What are the safest cars on sale in the UK in 2024?
Some regard safety as the most important feature when buying a new car. Here are the UK's 10 safest cars
No matter who you are or how far you drive, choosing the safest car will most likely be a major priority.
Before going on sale, every car is put through strict safety tests run by the European New Car Assessment Programme, or Euro NCAP for short. It is judged from zero to five stars, based on scores for adult and child occupant protection, plus how well it protects vulnerable road users, and the strength of its safety systems.
But which cars are the safest you can buy today? Read on to find out.
*10 safest cars on sale in the UK*
*1. Tesla Model S*
*Adult occupant protection: *94%
*Child occupant protection:* 91%
*Pedestrian protection: *85%
*Safety assist: *98%
*Total Euro NCAP score: *368/400
The safest car on sale in the UK today is the Tesla Model S, which scores similarly to the larger Model Y but beat its electric sibling by four points. It came out on top with superb scores for child occupant protection and pedestrian protection. It excelled thanks to its performance in frontal, side and rear whiplash tests, plus its credentials for rescue, extrication and post-crash safety.
*Read our complete Tesla Model S review*
*2. Tesla Model Y*
*Adult occupant protection: *97%
*Child occupant protection:* 87%
*Pedestrian protection: *82%
*Safety assist: *98%
*Total Euro NCAP score: *364/400
The Tesla Model Y is one of the world’s safest crossovers, according to Euro NCAP. It scores a near-perfect 98% for safety assist - the joint-highest score for the category. It also scored 97% for adult occupant protection, 87% for child occupant protection and a respectable 82% for its protection of pedestrians.
*Read our complete Tesla Model Y review*
*3. Lexus RX*
*Adult occupant protection:* 90%
*Child occupant protection:* 87%
*Pedestrian protection:* 89%
*Safety assist:* 91%
*Total Euro NCAP score:* 357/400
The RX matches the smaller NX for its safety assist score, but offers more protection to pedestrians, according to Euro NCAP. A score of 357 out of 400 means it's the third-safest car on sale today. Similar to other Lexus models, its interior is excellent and it combines real-world efficiency with accessible performance to good effect.
*Read our complete Lexus RX review*
*4. Subaru Outback*
*Adult occupant protection: *88%
*Child occupant protection: *89%
*Pedestrian protection: *84%
*Safety assist:* 95%
*Total Euro NCAP score:* 356/400
The sixth-generation Subaru Outback also achieved a 95% safety assist score, with equally impressive figures all round. It starts from £36,990 in the UK, for which you get lane assist, blindspot monitoring and traffic sign recognition as standard - not to mention decent off-road ability.
*Read our complete Subaru Outback review *
*5. Lexus NX*
*Adult occupant protection: *91%
*Child occupant protection:* 87%
*Pedestrian protection: *83%
*Safety assist: *91%
*Total Euro NCAP score: *352/400
WIth an overall NCAP score of 352 out of 400, the Lexus NX builds on the Japanese firm’s reputation for safety. It excelled across the board, with 91% for adult occupants and 87% for child occupants, meaning it could be the ideal choice as a safety-geared family SUV. It’s also a very drivable car, with keen steering and handling, while the interior is as plush as it gets.
*Read our complete Lexus NX review*
*6. Mercedes EQE*
*Adult occupant protection:* 95%
*Child occupant protection: *91%
*Pedestrian protection: *83%
*Safety assist:* 81%
*Total Euro NCAP score:* 350/400
Another car with all of its scores above 80%, the Mercedes EQE scored exceptionally well for 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. It also offers a range of up to 394 miles, with prices starting from over £70,000.
*Read our complete Mercedes EQE review*
*7. Nissan Qashqai*
*Adult occupant protection:* 91%
*Child occupant protection: *91%
*Pedestrian protection:* 70%
*Safety assist: *95%
*Total Euro NCAP score: *347/400
The Qashqai was one of the best-selling cars in the UK last year, and its safety credentials will be one of the reasons why. The crossover lost some marks for its average vulnerable road user protection score with no active bonnet technology, but its safety assist rating of 95% is among the highest achieved by any car on sale today.
*Read our complete Nissan Qashqai review*
*8. 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 should be near the top of your list if you want a car with good adult protection and safety assist technology. Available both as an EV and with an internal combustion engine, the G80 achieved its five-star score back in 2021 with particular praise its frontal impact protection and active bonnet technology.
*Read our complete Genesis G80 review*
*9. Polestar 2*
*Adult occupant protection:* 93%
*Child occupant protection: *89%
*Pedestrian protection: *80%
*Safety assist:* 83%
*Total Euro NCAP score: *345/400
Polestar’s second car is one of the safest, scoring a total of 345 out of 400 in Euro NCAP’s safety tests. Its active safety systems were praised, as was its adult occupant protection. It’s one of the few cars you can buy today with all of its scores rated at or above 80%. An excellent pick for a safe electric car.
*Read our complete Polestar 2 review*
*10. Subaru Solterra*
*Adult occupant protection: *88%
*Child occupant protection:* 87%
*Pedestrian protection: *79%
*Safety assist: *91%
*Total Euro NCAP score:* 345/400
Essentially the same car as the Toyota bZ4X but with its own bespoke styling, the Subaru Solterra scored an identical safety score to its sibling. You should also consider the Soltera for its comfortable ride, user-friendly layout and decent off-road ability.
*Read our complete Subaru Solterra review*