The new Volkswagen ID.5 is one of seven models assessed by Euro NCAP in its latest round of crash tests, but did any of them do well enough to make our list of the 10 safest cars on sale?…
The Ford Tourneo Connect lifestyle van, Lexus NX SUV and Renault Megane E-Tech electric car have all been awarded five stars in the latest round of crash tests by Euro NCAP.
The Volkswagen ID.5 and Taigo SUVs, and the new Polo small car have also been awarded five stars, while the new BMW 2 Series Coupé scored four.
The new 2 Series Coupé scored well for crash protection and vulnerable road user (pedestrian) protection, however its Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) system performed less well, particularly in scenarios involving other cars and pedestrians. Euro NCAP said the system was also limited in scenarios such as cyclist crossings and turning across a path.
In July of this year, new vehicle safety legislation will come into force which mandates the fitment of safety systems such as AEB and speed assistance on all new vehicles.
Euro NCAP toughens up its testing every two years to encourage car makers to keep improving safety standards.
The most recent update in 2020 saw the biggest changes to tests for a decade, where it introduced a new moving barrier element to the frontal offset crash test. This replaced the frontal crash test that had been used since the programme started in 1997.
The new element not only measures likely injuries for those sitting in the near and far side of the vehicle during a crash, but it also evaluates how much of a risk the car’s front-end structure poses to the vehicle it hits.
Other updates in 2020 included a new side-impact (with stronger mass) to the passenger side to assess passenger movement and injury, as well as new scenarios to test AEB systems.
So far, 53 cars have been put through the new, more stringent safety tests.
Here we take a look at the top 10 performers so far.
The top 10 safest cars
10. Volkswagen ID.3
Adult occupant protection 87% Child occupant protection 89% Pedestrian protection 71% Safety Assist 88%
Total Euro NCAP score 335/400
The ID.3 is Volkswagen’s new fully electric family hatchback, and it scores well with both us and Euro NCAP. The crash testers praised the car’s tough structure and restraints for how well they protect occupants in an accident, and the fact that all models have AEB, an advanced e-Call system and technology that applies the car’s brakes after an accident.
9. Skoda Enyaq
Adult occupant protection 94% Child occupant protection 89% Pedestrian protection 71% Safety Assist 82%
Total Euro NCAP score 336/400
Although it’s very similar under the skin to the Volkswagen ID.4, the Enyaq doesn’t manage quite such a strong performance for safety. It’s just as proficient at protecting its occupants, but drops five percentage points for protecting vulnerable road users and its active safety systems score slightly lower. That said, it’s still one of the safest new cars you can buy, gaining an impressively high Euro NCAP overall test score.
=6. Mercedes EQS
Adult occupant protection 96% Child occupant protection 91% Pedestrian protection 76% Safety Assist 80%
Total Euro NCAP score 343/400
The EQS is an electric luxury limousine that gives those who want to go green an alternative to the existing Mercedes S-Class. It can manage up to 478 miles between charges, while Euro NCAP awarded it the highest adult occupant protection score of any car tested in 2021, along with a very strong rating for child occupant protection.
=6. Volkswagen ID.5
Adult occupant protection 93% Child occupant protection 89% Pedestrian protection 76% Safety Assist 85%
Total Euro NCAP score 343/400
The Volkswagen ID.5 is essentially a sleeker-looking sibling to the Volkswagen ID.4 electric SUV, and under the skin they are very similar, with an almost identical interior and the same 77kWh battery. This particularly shows with their safety, because both cars have achieved the same score.
=6. Volkswagen ID.4
Adult occupant protection 93% Child occupant protection 89% Pedestrian protection 76% Safety Assist 85%
Total Euro NCAP score 343/400
The ID.4 is the second model in Volkswagen’s new pure-electric line-up, following on from the smaller ID.3. The larger car is more practical for families and performed even better than its sibling in crash tests. As well as a robust structure that protects both the occupants and the battery pack well, the ID.4 comes with a full suite of airbags, including a front centre one that mitigates injuries in side impacts. It is also fitted with a local hazard warning system as standard.
5. Lexus NX
Adult occupant protection 91% Child occupant protection 87% Pedestrian protection 73% Safety Assist 81%
Total Euro NCAP score 344/400
As a company which has been in the self-charging hybrid game for much of its history, it may come as a surpriser that the new NX is the first Lexus to be available as a plug-in hybrid. But it’s certainly been worth the wait – because the new NX 450h+ is one of the best plug-in hybrids on sale with its impressive refinement, substantial pure electric range, low CO2 emissions and low company car tax rate. It’s also scored impressively well in the most recent round of safety tests with high scores in each category.
4. Genesis G80
Adult occupant protection 91% Child occupant protection 87% Pedestrian protection 77% Safety Assist 91%
Total Euro NCAP score 346/400
The G80 matches the excellent adult occupant and child occupant protection scores of its bigger stablemate, the GV80 SUV. While its safety assist score wasn’t quite as good, it is significantly better at protecting pedestrians because it has an active bonnet that automatically pops up to cushion them and stop them striking the engine.
=2. Nissan Qashqai
Adult occupant protection 91% Child occupant protection 91% Pedestrian protection 70% Safety Assist 95%
Total Euro NCAP score 347/400
Another high scorer with Euro NCAP, the Qashqai achieved a Safety Assist rating of 95%, with this equalled only by the Subaru Outback, which was tested in September 2021. We reckon the middle of the range is where the best value lies, because the cheaper trims (especially Visia) are stingily equipped and range-topping models are rather pricey.
=2. Polestar 2
Adult occupant protection 92% Child occupant protection 89% Pedestrian protection 80% Safety Assist 86%
Total Euro NCAP score 347/400
Polestar’s second car is a thrillingly quick electric hatchback with a plush interior and a decent range. As well as a strong rating for adult occupant protection, it scored an impressive 80% for minimising injury to vulnerable road users thanks to its standard pop-up bonnet. It was also praised for the high level of its active safety systems and the fact that it gives owners the ability to make their car even safer in the future with over-the-air software updates.
1. Subaru Outback
Adult occupant protection 88% Child occupant protection 89% Pedestrian protection 84% Safety Assist 95%
Total Euro NCAP score 356/400
If you’re looking for genuine all-weather abilities, a hugely practical interior and tonnes of safety technology, the Outback is definitely worth considering. Indeed, the list of kit that it comes with includes AEB, lane-keeping assistance, traffic sign recognition, blindspot monitoring and a rear cross-traffic alert system to warn of objects crossing your path while backing up. All of this helped it to the highest overall Euro NCAP score of any car tested since the latest, toughened up testing regime was introduced.
Keyword: The safest cars on sale today