Every car that's tested is given a percentage for each category and then an overall star rating out of five. All the cars on our list achieved a five-star rating in the last two years, apart from the Volvo V40, which scored a never-beaten set of scores back in 2012.
Volvo XC90 SUV
Volvo is most famous for the safety of its cars and the innovative features it develops to keep occupants as safe as possible. All that expertise and ingenuity has been put to excellent use in the development of the new Volvo XC90, which is the safest car on the road today. It scored 97% in the adult occupant category, 87% in the child occupant category and 100% for its safety assist systems. Other cars have beaten its 72% score for pedestrian safety, but the large SUV bodystyle is one of the most challenging for designers, as it's inherently more difficult to make the shape safe for pedestrians involved in accidents compared to smaller, lower cars.
Volvo V40 hatchback
The Volvo V40 matches the larger XC90 in every category but it’s bumped into second because it wasn’t tested under the latest and strictest Euro NCAP regulations. Despite that, it’s very hard to ignore that the V40 scored extremely highly in all four categories. It got a 98% rating for adult occupant protection, scored 100% in the safety assist category and an innovative external pedestrian airbag helped it score a record 88% for pedestrian protection. Although the V40 is the only car in this list not to have been tested over the last 12 months, its incredible score means it still takes second place.
Land Rover Discovery Sport SUV
The Land Rover Discovery Sport is certainly an improvement on the Freelander model it replaced, managing to beat its predecessor in several departments including safety. The Discovery Sport’s best score was 93% for adult occupant protection but child occupant protection was only marginally behind (as it usually is) and an 82% score for safety assist was won because of the car’s very effective autonomous braking system, which reduces the likelihood and severity of a low-speed accident.
Mercedes C-Class saloon
The Mercedes C-Class features a raft of cutting-edge electronic safety systems to ensure that you aren’t just well protected in an accident but you’re also more likely to avoid getting into one. Euro NCAP applauded Mercedes' PRE-SAFE system, which tightens the seatbelts and alters the position of the front seats to offer occupants the best protection. Another of the C-Class’s systems alerts you if it detects you’re getting drowsy behind the wheel. Safety electronics aside, the C-Class is strongly built, leading it to achieve scores of 92% for adult occupant protection and 84% for child occupant protection.
Mercedes GLA-Class SUV
Despite being very similar to the Mercedes A-Class under the skin, the Mercedes GLA achieved a better score from Euro NCAP despite newer, more stringent test conditions. It scored top marks in tests designed to simulate a side impact collision, as well as high scores in all other parts of the adult occupant protection test, gaining a 96% score as a result. The GLA also scored 88% for child occupant protection. In this category, it benefitted from two rear ISOFIX child-seat mounting points and automatic deactivation of the front passenger airbag when a child seat is fixed to a further ISOFIX mount. A 70% safety assistance score was slightly below par, though.
Nissan Qashqai SUV
Few cars offer such comprehensive protection for the driver as the Nissan Qashqai. The current model scored full marks for driver protection, while adult passengers are protected almost as well, earning it a respectable 88% score in this area. The Qashqai also scored full marks for its protection of an 18-month-old child, helping it to an 83% overall score for child safety. The Qashqai features ISOFIX child-seat mounting points on the two outermost rear seats and if a child seat is fitted in the front passenger seat, the corresponding airbag can be deactivated.
Nissan X-Trail SUV
The second Nissan in the list is the seven-seat Nissan X-Trail SUV and its scores are strikingly similar to those achieved by the Qashqai. It scored 88% for adult occupant protection, and was rated impressively for its protection from a side impact. The X-Trail’s 83% score for child occupant protection matches the Qashqai’s, while this model also has ISOFIX mounting points on the two outer seats in the rear, as well as the front passenger seat. Although the X-Trail scored well for its electronic safety equipment, the lack of seatbelt reminder buzzers for the third row of seats counted against it.
Subaru Outback estate
The Subaru Outback has a reputation as a reliable, tough and comfortable workhorse, but its inclusion in a list of our safest cars is a bit of a surprise. Nevertheless, its 85% score for adult protection and 87% score for child safety is very good. The Outback provides good protection in a front-end crash, but it performs even better in a side impact. Its child protection score impressed even more, thanks in part to a passenger airbag that automatically activates only when a passenger of the correct size is in the seat. Subaru’s EyeSight automatic.
Volkswagen Passat saloon
The current Volkswagen Passat comprehensively beat the already brilliant score achieved by the previous model – and there isn’t a single area where it doesn’t impress. Once again, adult occupants are well protected from front and side impacts, while the Passat’s headrests do a good job of reducing whiplash injuries. Tthe car’s 87% score for child protection is very respectable, giving family buyers peace of mind that the Passat is a very safe car for children.
Jeep Renegade SUV
Despite the all-American name, which conjures up images of big 4x4s, the Jeep Renegade is actually a Fiat 500X under the metal. And Fiat tends to score more five-star results with Euro NCAP than Jeep. The Renegade was rated 87% for adult protection, but was marked down due to “marginal” protection for whiplash. As in the rest of the cars on this list, you can disable the front passenger airbag to safely install a rearward-facing child seat, plus there’s a pair of ISOFIX mounting points in the rear seats. That resulted in an 85% child protection score. A speed limiter and automatic emergency braking system secured the Renegade a 74% score for safety assistance.
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