WHEN choosing your next car safety is very often a big consideration – and these are the 10 safest vehicles money can buy.
Before any car is put on the market it has to go through a series of strict safety tests run by the European New Car Assessment Programme, (Euro NCAP).
Vehicles are judged from zero to five stars, based on scores for adult and child occupant protection, as well as how well it protects vulnerable road users and the strength of its safety systems, Autocar reports.
Here are the 10 safest cars you can buy in the UK today.
Tesla Model S
Adult occupant protection: 94%
Child occupant protection: 91%
Pedestrian protection: 85%
Safety assist: 98%
Total Euro NCAP score: 368/400
The Tesla Model S is the safest car on UK roads, beating its larger Model Y sibling by a narrow margin of four points.
It managed over 90 per cent for both child and adult occupant protection.
The EV also excelled in frontal, side and rear whiplash tests, plus its credentials for rescue, extrication and post-crash safety.
Read our review of the Tesla Model S.
Tesla Model Y
Adult occupant protection: 97%
Child occupant protection: 87%
Pedestrian protection: 82%
Safety assist: 98%
Total Euro NCAP score: 364/400
Tesla also claimed the second spot with its Model Y, one of the world’s safest crossovers, according to the Euro NCAP figures.
It gained a hefty 98 per cent for safety assist and also scored 97 per cent for adult occupant protection.
Child occupant protection came in at 87 per cent while it was awarded 82 per cent for pedestrian protection.
Read our review of the Tesla Model Y.
Lexus RX
Adult occupant protection: 90%
Child occupant protection: 87%
Pedestrian protection: 89%
Safety assist: 91%
Total Euro NCAP score: 357/400
The Lexus RX is the third-safest car on Britain’s roads today, with the RX matching the smaller NX in its safety assist score of 91 per cent.
But the RX does better with its protection to pedestrians, according to the Euro NCAP data.
As with other Lexus models, it provides an excellent interior combined with efficiency and performance.
Read our review of the Lexus RX.
Subaru Outback
Adult occupant protection: 88%
Child occupant protection: 89%
Pedestrian protection: 84%
Safety assist: 95%
Total Euro NCAP score: 356/400
The Subaru Outback gained a decent score in every category but excelled in the safety assist, giving it an overall score of 356 out of 400.
With prices starting at £36,990, for your money you get lane assist, blindspot monitoring and traffic sign recognition as standard – as well as decent off-road ability.
Read our review of the Subaru Outback.
Lexus NX
Adult occupant protection: 91%
Child occupant protection: 87%
Pedestrian protection: 83%
Safety assist: 91%
Total Euro NCAP score: 352/400
The Lexus NX performed strongly in each category, giving it an overall score of 352 out of 400.
With adult occupant protection at 91 per cent and child occupants at 87 per cent, this could prove to be an ideal family SUV for those who are safety-minded.
It’s also great to drive with keen steering and handling as well as a plush interior.
Read our review of the Lexus NX.
Mercedes EQE
Adult occupant protection: 95%
Child occupant protection: 91%
Pedestrian protection: 83%
Safety assist: 81%
Total Euro NCAP score: 350/400
Another car scoring well across the board as the Mercedes-Benz EQE with the EV doing particularly well in adult protection.
It features the firm’s Car-to-X communication system, which communicates with other cars and informs drivers of potentially dangerous road situations.
The EQE also has a range of up to 394 miles although to drive one you’ll have to fork out more than £70,000.
Read our review of the Mercedes EQE.
Nissan Qashqai
Adult occupant protection: 91%
Child occupant protection: 91%
Pedestrian protection: 70%
Safety assist: 95%
Total Euro NCAP score: 347/400
The Nissan Qashqai was one of the best selling cars in the UK in 2023 and its strong safety record will no doubt have impressed many buyers.
The popular crossover though dipped in the pedestrian category with no active bonnet technology, but its safety assist rating of 95 per cent is among the best achieved by any car on the road today.
Read our review of the Nissan Qashqai.
Genesis G80
Adult occupant protection: 91%
Child occupant protection: 87%
Pedestrian protection: 77%
Safety assist: 91%
Total Euro NCAP score: 346/400
The Genesis G80 performed particularly strongly both in the adult occupant protection and safety assist categories, getting 91 per cent for each.
The car is available either as an EV or with an internal combustion engine.
It achieved the score in 2021 with particular praise given to its frontal impact protection and active bonnet technology.
Read our review of the Genesis G80.
Polestar 2
Adult occupant protection: 93%
Child occupant protection: 89%
Pedestrian protection: 80%
Safety assist: 83%
Total Euro NCAP score: 345/400
Coming in with an overall score of 345 out of 400 was the Polestar 2 in Euro NCAP’s safety tests.
Particularly praised were its active safety systems as well as its adult occupant protection.
It makes an excellent choice as a safe electric vehicle.
Read our review of the Polestar 2.
Subaru Solterra
Adult occupant protection: 88%
Child occupant protection: 87%
Pedestrian protection: 79%
Safety assist: 91%
Total Euro NCAP score: 345/400
Read more on the Irish Sun
The Subaru Solterra is essentially the same vehicle as the Toyota bZ4X but with its own styling.
As well as its safety features it also offers a comfortable ride, decent off-road performance and a user-friendly layout.
