10 of the safest cars you can buy

It’s a fact of life that new cars get safer every year, but protecting yourself and your family from danger on the roads doesn’t have to cost the earth if you buy a nearly new car. We’ve trawled the latest Euro NCAP figures to pick out eight of our favourite new and used cars which have earned a five-star safety rating. Find out more about how a car earns a five-star safety rating, or read on for our favourite safe family cars.

Tesla Model 3 (2025)

Adult occupant rating: 90%

Child occupant rating: 93%

Pedestrian protection: 89%

Driver assistance rating: 87%

The Tesla Model 3 isn't the newest EV on the block, but it's still one of the safest cars on the road. The child occupant rating in particular is exceptional, so if you've got kids there's more to the Model 3 than its whoopie cushion mode and the ability to play games on its screen. Its results are almost as fantastic for pedestrian and adult protection, too. While Euro NCAP has recently called Tesla's Autopilot system 'misleading' – it wrongly suggests the car can drive itself – the Model 3 does have plenty of driver assistance software, and more if you pay for the Enhanced Autopilot and Full Self-Driving packages. Still cheaper to pay attention to the road, mind.

Shop used Tesla Model 3 cars for sale

Mini Cooper E (2025)

Adult occupant rating: 89%

Child occupant rating: 87%

Pedestrian protection: 77%

Driver assistance rating: 79%

There's no need to worry about some small cars being safe – just look at the great results the Mini Cooper E achieved in 2025's Euro NCAP testing. It's worth pointing out that the electric and petrol Mini use completely different underpinnings, so these results only apply to the electric versions; the petrol Mini hasn't been tested yet. It's another string to the Mini Cooper's bow, along with fun handling, a range of around 180 miles (240 for the Cooper SE), a crystal-clear infotainment screen and the unmistakable styling.

Shop used Mini Cooper cars for sale or read our Mini Cooper review

Audi Q4 e-tron (2025)

Adult occupant rating: 91%

Child occupant rating: 87%

Pedestrian protection: 79%

Driver assistance rating: 73%

The Audi Q4 is the Audi for you if you want something Q3-sized but fully electric. It looks really smart, it's spacious and it boasts all the Audi touchpoints and interior trimmings. Rare small-battery cars manage around 200 miles to a charge, while the larger of the batteries ups that to around 300 miles between charges. The Q4, which shares its underpinnings with the likes of the Skoda Enyaq and Volkswagen ID.4, scored very well in its crash test, so you can relax with total peace of mind if you're buying one as a family wagon.

Shop used Audi Q4 cars for sale

Audi A6 e-tron (2025)

Adult occupant rating: 92%

Child occupant rating: 91%

Pedestrian protection: 75%

Driver assistance rating: 80%

Audi knows how to make a safe car – the new Q5 SUV got similarly good scores, but the sleeker A6 e-tron shows  SUVs aren't the only option when it comes to safety. Scoring over 90% for both adult and child protection is deeply impressive, not to mention incredibly reassuring. Note that this is for the electric A6, although the petrol one isn't far behind – when it was tested in 2024, it scored 87% for adult protection and 88% for child protection.

Read more about the Audi A6 e-tron and its front passenger touchscreen

Cupra Terramar (2025)

Adult occupant rating: 89%

Child occupant rating: 87%

Pedestrian protection: 82%

Driver assistance rating: 76%

For a brand focused on sportiness, it's a little confusing that Cupra sells not one, but two family SUVs based on the Volkswagen Tiguan. The Terramar is the newest one, blending the sporty looks of the smaller Formentor with family-friendly space and a plug-in hybrid that offers up to 70 miles of electric driving. So if you want the granite-like strength of the Tiguan with a sportier edge, the Terramar delivers. Cupra's electric coupe-SUV, the Tavascan, also scored five stars and 89% for adult protection when it was tested in 2024.

Shop used Cupra cars for sale

MG HS (2024)

Adult occupant rating: 90%

Child occupant rating: 85%

Pedestrian protection: 83%

Driver assistance rating: 74%

You'd buy the previous-generation MG HS because it was cheap, but it didn't really stack up to rivals in some areas. The new MG HS is a different story – it's nice inside, has lots of legroom, a lengthy equipment list and the plug-in hybrid is one of the longest-range PHEVs on the market. Topping its qualities off is a glowing five-star safety score, featuring a 90% score for adult occupant protection, which shows you don't need to spend a fortune to protect you and your family. The MGS5, tested in 2025, also scored 90% for adult protection and a five-star overall result.

Shop used MG HS cars for sale or read our MG HS review

Volkswagen Passat (2024)

Adult occupant rating: 93%

Child occupant rating: 87%

Pedestrian protection: 82%

Driver assistance rating: 80%

Volkswagen’s evergreen Passat has been renewed for another generation, and this one’s probably the best yet – despite being estate-only in the UK and not having any diesel engines. It’s refined and comfortable, and it’s very economical – the petrol engine manages 50mpg or so and the plug-in hybrid offers a huge electric range.

Among all the other improvements, Volkswagen hasn’t forgotten to make the Passat as safe as possible. That adult score is particularly impressive, but there’s not a single blot on the Passat’s safety report. The mechanically identical Skoda Superb matches the Passat.

Shop used Volkswagen Passat cars for sale or read our Volkswagen Passat review

Mercedes E-Class (2024)

Adult occupant rating: 92%

Child occupant rating: 90%

Pedestrian protection: 84%

Driver assistance rating: 87%

If you can afford the latest Mercedes E-Class, you’ll get a sense of smug satisfaction. Not just because of the state-of-the-art interior and the E-Class’ mile-munching capabilities, but because of its excellent safety score, too. It offers one of the best safety ratings of any car tested in 2024, with outstanding scores for adult and child protection.

Shop used Mercedes E-Class cars for sale or read more about the new Mercedes E-Class

Ford Explorer (2024)

Adult occupant rating: 89%

Child occupant rating: 86%

Pedestrian protection: 80%

Driver assistance rating: 72%

The Ford Explorer is one of our favourite compact electric SUVs. It offers both impressive performance and long-distance range figures, plus it's practical and well equipped. And it's good value as a used car. Combine all that with its excellent safety ratings, and it's clear that the Explorer is a great choice for growing families. If you'd rather a coupe-styled car, the related Ford Capri matches the Explorer's scores – although it's not as competent as the Explorer.

Shop used Ford Explorer cars for sale or read our Ford Explorer review

Changan Deepal S07 (2024)

Adult occupant rating: 95%

Child occupant rating: 87%

Pedestrian protection: 74%

Driver assistance rating: 77%

If you enjoy explaining to people what on earth you're driving and why you didn't just choose something familiar, you'll like the Deepal S07. There's a forward-thinking interior with serious tech and lots of passenger space, and a composed driving experience that'll suit you if you just want to get from A to B without any stress. But there are better ways to spend £40,000 – you've really got to want its high Euro NCAP scores and seven-year warranty.

Read our Changan Deepal S07 review