbag helping it to a score of 88 per cent.
-
2
BMW 5 Series saloon
£30,430 - £56,315
The BMW 5 Series is the only car in this list that wasn’t new for 2012. This goes to show just how strong its initial crash test was, back in 2010. It fared well in every area – with standard equipment like traction and stability control helping it achieve near top marks across the board.
-
3
Vauxhall Mokka SUV
£15,995 - £23,490
Euro NCAP’s top-scoring crossover award goes to the Vauxhall Mokka. It’s marginally safer than the Ford Kuga for adult and child occupants and scored 100 per cent for its impressive list of safety tech. It may not be CarBuyer’s favourite SUV to drive, but you can’t fault it for crash protection.
-
4
Ford Kuga SUV
£20,895 - £29,045
Like the Vauxhall Mokka, there’s very little to fault with the Ford Kuga. Top scores across the board saw the brand-new SUV breeze to a five-star Euro NCAP result, with full marks for its extensive safety systems. Electronic stability control and a full range of airbags are standard across the range.
-
5
BMW 3 Series saloon
£23,180 - £43,555
The BMW 3 Series is the second BMW in our list, but fell just short of its bigger brother, the 5 Series. Still, a solid 95 per cent for adult occupancy means there’s very little to fault in terms of safety, while driver, passenger and side impact airbags are standard on all cars across the range.
-
6
Hyundai Santa Fe SUV
£25,850 - £27,050
A solid performance for Korean giant Hyundai means its all-new Santa Fe 4x4 secures a place in the top 10. It scored maximum points in the side impact barrier test, while the passenger compartment remained stable when subjected to frontal impact. Electronic stability control and seatbelt reminders are standard on all cars.
-
7
Audi A3 hatchback
£17,905 - £28,160
With not a single Volkswagen in the top 10, Audi has done well to ensure its Golf-based A3 remains at the top of its game when it comes to safety. The VW Golf performed well but the Audi came out on top – scoring 95 per cent for adult occupancy and gaining an impressive 74 per cent for pedestrian safety.
-
8
Renault Clio hatchback
£10,595 - £15,345
You expect bigger cars like the Hyundai Santa Fe and Ford Kuga to dominate this list, which makes the smaller Renault Clio’s appearance all the more impressive. It scored 99 per cent for its comprehensive safety technology, and an admirable 88 per cent for adult occupancy.
-
9
Mitsubishi Outlander SUV
£23,174 - £33,999
Full marks for impressive safety technology nudges the Mitsubishi Outlander into the top 10. Electronic stability control, seatbelt reminders and a driver-set speed limitation device helped the Outlander to score highly. Thanks to a solid passenger compartment, the Outlander managed an excellent 94 per cent for adult occupancy.
-
10
Subaru Forester SUV (2008-2012)
The Subaru Forester was awarded an impressive 91 per cent for child occupancy in Euro NCAP’s stringent crash tests – the highest score of any car in our current top 10. It gained the same mark for adult occupancy, cementing the Subaru’s place in this list. A host of airbags and ESP are standard on all Foresters.
Help Me Choose
perfect car, whatever your budget
Find a new car review
All models reviewed in plain English, with detailed specifications of every new car on sale in the UK