Safest cars in Euro NCAP crash tests - the 2024 ranking
The Mercedes E-Class dominates the ranking, where there is also a Chinese electric SUV
Euro NCAP, which assesses the safety of cars sold in Europe, tested 44 different models. Almost all of them achieved 5 stars, the maximum score, with cars excelling in one or more of the four areas tested: adult safety, child safety, pedestrian safety and the use of driver assistance systems.
But which were the safest cars put to the test over the past year? Taking the top step of the podium was the Mercedes E-Class. A premium saloon packed with top-class safety features. Let's see which other cars join it in the Euro NCAP 2024 rankings.
Award-winning cars
While the Mercedes E-Class saloon takes the title of the safest car of 2024 (best performer, as Euro NCAP puts it), the ranking also takes other categories into account: Compact SUVs, electrics, family cars and large SUVs.
In the first category, the winner is the Zeekr X, a Chinese electric crossover belonging to the Geely Group. A premium model with prices in line with those of its most famous competitor, the Tesla Model Y. In fact, in the Netherlands it is sold from €44,990, exactly €1,000 less than the best-selling car in Europe in 2023. And this is no coincidence. The Zeekr X also took home the title of safest electric car.
The family cars, on the other hand, are a draw with the Skoda Superb and Volkswagen Passat. The results are not surprising as the two models are closely related in many respects, from the platform (Volkswagen's MQB-EVO) to the safety systems.
The Volkswagen Passat during Euro NCAP crash tests
Mazda CX80 in Euro NCAP crash tests
Finally, among the large SUVs, it is the Mazda CX-80, the Japanese manufacturer's high-riding flagship, that excels.
| Model | Adults | Children | Pedestrians | ADAS |
| Mercedes E-Class | 92% | 90% | 84% | 87% |
| Zeekr X | 91% | 90% | 84% | 83% |
| Skoda Superb | 93% | 87% | 82% | 80% |
| Volkswagen Passat | 93% | 87% | 82% | 80% |
| Mazda CX-80 | 92% | 88% | 84% | 79% |
Price makes all the difference
The fact that a car almost 5 metres long and with a base price of £55,120 is super safe is hardly surprising. Especially when you consider that you can get practically anything from the latest generation of driver assistance systems to the ability to detect an impending collision by activating the seatbelt pretensioner. These are features that normal city cars or small cars can only dream of.
So the five stars accompanied by high ratings in adult occupant safety (92 per cent), child safety (90 per cent), pedestrian and cyclist safety (84 per cent) and safety systems (87 per cent) are almost taken for granted.
The same applies to the Volkswagen Passat and Skoda Superb: 4.9 metres in length and price lists starting at £35,695 (Superb), rising depending on the equipment and options chosen. Not to mention the Mazda CX-80, whose price list sticks at £49,670.
Prices well above average for models that are valid in all respects, but which in fact represent a niche in registrations. Looking, for example, at the ranking of the best-selling cars in Italy in 2024, they do not appear in the top 50, while in the highest positions are much smaller models such as the Fiat Panda, Dacia Sandero and Jeep Avenger. None of these reach five stars.
Crash tests from Euro NCAP:
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