Top 10 safest cars of 2024
Check out the list of the top 10 safest cars available now or hitting the market in 2024
10. NIO EL7
Total Euro NCAP score 337/400
Adult occupant protection 93% Child occupant protection 85% Pedestrian protection 80% Safety Assist 79%
The Chinese brand's luxury SUV doesn't quite measure up to the ET5, but it's still a solid performer overall. The AEB system generally does a good job of preventing accidents with pedestrians and cyclists, but the 'dooring' feature, which warns about opening doors when a cyclist is approaching from behind, didn't score well. The EL7 includes a system that alerts the driver if a child is left in the car, but it didn't pass the Euro NCAP tests, so it didn't earn any points for that.
We expect the EL7 to hit the UK market in early 2025.
9. BMW 5 Series
Total Euro NCAP score 338/400
Adult occupant protection 89% Child occupant protection 85% Pedestrian protection 86% Safety Assist 78%
The BMW 5 Series has been a top choice for premium company cars, and the latest eighth-generation model is set to continue that trend. It offers mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid options, while the i5 version caters to electric car fans.
The 5 Series provides excellent protection for its occupants in a crash and is relatively gentle on smaller vehicles in head-on collisions. It includes advanced safety features like an eCall system that automatically alerts emergency services and activates the brakes to prevent a secondary collision. A system also warns if a child is left in the car.
Other road users are well-protected too. The active safety system scores top marks for detecting and avoiding collisions with motorcyclists and warns if a driver is about to open the door on a cyclist, even stopping the door if an accident is imminent.
The Euro NCAP rating applies to all 5 Series models, including the all-electric i5.
8. Lexus RZ
Total Euro NCAP score 339/400
Adult occupant protection 87% Child occupant protection 87% Pedestrian protection 84% Safety Assist 81%
Lexus has been a leader in hybrid technology, but the RZ is its first all-electric model, and it's impressive in terms of safety. It's also practical, fun to drive, comfortable, and quiet.
Despite its SUV look, the RZ is very safe for pedestrians and cyclists. Its AEB system got top marks for detecting cyclists and avoiding collisions. Plus, it can stop the driver from opening the door if a cyclist is riding by.
7. BYD Dolphin
Total Euro NCAP score 340/400
Adult occupant protection 89% Child occupant protection 87% Pedestrian protection 85% Safety Assist 79%
The Dolphin is a small, affordable electric car that's spacious and well-equipped. It offers top-notch protection for adults and children, and its 85% score for pedestrian safety is only beaten by the BMW 5 Series.
The Dolphin is also considerate towards smaller vehicles in frontal crashes and is designed to protect vulnerable road users. Its AEB system responds effectively to pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists, and it prevents the driver’s door from opening into a cyclist’s path.
6. Mercedes EQE
Total Euro NCAP score 342/400
Adult occupant protection 87% Child occupant protection 90% Pedestrian protection 80% Safety Assist 85%
The EQE is a sleek and comfy electric car with impressive range. The EQE 300 and 350 have an official range of 388 miles, and while you’ll likely get around 325 miles in everyday driving, that’s still 5 miles more than the Tesla Model 3 Long Range.
It scores highly across all four EuroNCAP safety categories, making it a solid choice for safety. It shines particularly in child occupant protection, thanks to features like an automatic front passenger airbag deactivation system (which usually needs to be turned off manually for child seats) and a child presence detection system. Plus, its AEB system excels at spotting pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.
5. Zeekr 001
Total Euro NCAP score 344/400
Adult occupant protection 89% Child occupant protection 88% Pedestrian protection 84% Safety Assist 83%
The 001 is a stylish, all-electric estate car that competes with the Porsche Taycan. Its EuroNCAP score is slightly lower than the Zeekr X, but it’s still very safe. It performs well in frontal crashes and scored top marks in side barrier tests, offering excellent protection for all passengers.
Like the X, the 001 has a system that applies the brakes after an accident and allows passengers to exit the car if it gets submerged in water. It also features an alert system to notify parents if a child is accidentally left in the car. However, its driver monitoring system only detects fatigue and not distractions, so it didn’t earn full marks in that area.
4. Smart #3
Total Euro NCAP score 345/400
Adult occupant protection 90% Child occupant protection 86% Pedestrian protection 84% Safety Assist 85%
The Smart #3 is a sportier, longer, and wider coupé version of the Smart #1 electric SUV. It promises a more dynamic drive and a sleek roofline, but it doesn’t sacrifice practicality.
It excels in safety for both occupants and pedestrians. The AEB system is highly effective at detecting vulnerable road users, like cyclists and motorcyclists, and performs well in various test scenarios. Plus, its driver monitoring system can spot different types of inattention and fatigue.
3. NIO ET5
Total Euro NCAP score 345/400
Adult occupant protection 96% Child occupant protection 85% Pedestrian protection 83% Safety Assist 81%
The NIO ET5 is the Chinese brand’s take on the Tesla Model 3—a sleek electric saloon and estate that’s enjoyable to drive and well-equipped. NIO is starting to make a name for itself in Europe, and the ET5 is expected to hit the UK market in early 2025.
It offers top-notch protection for adults and decent safety for kids. The AEB system is effective at spotting and responding to pedestrians, children, and motorcyclists in various conditions. The lane-keeping support is helpful but not overly intrusive. However, the system for detecting cyclists alongside the car could use some improvement.
2. Volkswagen ID 7
Total Euro NCAP score 346/400
Adult occupant protection 95% Child occupant protection 88% Pedestrian protection 83% Safety Assist 80%
The ID 7 is the top performer in the latest EuroNCAP safety tests. It scored full marks in the full-width frontal crash test, offering excellent protection for passengers of all sizes and seating positions.
It also shines in new tests designed to protect vulnerable road users. The car features a pop-up bonnet that helps reduce head injuries for pedestrians and cyclists if struck, and its crash avoidance system excels at detecting and avoiding motorcyclists.
The ID 7’s driver assistance systems are effective and less intrusive compared to previous models. The lane-keeping assist, in particular, has been improved to be more user-friendly and less abrupt.
1. Zeekr X
Total Euro NCAP score 348/400
Adult occupant protection 91% Child occupant protection 90% Pedestrian protection 84% Safety Assist 83%
The Zeekr X is the safest car in the latest EuroNCAP tests, earning full marks in the side impact crash test and offering excellent protection for everyone inside. It also showed it would be relatively gentle in front-end collisions with other vehicles.
When it comes to protecting other road users, the Zeekr X excels. Its autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system scored top marks for avoiding collisions with cyclists in all test scenarios. Plus, it includes a feature that prevents the front seats from opening the door into a cyclist riding alongside the car.
Standard safety features include automatic braking after a collision to prevent secondary impacts, and the design ensures that doors and electric windows can still be used if the car gets submerged in water.
