Top safest cars in the UK (2022)

March 03, 2022 by

Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Program) is the organisation that crash-tests new cars. It uses a star rating to assess the safety of new models, but it also gives separate ratings for adult protection, child protection, vulnerable road-user protection and safety assist systems. The average of these ratings lets you see which cars it ranks as the safest overall.

The latest tests don’t just asses a car’s safety in a crash – they also consider the safety systems designed to prevent crashes from happening in the first place, as well as how easy it is to extract a casualty from the car and the quality of information available to help emergency services who arrive on the scene.

Euro NCAP updates its testing protocols every two years. The next big update isn’t expected until 2023.

Cars tested by Euro NCAP in 2022

  1. Lexus NX
  2. Volkswagen Taigo
  3. Renault Megane E-Tech
  4. Volkswagen Polo
  5. BMW 2 Series Coupe

1. Lexus NX

The Lexus NX SUV scored well across the board in the latest NCAP tests, excelling in the safety assist category where it scored 91%. Kids are well looked after with a score of 83% in the child occupant category, and the NX scored 83% for adult occupants. Overall, it was awarded a five-star safety rating.

The Lexus NX isn’t just safe either. If you’re after a funky looking SUV with bags of tech and a cool looking cabin, this could be the car for you

2. Volkswagen Taigo

Volkswagen’s new Taigo SUV earned the maximum five-star safety rating in 2022, scoring best in the adult occupant category with 94%. The Taigo also scored 84% in the child occupant category, 71% for vulnerable road users and 70% in safety assist.

The Volkswagen Taigo could be the perfect car for you if you fancy a small crossover with a swoopy rear-end design. You also get a comfortable ride and great build quality.

3. Renault Megane E-Tech

The new Renault Megane scored five stars in the 2022 NCAP safety tests. Children in the car are well catered for, as the Megane scored 88% for child occupant protection. The French SUV scored 85% for adult occupant protection, 79% for safety assist and 65% for vulnerable road users.

The Megane E-Tech is the first Megane model to only be offered as an electric car. It’s due to go on sale in the UK this year.

4. Volkswagen Polo

The updated Volkswagen Polo has scored well in the 2022 Euro NCAP crash tests. It’s been awarded an impressive 94% in the adult occupant category and 80% for child occupants. Safety assist and vulnerable road users both scored 70%.

The Volkswagen Polo has always been a great all-rounder, offering great build quality, decent standard equipment and generous levels of space.

5. BMW 2 Series Coupe

The new BMW 2 Series Coupe just missed out on a five-star safety rating thanks a slightly lower score in the safety assist category. It still scored 64% however, and the 2 Series performed well in the adult and child occupant protection categories, scoring 82% and 81% respectively.

The 2 Series is based on the current 4 Series coupe, meaning you still get a rear-wheel-drive layout and, in M240i models, a 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine.

Safest cars tested by Euro NCAP in 2021

1. Subaru Outback
2. Nissan Qashqai
3. Genesis G80
4. Polestar 2
5. Mercedes EQS, Volkswagen ID4
7. Genesis G70
8. Skoda Enyaq
9. Toyota Mirai, Lynk & Co 01
11. Genesis GV80, BMW iX
13. Nio ES8
14. Cupra Formentor, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Toyota Yaris Cross

1. Subaru Outback

The Subaru Outback achieved some impressive ratings across all categories, especially in the safety assist category where it scored 95% – one of the best results in 2021. Adult and child occupant ratings were 88% and 89% respectively, making this one of the safest family-friendly vehicles on the road.

You can pick up a new Outback for less than £34,000, meaning it costs less than many other cars on this list.

2. Nissan Qashqai

The latest version of the ever-popular Nissan Qashqai did well in the latest NCAP tests, especially in the safety assist category where it scored an impressive 95%. The family SUV also excelled in the adult and child protection categories, scoring 91% for both.

The new Qashqai doesn’t just move the game on in terms of safety, the design is much more modern both inside and out compared to its predecessor.

3. Genesis G80

The Genesis brand is new to the UK market, and straight off the bat, the G80 luxury saloon impresses with a 5-star overall rating. The 91% result for adult occupants is particularly impressive as is the 87% child occupant score.

The G80 really shines when it comes to its safety assist performance, scoring 91% in this category and the top ‘good’ rating in all sub-categories. Packed with great features, the base Genesis G80 also comes in at under £38,000 which makes it a high-value alternative to the German offerings in the mid-sized luxury saloon class.

4. Polestar 2

The Polestar 2 EV performed consistently well across the board, achieving scores of 80% for vulnerable road-user protection and an impressive 83% for in the safety assists category. Better still are the car’s passenger protection scores: adult safety is rated at 93%, and parents will be very pleased with the 89% rating for child protection.

The Polestar 2 also impresses with its high-tech cabin and 292-mile range. However, with prices starting from close on £50,000, it’s quite pricey even by premium electric car standards.

=5. Mercedes EQS

You’d expect any flagship Mercedes to offer all the latest safety tech, and the EQS proves it. Adults are well looked after with an adult protection score of 96%, plus the luxury EV got 91% for child protection. The safety-assist score of 80% is also impressive.

The EQS is also a great looking luxury SUV with a huge range of around 450 miles. The “Hyperscreen” on the dashboard makes it look futuristic on the inside as well.

=5. Volkswagen ID4

The Volkswagen ID4 is an advanced EV that has proven to be one of the safest cars on the roads in 2021. Scoring 93% for adult occupant protection and 89% for child protection, the ID4 is a great choice for families. Vulnerable road users are fairly well catered for with a safety score of 76%.

A number of hi-tech safety systems help the Volkswagen ID4 score an impressive 85% in the safety assist category, as well. This is an impressive showing for VW’s second all-electric offering. The ID4 is a great family-friendly SUV that is enjoyable to drive but you may want to look at the sporty ID4 GTX if you want more exciting exterior styling.

7. Genesis G70

The Genesis GV70 is the executive saloon offering in the company’s line-up, and it, like other Genesis models, offers impressive safety features. It scored 89% in the adult protection category and 87% for child protection. The car also scored 88% for safety assist.

The GV70 is going to be offered in both saloon and shooting brake (posh estate) body styles. There’s no doubting it’s a good looking alternative to the typical German executive saloons on offer.

8. Skoda Enyaq iV

With a stellar 94% adult occupant safety rating and an impressive 89% child protection safety score, the all-electric Skoda Enyaq iV is one of the safest SUVs on the market. The safety assist score of 82% is also decent, although the 71% vulnerable road user rating is not quite up there with the highest rated vehicles.

Despite this, the Skoda Enyaq iV is undoubtedly a very safe vehicle and offers heaps of space for both passengers and their luggage. Ticking too many options can inflate the price and the infotainment system is not the slickest in the segment.

=9. Toyota Mirai

The Toyota Mirai is an electric car powered by a hydrogen fuel cell rather than a large battery pack. To back-up its futuristic engineering and modern looks, it is also one of the safest cars you can buy. Its safety assist score of 82% is commendable and both adults and children are afforded a high level of safety with 88% and 85% respectively.

You can refuel the Mirai in as little as 10 minutes, which is quicker than most electric-car recharging times, but it costs from £50,000 and is limited by the UK’s small hydrogen refuelling network.

=9. Lynk & Co 01

The Lynk & Co 01 is a new hybrid SUV entry to the UK market that shares many components with the Volvo XC40. It scored some impressive Euro NCAP ratings, including a 96% adult-occupant score and 87% child-occupant score that are among the very best out there.

Safety assists get an 81% rating- another strong showing, but the 71% for vulnerable road users is a bit below the best 5-star rated vehicles for 2021. Its average score of 83.75% is the same as the Toyota Mirai, so both share 6th place on this list.

=11. Genesis GV80

The Genesis GV80 SUV joins its G80 stablemate with a five-star safety rating in 2021. Adult and child occupant safety tests were both great, at 91% and 87% respectively.

The safety assist result of 88% is also among the best of the vehicles tested. The 66% Vulnerable Road Users score is somewhat less impressive, preventing the GV80 from posting an even better overall result. That said, the Genesis GV80 is undoubtedly a very safe vehicle and its starting price of just under £57,000 handily undercuts the other offerings in the luxury SUV segment.

11. BMW iX

The new BMW iX is a flagship model for the brand, and safety was obviously high up on the priority list. It scored 91% in the adult protection category, and parents will be happy with the 87% child occupant score. The 81% score for safety assist is impressive as well.

It’ll certainly stand out in a supermarket car park thanks to the bold, possibly slightly challenging, styling. The range is decent though, with even the base model doing a claimed 249 miles between charges.

13. Nio ES8

This large 6-seater SUV is another new all-electric offering (limited to Norway for now), but with one significant difference; it offers battery-swapping technology that can drastically reduce charging times. With a score of 92% for its safety assist systems, it should be safe, too.

The 82% adult safety rating is complemented by an 84% child occupant safety rating, while the vulnerable road users score is a slightly lower 72%. With an ever-expanding battery-swapping infrastructure, and the option to rent the battery (lowering overall costs), this impressive EV could change the way you think about electric cars – it goes on sale in the UK.

=14 Cupra Formentor

It’s comforting to know that the Cupra Formentor does a great job at keeping passengers of all shapes and sizes safe. Child protection was rated at 88%, and adult protection is better still at 93%. The Cupra has a host of decent safety features, too, as shown by its 80% score for driver-assistance tech.

However, the Formentor’s overall rating is brought down a bit by its fair 68% score awarded for its protection of vulnerable road users. Overall, the Cupra Formentor is a good choice if you’re after a comfy and stylish family SUV – though, some alternatives do have more cargo space.

=14 Ford Mustang Mach-E

The Ford Mustang Mach-E may be muscular in looks and nature, but its safety rating is far from brutal.

Scoring the maximum five stars, it particularly impressed Euro NCAP with its adult occupant protection — scoring 92%. Child protection is nearly as impressive at 89%, though pedestrian protection does dip to 69%. Plenty of assistance technology gave the Mustang Mach-E 82% in that particular category though.

=14 Toyota Yaris Cross

The Toyota Yaris Cross shows that transforming a supermini into an SUV doesn’t have to come at the cost of safety.

Scoring five stars plants the Yaris Cross as one of the safest cars money can buy, and it posted a good balance of ratings across the board. 86% and 84% for adult and child occupants respectively promise safety for those inside, while a 78% score for pedestrian protection shows Toyota has thought beyond just passengers. A healthy suite of assistance technology gives it 80% in that category, too.

Want to keep up to date with the latest news?

Sign up for the carwow newsletter by entering your email address below to receive regular updates featuring our latest videos, reviews, news stories and blog posts from across the world of cars. You can unsubscribe from these emails at any time.

By clicking the submit button you agree to our T&Cs and confirm you have read our Privacy Policy.