Posted on 22 May 2018

Over the generations, car manufacturers have designed models with enhanced safety features. From the introduction of airbags as an early improvement, to the more recent anti-lock braking systems, electronic stability control, park assist, voice controls and forward collision warnings.

The newer vehicles on the market are now significantly safer than older models. When buying a new car, safety features are often high on the priority list for buyers.

Using the European New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP), we’ve compiled the run-down of the safest cars new to the market in 2017, to help you make an informed decision:

 (Source: Euro NCAP)

According to Euro NCAP, a 5-star award (the highest possible), means the vehicle has ‘overall good performance in crash protection. Well equipped with robust crash avoidance technology’.

Previous safety winners

NCAP has a limit for the number of cars it tests in a year. Sometimes a specific year doesn’t have enough participants competing to award a winner. Previous winners for 2017 categories without a declared winner are:

2016 Safest Large Family Car – Toyota Prius

2015 Safest Large MPV – Ford Galaxy

2015 Safest Convertible – Mazda MX-5

How do Euro NCAP rate these cars?

The Euro NCAP gives an overall car safety rating after evaluating four areas:

• Adult Occupant Protection
• Child Occupant Protection
• Pedestrian/Vulnerable Road User Protection (e.g. cyclist)
• Safety Assist – based on driver-assistance and crash-avoidance features.

Vehicles are tested in a series of crashes with sensory dummies – including head on, side, rear, pole impact and pedestrian impacts. This shows their seatbelt and airbag effectiveness, along with forces in pedestrian accidents.

What’s the safest car make?

In 2017, Volkswagen swept the leader board with three of their models winning the safest category awards.

Although the cars on our safest list aren’t necessarily the cheapest on the market, you can’t put a price on safety.