In 2026 Euro NCAP has updated its crash test methodology, tightening the requirements for active safety systems and the protection of vulnerable road users. The new leaders of the rating are not only cars with a maximum of 5 stars, but also models that received a rating for the first time "Platinum" for innovative solutions. For example, Volvo EX90 became the first car to be equipped as standard with lidar for collision avoidance at speeds of up to 130 km/h, and Tesla Model Y (updated version 2026) showed a record 98% in the adult occupant protection test.

If you are choosing a car with safety as a priority, it is important to consider not only the number of stars, but also Euro NCAP protocol details. For example, in 2026, special attention will be paid to side impact protection at high speeds (60 km/h deformable barrier test) and system efficiency AEB (automatic emergency braking) in poor visibility conditions. We analyzed reports for the first two quarters of 2026 and compiled a rating, which took into account not only points, but also real cases of accidents involving these models in Europe.

Euro NCAP 2026 methodology: what has changed in the tests?

In 2026 Euro NCAP switched to a new assessment system, where the maximum score is now 1000 instead of the previous 500. This is due to the addition of new criteria:

  • 🔹 Test for "survival" after an accident: checking whether passengers can leave the cabin on their own after a serious accident (for example, if the doors are deformed).
  • 🔹 Evaluation of Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS): Now cameras should recognize not only fatigue, but also distraction by a smartphone.
  • 🔹 Side impact involving a truck: simulated collision with a heavy vehicle at a speed of 50 km/h.
  • 🔹 Pedestrian protection during night lighting: Tests are carried out with dummies dressed in dark clothes, under headlights.

Moreover, now cars with level 2+ autonomous functions (for example, Mercedes Drive Pilot or BMW Highway Assistant) undergo additional checks for predictability of behavior in emergency situations. For example, if the Autopilot system does not cope with overtaking on the highway, the car loses up to 20% of points in the “Driver Assistance Safety” section.

📊 Which safety factor is most important to you when choosing a car?
Number of airbags
Active safety systems (ABS, ESP, AEB)
Protection for pedestrians and cyclists
Body strength in frontal impact

TOP 5 safest cars in 2026 (according to Euro NCAP)

The leaders of the 2026 rating are cars that not only received the maximum 5 stars, but also showed record results in new tests. Models with integrated lidars and systems V2X (data exchange between cars).

Model Adult protection (%) Child protection (%) Driver assistance safety (%) Price from (₽)
Volvo EX90 (electro) 97% 94% 98% 8 500 000
Tesla Model Y (updated 2026) 98% 91% 94% 5 200 000
Mercedes EQE 95% 92% 96% 9 100 000
Lexus TX (hybrid) 93% 90% 95% 6 800 000
BMW i7 94% 89% 93% 10 300 000

The Volvo EX90 became the first car to receive a Platinum rating for its innovative AI-assisted collision avoidance system. Its lidar is capable of recognizing pedestrians at a distance of up to 250 meters, even in complete darkness, and algorithms predict the trajectory of other participants with an accuracy of 95%.

⚠️ Attention: If you choose Tesla Model Y, please note that maximum safety scores only apply to cars with a full package Full Self-Driving (FSD). In the basic configuration the system AEB works worse at speeds above 80 km/h.

Budget cars with a high safety rating (up to RUB 3 million)

Despite the fact that most of the leaders in the rating are premium or electric models, in 2026 there were also affordable cars with excellent safety indicators. The main difference between budget leaders is simplified active safety systems, but at the same time they are not inferior in passive protection (body strength, airbags).

  • 🚗 Dacia Duster (3rd generation) - 5 stars, 84% protection for adults. Best choice for off-road with the system ESP, adapted for gravel.
  • 🚗 Renault Austral — 5 stars, 89% child protection. The only one in the segment with airbag between the front seats (side impact protection).
  • 🚗 Toyota Corolla Cross (hybrid) - 5 stars, 91% in frontal impact test. Equipped with a system Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which recognizes cyclists at intersections.

Especially stands out Renault Austral - this is the first car in the class compact crossovers, which received a "Good" rating in the test for rear impact protection (seats with active head restraints and Whiplash Protection).

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Electric cars vs. cars with internal combustion engines: who is safer in 2026?

In 2026 Electric cars have overtaken traditional internal combustion engines for the first time by average safety score. This is due to two key factors:

  1. Low center of gravity — the battery is located in the floor, which reduces the risk of rollover by 40% compared to gasoline-powered crossovers.
  2. No engine compartment — during a frontal impact, the deformation zone of electric vehicles is 20-30% larger, which improves energy absorption.

However, there is a downside: lithium ion batteries may ignite if the body is severely deformed. According to Euro NCAP, in 2026 only 3 models (Volvo EX90, Mercedes EQE and BMW i7) received maximum points for battery protection during side and rear impacts.

Details about electric vehicle battery tests

In 2026, Euro NCAP introduced a new test: piercing the battery with a steel rod with a diameter of 25 mm at a speed of 30 km/h. Only 40% of electric vehicles passed this test without catching fire. The best results were shown by models with batteries in an aluminum box with Kevlar protection (for example, Volvo EX90).

If you're choosing between an electric car and a hybrid, pay attention to Toyota bZ4X - this is the only model with battery emergency shutdown system with Impact Detection, which reduces the risk of fire by 90%.

Active safety systems: what to look for in 2026?

In 2026 Euro NCAP has tightened the requirements for active safety systems, and now even 5-star cars can have weaknesses. For example, many machines cannot cope with:

  • 🚦 Recognition of pedestrians at uncontrolled crossings (especially in the dark).
  • 🚧 Automatic braking at speeds above 100 km/h (most systems turn off at 80-90 km/h).
  • 🛵 Protection for cyclists when turning right (only 20% of models recognize a cyclist moving parallel to a car).

The best results in 2026 were shown by the following systems:

System Manufacturer Max. AEB response speed (km/h) Pedestrian recognition accuracy (%)
Pilot Assist 2.0 Volvo 130 98%
Drive Pilot Mercedes 120 97%
Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 Toyota 110 95%
⚠️ Attention: If you frequently drive on the highway, avoid vehicles with AEB, which turn off at speeds above 80 km/h. For example, in Kia Sportage 2026 The maximum speed of automatic braking is 70 km/h, which is not enough to prevent collisions on the highway.

Which car to choose for a family with children?

When choosing a car for a family with children in 2026, experts recommend paying attention to:

  1. Availability of the system ISOFIX on all rear seats (including average).
  2. Side impact protection (check for curtain airbags and reinforced pillars).
  3. Child seat monitoring system (for example, Rear Seat Alert in Hyundai Santa Fe, which reminds me of a child in the back seat).

Best Family Cars of 2026 for Safety:

  • 👶 Volvo EX90 — 7 seats, system Child Presence Detection, which monitors the child’s breathing in the chair.
  • 👶 Lexus TX — 3rd row of seats with ISOFIX, airbags for all passengers.
  • 👶 Skoda Kodiaq (restyling 2026) - best in class for side impact protection (92%).
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If you are transporting children under 7 years old, choose a car with Rear Door Child Lock, which blocks the rear doors from opening from the inside. In 2026, even budget models will be equipped with this option, for example, Renault Arkana.

Myths about car safety: what's wrong with the Euro NCAP rating?

Many buyers mistakenly believe that 5 Euro NCAP stars guarantee absolute safety. However, there are several nuances:

  • ❌ Myth 1: "All 5-star cars are equally safe." In fact, the difference between 80% and 98% in the adult protection test may mean twice the risk of injury in case of an accident.
  • ❌ Myth 2: "Euro NCAP tests all configurations." In fact, it is only estimated basic version, and top trim levels may have additional security systems.
  • ❌ Myth 3: "A car with 5 stars cannot get low ratings in real accidents." According to insurance companies, some models (for example, Nissan Qashqai 2023) show worse results in real accidents than in laboratory tests.

In addition, Euro NCAP does not test the long-term reliability of safety systems. For example, after 3-5 years the sensors AEB may lose accuracy due to contamination or wear. Therefore, it is important to check whether the manufacturer has provided free system calibration within the scope of the warranty.

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Key takeaway: The Euro NCAP ranking is only part of the story. Always check real data about accidents involving the model (for example, on the website IIHS or in insurance company reports).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about car safety 2026

🔹 Which car is the safest in 2026 for city driving?

The best choice for the city is Volvo EX30 (compact electric crossover) or Tesla Model 3 (updated version 2026). Both models have:

  • system AEB, which operates at speeds up to 60 km/h (relevant for traffic jams).
  • Pedestrian protection at 90%+.
  • Compact dimensions for parking.

If you need a budget option - Renault Clio 2026 with package Safety Pack (5 stars Euro NCAP).

🔹 Is it worth buying a used car with 5 Euro NCAP stars, but from 2020?

No, if we are talking about models that have not been updated since 2020. The Euro NCAP methodology has changed a lot, and cars until 2023:

  • They do not have side impact protection at high speeds.
  • Their systems AEB They don't recognize cyclists.
  • There are no tests for "survival" after an accident.

The exception is models that have undergone restyling with updated security systems (for example, Volvo XC60 2023+).

🔹 Which 2026 cars have the worst safety records?

In 2026, the worst results were shown by:

  • Dacia Sandero — 3 stars, 52% protection for adults (no rear side airbags).
  • Fiat Panda — 0 stars in the pedestrian protection test.
  • MG4 Electric - 4 stars, but only 64% in the side impact test.

These models are not recommended for families with children or frequent highway travel.

🔹 How to check whether a car’s Euro NCAP certificate is forged?

To verify the authenticity of the certificate:

  1. Go to the official website euroncap.com.
  2. Enter the vehicle's VIN or select a model from the database.
  3. Check whether the year of testing matches the year of manufacture of the car (for example, a 2022 certificate is not valid for a restyled 2026 model).

Beware of counterfeits: some dealers show certificates for top trims, while the base version may have inferior performance.

🔹 What additional security options are worth purchasing?

If your car is not equipped with these systems in the database, we recommend purchasing additionally:

  • 360 degree camera (especially for parking in the city).
  • Blind spot monitoring system (BLIS) - reduces the risk of accidents when changing lanes by 40%.
  • Adaptive cruise control (ACC) with function Stop&Go (for traffic jams).
  • system V2X (data exchange with other cars) - warns about an accident around the corner.

The cost of such options usually does not exceed 100-150 thousand rubles, but they can save lives.