2023’s safest new cars revealed

Thatcham Research, in partnership with What Car?, has revealed the safest new cars available in 2023.

Based on crash test data from Euro NCAP, the selected models will form the shortlist for the What Car? Safety Award.

“Thatcham Research actively promotes innovation in both impact protection and crash avoidance technologies, and 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, resulting in perhaps the strongest safest cars list we have seen,” said Matthew Avery, Thatcham Research chief research strategy officer. “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.”

All the cars on the 10-car shortlist are five-star performers and feature vital safety equipment that will help to ensure the safety of motorists and vulnerable road users in a new era of Assisted Driving technology.

For example, 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.

2023’s safest new cars (in alphabetical order):

BMW X1

Hyundai Ioniq 6

Lexus NX

Mazda CX-60

Mercedes-Benz EQE

Nissan Aryia

Ora Funky Cat

Smart #1

Tesla Model Y

Toyota bZ4x