Safety is something most people consider when buying a car, particularly if they regularly travel with children or spend long hours on the road. While modern cars generally offer good protection, some perform considerably better than others in independent crash tests.
Even the most careful driver can't always avoid an accident caused by someone else. That's why it's worth knowing how well a car can protect you when things go wrong.
We've picked out 10 cars that impressed in recent Euro NCAP tests. All received the maximum five-star rating, although their individual scores vary.
How cars are rated
Euro NCAP is the independent organisation responsible for testing the safety of new cars sold across the UK and Europe. Its assessments involve controlled crash tests using sensor-equipped dummies, alongside checks on child seat compatibility, pedestrian protection and accident-prevention technology.
Until the end of 2025, cars were assessed in four categories:
- Adult occupant (AO): Protection for the driver and adult passengers.
- Child occupant (CO): Protection for younger passengers and child seat compatibility.
- Vulnerable road users (VRU): Safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
- Safety assist (SA): Technology such as automatic emergency braking and lane keeping assistance.
Euro NCAP regularly makes its tests tougher, so an older five-star rating isn't necessarily comparable with a recent one. All the cars below were tested in 2024 or 2025.
If you're considering buying a used car, a RegCheck can help you check its details and safety rating before making a decision. You can run a free check to get started, or opt for a full vehicle history check to uncover important details such as previous write-offs, outstanding finance or stolen vehicle records
The scores at a glance
| Car | AO | CO | VRU | SA | | ----- | ----- | ----- | ----- | ----- | | Mercedes E-Class | 92% | 90% | 84% | 87% | | Skoda Superb | 93% | 87% | 82% | 80% | | Audi Q6 e-tron | 91% | 92% | 81% | 80% | | Mazda CX-80 | 92% | 88% | 84% | 79% | | Porsche Macan Electric | 90% | 90% | 83% | 78% | | Audi A6 e-tron | 92% | 91% | 75% | 80% | | Cupra Tavascan | 89% | 86% | 80% | 79% | | Toyota C-HR | 85% | 86% | 86% | 79% | | MG HS | 90% | 85% | 83% | 74% | | Volvo EX30 | 88% | 85% | 79% | 80% |
Source: Euro NCAP
Executive cars and estates
Mercedes E-Class
The Mercedes E-Class impressed in Euro NCAP's 2024 tests, scoring well across all four categories. Its 87% safety assist result is the highest in this group, reflecting the advanced driver assistance technology shared with the larger S-Class.
The results cover both saloon and estate versions. The main downside is the price, particularly once you start adding optional extras.
Skoda Superb
With 93% for adult occupant protection, the Skoda Superb has the highest score in this selection. It matches the Volkswagen Passat, which shares its underlying engineering.
It's also considerably cheaper than some premium rivals and offers generous passenger and luggage space. Families who need room but don't want an SUV should have the Superb on their shortlist. The Passat has identical safety scores if you prefer Volkswagen.
Audi A6 e-tron
Audi's electric A6 scored 92% for adult protection and 91% for children, making it one of the strongest cars here for protecting its occupants.
Its weaker area is pedestrian and cyclist safety, where it managed 75%. That's the lowest VRU score in this selection, something worth considering if you regularly drive in busy urban areas.
SUVs and seven-seaters
Audi Q6 e-tron
The Q6 e-tron is a particularly good choice for families. Its 92% child occupant score was the highest achieved by any car tested in 2024, while adult protection was also impressive at 91%.
There are a couple of drawbacks. Rear visibility could be better, and many everyday functions, including the climate controls, are operated through the central touchscreen.
Mazda CX-80
Need seven seats? The Mazda CX-80 is worth a look. It was the safest seven-seater tested by Euro NCAP in 2024, scoring 92% for adults and 84% for vulnerable road users.
There's also a six-seat version with two individual captain's chairs in the middle row. It's a useful alternative for larger families who want a spacious SUV with strong crash test results.
Porsche Macan Electric
Sharing much of its underlying platform with the Audi Q6 e-tron, the electric Macan achieved similarly strong results, including 90% for both adult and child protection.
However, check the specification carefully. Some useful features, including adaptive cruise control and surround-view cameras, are optional extras rather than standard equipment.
Toyota C-HR
The Toyota C-HR achieved the highest vulnerable road user score in this selection, at 86%. That's a particularly good result for a compact SUV likely to spend plenty of time around pedestrians and cyclists in towns and cities.
Its main frustration is the touchscreen interface. Adjusting some safety settings means working through several menus, which isn't always convenient.
MG HS
The MG HS shows that a five-star safety rating doesn't have to come with a premium price tag. It scored 90% for adult occupant protection, putting it ahead of several more expensive models.
Its weakest area was safety assist, where it achieved 74%. The touchscreen can also be slow when changing driver assistance settings, so it's worth familiarising yourself with the controls while parked.
Smaller electric cars
Cupra Tavascan
The Cupra Tavascan shares its platform with several Volkswagen Group electric cars, including the VW ID.5 and Skoda Enyaq Coupe.
It scored 89% for adults and 86% for children. Its modern interior relies heavily on a touchscreen, although Cupra has improved the system compared with earlier versions. Voice control is also useful when driving.
Volvo EX30
Volvo has built its reputation around safety, and the EX30 continues that tradition. It scored 88% for adult protection and 80% for safety assist.
Its Pilot Assist system provides useful support on longer journeys, operating smoothly without feeling overly intrusive.
The interior won't suit everyone, though. Almost everything is controlled through the central touchscreen, including the speedometer display. Some drivers may miss having conventional instruments and physical buttons.
What to check before buying
A five-star Euro NCAP rating is a good starting point, but there are a few other things to consider. Always check when the car was tested, as safety standards have become tougher over time.
Make sure the rating applies to the exact model you're considering, too. Different versions and optional equipment can affect which safety features are fitted.
For used cars, remember that a crash test rating tells you how the model performed when new, not how an individual vehicle has been treated.
A registration check is a useful first step, but a full vehicle history check can reveal previous accident damage, insurance write-offs, outstanding finance and stolen vehicle records.
A car might have achieved five stars when it left the factory, but its condition and maintenance history are just as important when buying second-hand.
