Top 10 safest cars for your fleet
Gone are the days when you could open up a car with a tin opener. The cars on the roads today are safer than ever before. Here are 10 new models that received a five-star Euro NCAP rating this year.
Euro NCAP’s Michiel van Ratingen said: “Our tests get tougher and tougher and cars continue to perform well, which means that car-buyers are getting an ever-safer range of vehicles to choose from.”
As we pointed out in our analysis on whether the Tesla Model 3 really deserves a better Euro NCAP rating than the similarly-sized Volvo S60, Euro NCAP isn’t the be-all and end-all of safety. Electronic stability control is not tested and neither is the performance of the brakes or how the car responds when abruptly avoiding an obstacle. Nevertheless, the Euro NCAP ratings give a fair, objective rating that allows for easy comparison of how vehicles on your short list score.
The following cars are a selection of vehicles that achieved a five-star Euro NCAP rating in 2019. In some cases, the standard vehicle got four stars but a five-star rating was given to the vehicle with an optional safety pack. The Euro NCAP website contains a list of all vehicles with a safety rating.
1. Tesla Model 3 ★★★★★
The Tesla made a strong debut with a perfect score in the frontal offset deformable barrier crash test. Euro NCAP praises the vehicle’s superb driver assistance systems like lane support, speed assist and autonomous emergency braking. The Tesla’s 94% score in the 2019 Safety Assist tests is the best yet under Euro NCAP’s most recent protocol.
2. Skoda Scala ★★★★★
The Skoda Scala, positioned between the Fabia and Octavia and intended to be a Golf competitor, received a 97% score in Adult Occupant Protection, putting it among the top small family cars tested by Euro NCAP.
3. Mercedes-Benz B-Class ★★★★★
With the GLE and the B-class (which also got five stars), Mercedes-Benz is continuing its winning streak with its 10th and 11th five-star result since 2014. The GLE scores 96% for Adult Occupant Protection, 90% for Child Occupant, 78% for Vulnerable Road Users and 75% for Safety Assist.
4. Lexus UX ★★★★★
The Lexus UX is extremely safe for driver and passengers (96%) and also performs well for child occupant protection (85%). It is best-in-class for vulnerable road users (82%).
5. Audi e-tron ★★★★★
Fleet Europe tested the Audi e-tron extensively. Watch our video review. Euro NCAP reported a similar level of protection to occupants of different sizes and sitting in different positions. Tests also showed good protection against whiplash injuries.
6. Volkswagen T-Cross ★★★★★
Volkswagen’s new small MPV, the T-Cross, did very well for Adult Occupant Protection, with a 97% score. Child safety was rated at 86%, suggesting it could be a good choice as a family vehicle. Vulnerable Road Users scored 81% and Safety Assist 80%.
7. Renault Clio ★★★★★
City cars and safety are no longer natural contradictions, as the all-new Renault Clio illustrates with its five-star rating with standard equipment. Passive safety in particular was enhanced and now includes a very comprehensive range of driving aids.
8. Range Rover Evoque ★★★★★
The second-generation Range Rover Evoque is more than a facelift of the outgoing model; it’s a brand-new model. Euro NCAP was particularly impressed with progress made in Vulnerable Road User protection, which now includes an active bonnet and AEB for pedestrian and cyclist protection.
9. DS 3 Crossback ★★★★ (with optional safety pack: ★★★★★)
In standard spec, the DS 3 Crossback was rated four stars but it received five when equipped with an optional safety pack, which should definitely be on a fleet manager’s option list. You could wonder why DS didn't make the safety pack standard on what's suppposed to be a premium vehicle.
10. Kia Ceed ★★★★ (with optional safety pack: ★★★★★)
Like the DS 3 Crossback, the Kia Ceed only deserves five stars with the optional safety pack. Drivers should also be impressed by the brand’s reliability.
Image: Tesla Model 3 during Euro NCAP tests
