Euro NCAP safety ratings 2019 – how safe is your car?
Safety is critical when buying your next car and Euro NCAP's ratings are the best indicator of whether your car will protect you should the worst happen. Here, we reveal all of the latest safety...
Euro NCAP safety ratings 2018 – how safe is your car?
2017 was a very busy year for Euro NCAP, the body that conducts crash tests in Europe and awards cars an all-important safety rating out of five stars. The organisation has, in conjunction with its UK partner Thatcham Research, conducted more tests than in any other year and has awarded a full range of ratings, from the zero-star Fiat Punto, to the five-star Volvo XC60.
In fact, Volvo's family SUV gained the highest ratings ever recorded, meaning it is currently the safest new car on sale in the UK.
The safety tests take into account everything from structural integrity to safety equipment, with a particular focus this year placed on automatic emergency braking (AEB) – a critical technology that can apply your car's brakes in the event of an accident. In fact, a car cannot gain five-star status unless it comes with AEB as standard.
Thatcham has praised car makers for increasingly fitting AEB as standard equipment, saying that the technology is "proven to reduce accidents".
Today's Euro NCAP testing system includes 15 safety tests, with crash testing only one component. The process is due to change in 2018, though, to include testing the effectiveness of AEB systems with pedestrian and cyclist detection. Euro NCAP says it is updating its regime to "reflect the surge in automated vehicle functions that we expect to see on the market in the coming years".
Click through this slideshow to see the ratings for every new car tested in 2017.
Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Adult occupant protection 97% Child occupant protection 84% Pedestrian protection 71% Safety assist equipment 60% Overall rating 5 stars
Alfa Romeo's first SUV is up against some strong competition – chiefly from the BMW X3 and Porsche Macan. Luckily, the Stelvo is fun to drive, but its interior quality is disappointing and the diesel engines can be noisy.
Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Adult occupant protection 72% Child occupant protection 56% Pedestrian protection 59% Safety assist equipment 25% Overall rating 3 stars
The Alfa Romeo Giuietta makes an interesting alternative to mainstream rivals such as the Audi A3 and Skoda Octavia. If you choose one, make sure you get the optional AEB system.
Audi Q5
Adult occupant protection 93% Child occupant protection 86% Pedestrian protection 73% Safety assist equipment 58% Overall rating 5 stars
The Q5 is a great all-rounder, with a practical and spacious interior and a strong range of engines. It's also superb to drive and relatively cheap to run. Just avoid the no-cost optional sports suspension on S line models, because this makes the ride overly firm.
BMW 5 Series
Adult occupant protection 91% Child occupant protection 85% Pedestrian protection 81% Safety assist equipment 59% Overall rating 5 stars
The 5 Series is a classy and refined luxury saloon – it's so good, in fact, that we named it our Car of the Year for 2017. It's luxurious inside, economical, spacious and good to drive, with the icing on the cake being BMW's excellent iDrive infotainment system.
BMW 6 Series GT
Adult occupant protection 86% Child occupant protection 85% Pedestrian protection 81% Safety assist equipment 59% Overall rating 5 stars
The BMW 6 Series GT brings extra practicality to the 5 Series, taking the space on offer close to that of the larger 7 Series. It's also lighter and more agile than the 5 Series GT it replaced, and is fitted with a host of safety equipment as standard.
BMW X3
Adult occupant protection 93% Child occupant protection 84% Pedestrian protection 70% Safety assist equipment 58% Overall rating 5 stars
The X3 has always been good to drive, but the latest version is now more practical, more spacious and has a higher-quality interior. All in all, it's an especially capable and comfortable SUV.
Citroën C3
Adult occupant protection 88% Child occupant protection 53% Pedestrian protection 59% Safety assist equipment 58% Overall rating 4 stars
The C3 transposes the rugged looks of the C4 Cactus onto a smaller body, giving it distinctive looks in this crowded market. Unfortunately, most rivals are more practical and better to drive.
Citroën C3 Aircross
Adult occupant protection 85% Child occupant protection 82% Pedestrian protection 64% Safety assist equipment 60% Overall rating 5 stars
This jacked-up version of the C3 again uses the C4's funky looks, including its Airbump door guards, to appear more aggressive. It's a practical choice for small families and pleasant to drive, but its interior quality lags behind that of the best small SUVs.
Dacia Duster
Adult occupant protection 71% Child occupant protection 66% Pedestrian protection 56% Safety assist equipment 37% Overall rating 3 stars
The Dacia Duster is a bargain-basement SUV that's cheaper and roomier than rivals such as the Renault Captur. It's not the most sophisticated or well-equipped model, though.
DS 3
Adult occupant protection 69% Child occupant protection 37% Pedestrian protection 55% Safety assist equipment 29% Overall rating 3 stars
The DS 3 is a three-door hatchback that rivals Mini hatch 3dr and Audi A1. Like those rivals, it offers a wealth of personalisation options; it doesn't come with standard-fit AEB, though.
DS 7 Crossback
Adult occupant protection 91% Child occupant protection 87% Pedestrian protection 73% Safety assist equipment 76% Overall rating 5 stars
We have yet to drive DS's largest SUV, but we do know that it's aimed at premium rivals including the Audi Q5 and BMW X3. It's safe, too, coming with AEB with pedestrian detection as standard, plus a lane-keeping assistance system.
Fiat 500
Adult occupant protection 66% Child occupant protection 49% Pedestrian protection 53% Safety assist equipment 27% Overall rating 3 stars
There's no denying that the 500 has stylish looks and is a competent city car. Just be aware that some rivals are both cheaper and better to drive.
Fiat Doblo
Adult occupant protection 75% Child occupant protection 46% Pedestrian protection 57% Safety assist equipment 25% Overall rating 3 stars
The Doblo is a big, boxy family MPV with plenty of space inside – especially if you need to seat seven regularly plus their luggage. In most other areas, though, it falls well short of class standards.
Fiat Punto
Adult occupant protection 51% Child occupant protection 43% Pedestrian protection 52% Safety assist equipment 0% Overall rating 0 stars
The Fiat Punto is an affordable alternative to the Ford Fiesta. It's been on sale in various guises since 2005, though, and isn't up to the standards of modern rivals when it comes to safety.
Ford C-Max
Adult occupant protection 76% Child occupant protection 60% Pedestrian protection 59% Safety assist equipment 29% Overall rating 3 stars
The Ford C-Max is a taller, roomier alternative to the Focus hatchback. It rivals the Volkswagen Golf SV and Citroën C4 Picasso, and is popular with drivers for its keen handling.
Ford Fiesta
Adult occupant protection 87% Child occupant protection 84% Pedestrian protection 64% Safety assist equipment 60% Overall rating 5 stars
That the Fiesta earned a five-star rating from Euro NCAP is good news for everyone, given its popularity in the UK. It's out-classed by rivals on value terms, but it's still brilliant to drive – especially with its Ecoboost petrol engines.
Ford Ka+
Adult occupant protection 73% Child occupant protection 61% Pedestrian protection 57% Safety assist equipment 29% Overall rating 3 stars
The Ka+ handles sweetly for a car of this size, with engaging handling and a sweet range of petrol engines. It's also fairly good inside, even if the quality won't match up to the larger Fiesta. That said, if you're looking for cheap and cheerful motoring, it should be on your shortlist.
Ford Mustang
Adult occupant protection 72% Child occupant protection 32% Pedestrian protection 78% Safety assist equipment 61% Overall rating 3 stars
The Mustang is great fun to drive quickly, especially with a V8 petrol engine, but with a rating of just three stars it's not especially safe.
Honda Civic
Adult occupant protection 92% Child occupant protection 75% Pedestrian protection 75% Safety assist equipment 88% Overall rating 5 stars
When it was intially tested earlier this year, the new Civic didn't fare too well when it came to protecting children in its rear seats. A few tweaks later, and Honda is back for re-assessment, this time gaining a much higher score for child occupant protection.
Hyundai i30
Adult occupant protection 88% Child occupant protection 84% Pedestrian protection 64% Safety assist equipment 68% Overall rating 5 stars
The i30 offers low running costs and a comfortable ride, but mediocre performance and relatively high CO2 emissions stop it from being among the top cars in this class.
Hyundai Kona
Adult occupant protection 87% Child occupant protection 85% Pedestrian protection 62% Safety assist equipment 60% Overall rating 5 stars
The Kona is Hyundai's third and smallest SUV. It goes up against the Citroën C3 Aircross and Seat Arona, to name just a few rivals.
Jaguar E-Pace
Adult occupant protection 86% Child occupant protection 87% Pedestrian protection 77% Safety assist equipment 72% Overall rating 5 stars
Jaguar's smaller sibling to the F-Pace offers dynamic handling and sharp looks, but it's also heavy, not especially fuel efficient and doesn't offer the kind of interior quality you'd expect in a premium small SUV.
Jaguar F-Pace
Adult occupant protection 93% Child occupant protection 85% Pedestrian protection 80% Safety assist equipment 72% Overall rating 5 stars
Jaguar's first SUV is offered with a wide range of engines and trims, making it an alternative to the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Porsche Macan. It's a safe as well as sporty choice, as its Euro NCAP scores show.
Jeep Compass
Adult occupant protection 90% Child occupant protection 83% Pedestrian protection 64% Safety assist equipment 59% Overall rating 5 stars
If you'll regularly be travelling off-road, then the Compass should be on your shortlist. If you won't, though, then know that there are much better SUVs to drive.
Kia Picanto
Adult occupant protection 79% Child occupant protection 64% Pedestrian protection 54% Safety assist equipment 25% Overall rating 3 stars
Despite their small size, city cars still need to be as spacious as possible and good to drive. Thankfully, the Picanto is one of the better options, offering tidy handling and a smart interior.
Kia Rio
Adult occupant protection 85% Child occupant protection 84% Pedestrian protection 62% Safety assist equipment 25% Overall rating 3 stars
The Rio has always offered plenty of room for a decent price, and the latest model is a competent supermini. It's backed up by Kia's seven-year warranty, too.
Kia Stinger
Adult occupant protection 93% Child occupant protection 810% Pedestrian protection 78% Safety assist equipment 82% Overall rating 5 stars
This svelte five-door coupé is aimed squarely at the Audi A5 Sportback and Volkswagen Arteon, making it quite a departure for the Korean car maker. Like its German rivals, the Stinger gains a strong score for safety.
Land Rover Discovery
Adult occupant protection 90% Child occupant protection 80% Pedestrian protection 75% Safety assist equipment 73% Overall rating 5 stars
The Discovery is one of our favourite large SUVs – it's capable on or off-road, has a comfortable ride and will hold on to its value for longer than many rivals.
MG ZS
Adult occupant protection 71% Child occupant protection 51% Pedestrian protection 59% Safety assist equipment 29% Overall rating 3 stars
The ZS is being billed as a breakthrough car for MG. The new small SUV takes on the Citroën C3 Aircross, Renault Captur and Seat Arona.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet
Adult occupant protection 89% Child occupant protection 79% Pedestrian protection 66% Safety assist equipment 53% Overall rating 5 stars
This open-top version of the C-Class is a more competent all-rounder than the rival BMW 4 Series Convertible, but it's also an expensive choice.
Read our full Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet review >
See what deals are available on the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet >
Mercedes X-Class
Adult occupant protection 90% Child occupant protection 87% Pedestrian protection 80% Safety assist equipment 77% Overall rating 5 stars
The X-Class is designed to be a different kind of pick-up truck – one which blends the practicality and go-anywhere ability of a traditional working vehicle with the luxury you'd expect from Mercedes-Benz. It's set to cost around £34,500 in the UK, and is based on the Nissan Navara.
Mazda CX-5
Adult occupant protection 95% Child occupant protection 80% Pedestrian protection 78% Safety assist equipment 59% Overall rating 5 stars
We've been big fans of the CX-5 for a number of years, and the latest version remains as practical and comfortable as ever before. There's no seven-seat option, though.
Mini Countryman
Adult occupant protection 90% Child occupant protection 80% Pedestrian protection 64% Safety assist equipment 51% Overall rating 5 stars
Want a Mini but also need an SUV? The Countryman is your natural choice, and it transposes the funky looks of the Mini hatchback successfully onto its larger body. It's not one of our favourite SUVs, though, because of an unsettled ride and awkward driving position.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Adult occupant protection 97% Child occupant protection 78% Pedestrian protection 80% Safety assist equipment 71% Overall rating 5 stars
Purists may lament the fact that Mitsubishi's Eclipse badge is sitting on an SUV rather than a sports car, but we've found it to be a real step forward for the brand.
Read our full Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross review >
See what deals are available on the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross >
Nissan Micra
Adult occupant protection 91% Child occupant protection 79% Pedestrian protection 68% Safety assist equipment 49% Overall rating 4 stars
The old Micra wasn't very good, and while this new version still isn't among our class favourites it does at least offer a smart interior and a good array of safety kit.
Porsche Cayenne
Adult occupant protection 95% Child occupant protection 80% Pedestrian protection 73% Safety assist equipment 62% Overall rating 5 stars
Like it or not, the 911 is no longer the most important car that Porsche makes – that mantle has for some time now been resting on the Cayenne and its smaller sibling, the Macan. The Cayenne is powerful and offers sharp handling, but it also every bit as practical as you'd want an SUV to be.
Renault Koleos
Adult occupant protection 90% Child occupant protection 79% Pedestrian protection 62% Safety assist equipment 75% Overall rating 5 stars
The Koleos is Renault's largest SUV, and while it's not among the best in the class it is at least well equipped and stylish to look at.
Seat Arona
Adult occupant protection 95% Child occupant protection 80% Pedestrian protection 77% Safety assist equipment 60% Overall rating 5 stars
The Arona follows in the footsteps of Seat's first SUV, the Ateca, by being both practical and good to drive. In fact, it's one of the best small SUVs around.
Seat Ibiza
Adult occupant protection 95% Child occupant protection 77% Pedestrian protection 76% Safety assist equipment 60% Overall rating 5 stars
The latest Ibiza is a real triumph – it's one of the best small cars on the market, offering great driving dynamics and a practical, spacious interior.
Skoda Karoq
Adult occupant protection 93% Child occupant protection 79% Pedestrian protection 73% Safety assist equipment 58% Overall rating 5 stars
Like sister brand Seat, Skoda is on an SUV push at the moment, and the Karoq follows on from the successful Kodiaq large SUV. It's a great effort, too, offering a comfortable ride and a spacious interior with lots of equipment.
Skoda Kodiaq
Adult occupant protection 92% Child occupant protection 77% Pedestrian protection 71% Safety assist equipment 54% Overall rating 5 stars
The Kodiaq is our favourite large SUV, and that's because it's incredibly spacious inside, offers a smooth range of diesel engines and is good value for money.
Subaru Impreza
Adult occupant protection 94% Child occupant protection 89% Pedestrian protection 82% Safety assist equipment 68% Overall rating 5 stars
Speaking of the new Impreza, this new version is intended to be more of an all-rounder than the current model, which only really appeals if you need a rugged hatchback with four-wheel drive. There's only one engine on offer at launch – a 1.6-litre petrol – and we're yet to drive one in the UK.
Subaru XV
Adult occupant protection 94% Child occupant protection 89% Pedestrian protection 84% Safety assist equipment 68% Overall rating 5 stars
The new XV has the potential to be Subaru's most important model. It's based on an all-new platform which is shared with the new Impreza, and has a revised range of engines and chassis. We were impressed when we drove the car abroad for the first time, but we're yet to try it in the UK.
Suzuki Swift
Adult occupant protection 83% Child occupant protection 75% Pedestrian protection 69% Safety assist equipment 25% Overall rating 3 stars
The latest Swift has tidy handling and a strong turbocharged petrol engine, but it's let down by cheap materials inside and a harsh ride.
Toyota C-HR
Adult occupant protection 95% Child occupant protection 77% Pedestrian protection 76% Safety assist equipment 78% Overall rating 5 stars
Toyota's Nissan Qashqai rival is good to drive and comes with lots of equipment, but it only really makes sense as a hybrid. It's also rather pricey, and most small SUV rivals are more practical.
Toyota Yaris
Adult occupant protection 83% Child occupant protection 80% Pedestrian protection 63% Safety assist equipment 57% Overall rating 5 stars
The latest Yaris is well equipped and has some of the most impressive safety kit of any car in its class, making it a credible rival to the Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa.
Vauxhall Adam
Adult occupant protection 61% Child occupant protection 60% Pedestrian protection 58% Safety assist equipment 25% Overall rating 3 stars
Vauxhall's answer to the Mini hatchback and Fiat 500 boasts cute looks and an array of personalisation options. It doesn't come with AEB as standard, though.
Read our full Toyota Vauxhall Adam >
See what deals are available on the Vauxhall Adam >
See the other results for 2017 >
Vauxhall Crossland X
Adult occupant protection 85% Child occupant protection 84% Pedestrian protection 62% Safety assist equipment 57% Overall rating 5 stars
Vauxhall is on an SUV push at the moment, expanding its range to include two new models to sit alongside the Mokka X. The smaller of those new models, the Crossland X, is very spacious for a small SUV, but most of its rivals are better to drive.
Vauxhall Grandland X
Adult occupant protection 84% Child occupant protection 87% Pedestrian protection 63% Safety assist equipment 60% Overall rating 5 stars
The larger of Vauxhall's two new SUVs is based on the Peugeot 3008 and offers the same level of practicality as that car. We just wish it was cheaper to buy and more refined.
Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport
Adult occupant protection 93% Child occupant protection 85% Pedestrian protection 78% Safety assist equipment 69% Overall rating 5 stars
We didn't rate the old Insignia very highly, and while this new model suffers from lots of road noise and a boot that's not as big as its rivals, it is at least cheap to buy and well equipped. It's competitive for company car drivers, too.
Read our full Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport review >
See what deals are available on the Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport >
Volkswagen Arteon
Adult occupant protection 96% Child occupant protection 85% Pedestrian protection 85% Safety assist equipment 82% Overall rating 5 stars
The Arteon is Volkswagen's attempt to rival premium cars such as the Audi A5 Sportback and BMW 4 Series, and it's a solid effort. The Arteon comes with lots of kit and is huge inside, but is let down by pricey PCP finance deals and a poor automatic gearbox.
Volkswagen Polo
Adult occupant protection 96% Child occupant protection 85% Pedestrian protection 76% Safety assist equipment 59% Overall rating 5 stars
The latest Polo is a great small car – it rides well, has a spacious interior and is quiet on the move. Material quality could be improved in places, though, and if you go for a diesel engine it'll be noisy. Thankfully, most buyers will choose petrol power.
Volkswagen T-Roc
Adult occupant protection 96% Child occupant protection 87% Pedestrian protection 79% Safety assist equipment 71% Overall rating 5 stars
The T-Roc blends distinctive looks with easy driving manners and a comfortable ride. And while it's Volkswagen's cheapest SUV yet, there's clearly been no skimping on safety. Instead, it's the interior that shows signs of cost cutting.
Volvo S90
Adult occupant protection 95% Child occupant protection 80% Pedestrian protection 76% Safety assist equipment 93% Overall rating 5 stars
You might well expect a new Volvo to be safe, but you probably won't expect it to be as luxurious, refined and comfortable as the S90. This is one executive cruiser which really manages to stand out from its German rivals. We just wish its automatic gearbox wasn't so lethargic.
Volvo V90
Adult occupant protection 95% Child occupant protection 80% Pedestrian protection 76% Safety assist equipment 93% Overall rating 5 stars
The V90 is a plush estate car which gives rivals such as the Audi A6 Avant and Mercedes E-Class Estate a real run for their money – it's super-spacious, comes with lots of kit and has a high quality interior.
Volvo XC60
Adult occupant protection 98% Child occupant protection 87% Pedestrian protection 76% Safety assist equipment 95% Overall rating 5 stars
Unlike the T-Roc, the XC60 has an interior that feels expensive. Plus, you get a superb driving position and lots of space and standard equipment. Only the uninspiring handling lets it down a little.
Read our full Volvo XC60 review >
See what deals are available on the Volvo XC60 >
Read more: The safest new family cars in the UK >
Got a motoring question? Our experts are standing by to help, just tweet us your question using #askwhatcar
For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here
