What are the safest cars you can buy in 2023?

Thatcham Research and What Car? join forces to reveal the safest new cars available in 2023. This is based on crash test data from Euro NCAP, along with drivability.

The selected models form the shortlist for the What Car? Safety Award.

Trusted tests

All the cars on the 10-car shortlist are five-star performers in Euro NCAP tests. They feature vital safety equipment to help to ensure the safety of motorists and vulnerable road users. This comes in a new era of Assisted Driving technology, including various crash avoidance systems to aid drivers.

“Thatcham Research actively promotes innovation in both impact protection and crash avoidance technologies,” says  Matthew Avery, Thatcham Research chief research strategy officer.
“As leading advocates for the Euro NCAP programme, it is satisfying to see 50 out of the 66 cars tested in 2022 achieving a five-star rating”. Avery adds that this is resulting in “perhaps the strongest safest cars list we have seen”.
“This is something for which carmakers should be applauded, and we are pleased so many are continuing to prioritise motorist and vulnerable road user safety – especially during times of great technological and economic disruption.”

Not all hot air

A good example of how technology in top end models feeds down to more common and affordable models is the multi-functional use of airbags.

Despite being considered a niche innovation just a couple of years ago, airbags to help prevent life-threatening interaction between occupants during a side impact are present on every vehicle in the 10 safest list.

As automotive technology and motoring continues to evolve towards a cleaner future, Thatcham Research has welcomed the fact that nine of the nominees are full Electric or Hybrid Vehicles.

“Although many households might feel that EVs are beyond their budget, it’s good to see there are more accessible options for buyers that also deliver high-end safety features as standard, and their mass-market appeal will have a big influence on motoring safety,” Avery explained.

Bigger better?

Perhaps one potential negative is the increasing size of the top performers. Whilst this undoubtedly protects the passengers, this can have both a negative effect on other road users due to impact damage, but also to the environment through greater weight and the production of harmful emissions from tyre and brake ware.

The top ten

BMW X1

BMW X1

Hyundai Ioniq 6

Ioniq 6

Lexus NX

2021 Lexus NX

Mazda CX-60

Mazda CX-60

Mercedes-Benz EQE

Mercedes EQE

Nissan Aryia

Nissan Aryia

Ora Funky Cat

ORA Funky Cat

Smart #1

Smart #1

Tesla Model Y

Tesla Model Y

Toyota bZ4x

Toyota BZ4X