Today’s safest cars: See who won the 2025 “Best in Class” title.
Euro NCAP reviewed the most intensive year in its history, during which it tested a record number of new cars, including electric cars. Chinese models also appeared in the “Best in Class” ranking, but the most important award went to a German compact car.
Traditionally, Euro NCAP has published a list of “Best in Class”, i.e. the safest vehicles in individual categories that have passed crash tests during the past year. All award-winning models received the maximum rating of five stars. However, results above 90% in some categories are extremely impressive.
Mercedes and Tesla records
Table of Contents
- 1. Mercedes and Tesla records
- 2. Upcoming changes in tests
- 3. Which cars were named the safest in 2026?
- 4. Looking for the Safest Car of the Year? These Vehicles Overwhelmed the Competition
- 5. Understanding Safety Ratings: A Speedy Guide
- 6. The 2026 Safety Leaders: Top Picks
- 7. Beyond Crash Tests: The rise of Active Safety Systems
- 8. Real-World Impact: IIHS Studies and Accident Data
The best score of all tested vehicles in 2025 and the title of the safest “Small Family Car” went to the Mercedes CLA. This model achieved record high ratings in adult occupant protection (94%) and unprotected road participation (93%). The new generation CLA is available in both electric and gasoline versions, which Mercedes has high hopes for.
The American Tesla also achieved great success, with its Model 3 being declared the safest “Large Family Car”, while the Model Y won in the “Small SUV” category.
Michiel van Ratingen from Euro NCAP, emphasized that the Best-in-Class ranking should make it easier for drivers to choose the safest vehicle.
“The race for the top spot was very close. Tesla came in just behind Mercedes, and new brands like Firefly and Leapmotor show growing global competition. This is good news for customers who value safety as much as style, practicality, performance and running costs,” said van Ratingen.
Upcoming changes in tests
In 2026, Euro NCAP plans major changes to test protocols to better reflect current traffic risks and advanced technologies. Not only the effectiveness of security systems will be tested, but also their intuitiveness and comfort of use. The evaluation of the human-machine interface is intended to limit the excessive use of touchscreens, which distract the driver from the road.
The organization is also introducing new post-accident safety requirements, for example power-operated door handles will have to remain functional to facilitate rescue operations.
|
Mercedes-Benz |
Small family car |
94 % |
89 % |
93 % |
85 % |
|
Tesla Model 3 |
A large family car |
90 % |
93 % |
89 % |
87 % |
|
Tesla Model Y |
Small SUV |
91 % |
93 % |
86 % |
92 % |
|
Smart #5 |
Large SUV |
88 % |
93 % |
84 % |
92 % |
|
MINI Cooper E |
City cars |
89 % |
87 % |
77 % |
79 % |
|
Polestar 3 |
Upper class |
90 % |
93 % |
79 % |
83 % |
Which cars were named the safest in 2026?
Looking for the Safest Car of the Year? These Vehicles Overwhelmed the Competition
Choosing a new vehicle is a big decision, and for many, safety is the paramount concern. Thankfully, automotive safety has made leaps and bounds in recent years. For 2026,several models have truly distinguished themselves,exceeding expectations in crash tests and boasting cutting-edge driver-assistance technologies.Here’s a detailed look at the cars that are leading the pack in vehicle safety,offering peace of mind for you and your family.
Understanding Safety Ratings: A Speedy Guide
Before diving into specific models, let’s clarify the key organizations that assess vehicle safety:
* IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety): Known for its rigorous crash tests, including small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side impact, and roof strength. The IIHS also evaluates headlight performance and crash prevention systems. Achieving “Top Safety Pick+” is the highest honor.
* NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration): Conducts crash tests and provides a 5-Star Safety Rating system. This rating considers frontal crash, side crash, and rollover risk.
* Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Program): While primarily focused on the European market, Euro NCAP results are often indicative of a vehicle’s overall safety performance globally.
These ratings are crucial when comparing safe cars and understanding the level of protection a vehicle offers. looking beyond the star rating and delving into the specifics of the tests is always recommended.
The 2026 Safety Leaders: Top Picks
These vehicles consistently earned top marks from leading safety organizations and impressed with their advanced safety features.
1. Volvo XC90 (and EX90): Volvo has long been synonymous with safety, and the 2026 XC90 and its all-electric sibling, the EX90, continue that tradition.
* Key Safety Features: Pilot Assist (advanced driver-assistance system),City Safety (collision avoidance),Lane Keeping Assist,Blind Spot facts System. The EX90 introduces a new interior radar system designed to detect even the smallest movements, perhaps preventing child presence detection failures.
* IIHS Rating: top Safety Pick+
* NHTSA Rating: 5-Star Overall Safety Rating
2. Subaru Outback: The Outback consistently delivers extraordinary safety, thanks to its standard EyeSight Driver Assist Technology.
* Key Safety Features: Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Departure and Sway Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, and Reverse Automatic Braking. Subaru’s symmetrical all-wheel drive also contributes to enhanced stability and control in challenging conditions.
* IIHS Rating: Top Safety pick+
* NHTSA Rating: 5-star Overall Safety Rating
3. Acura Integra: A surprising contender, the Integra demonstrates that safety isn’t limited to SUVs.
* Key Safety Features: AcuraWatch safety suite (includes Collision Mitigation Braking system, Road Departure Mitigation System, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Lane Keeping Assist System).Advanced body structure designed for crash energy management.
* IIHS Rating: Top Safety Pick+
* NHTSA Rating: 5-Star Overall Safety Rating
4. Tesla Model 3 (and Y): Tesla’s electric vehicles continue to improve in safety, leveraging advanced technology and a low center of gravity.
* Key Safety Features: Autopilot (advanced driver-assistance system), Automatic Emergency braking, Lane Departure avoidance, and Collision Warning. Over-the-air software updates continuously enhance safety features.
* IIHS Rating: Top Safety Pick+ (Model 3)
* NHTSA Rating: 5-Star Overall Safety Rating
5. Genesis GV80: Genesis has quickly established itself as a leader in luxury and safety. The GV80 offers a comprehensive suite of safety technologies.
* Key Safety Features: Highway Driving Assist II (combines adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist), Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Blind-Spot View Monitor, and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist.
* IIHS Rating: Top safety Pick+
* NHTSA Rating: 5-Star Overall Safety Rating
Beyond Crash Tests: The rise of Active Safety Systems
While crashworthiness remains vital, modern vehicle safety increasingly relies on active safety systems – technologies designed to prevent accidents in the first place. These include:
* Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB): Detects potential collisions and automatically applies the brakes.
* Lane Departure Warning (LDW) & Lane Keeping Assist (LKA): Alerts drivers when they drift out of their lane and can even gently steer the vehicle back into position.
* Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC): Maintains a set distance from the vehicle ahead, automatically adjusting speed.
* blind Spot Monitoring (BSM): Alerts drivers to vehicles in their blind spots.
* rear Cross-Traffic alert (RCTA): Warns drivers of approaching vehicles when backing up.
The effectiveness of these systems varies between manufacturers, so researching specific implementations is crucial.
Real-World Impact: IIHS Studies and Accident Data
The IIHS regularly publishes studies analyzing real-world accident data. Recent findings consistently demonstrate that vehicles equipped with advanced driver-assistance systems experience fewer crashes and lower injury rates. Such as, a 2024 IIHS study showed that
