Which vehicle is the safest in: expert analysis and rating

Introduction: What makes a truly safe vehicle?

When it comes to road safety, most drivers intuitively choose cars with the maximum number of airbags or high crash test scores. However true vehicle safety is a comprehensive indicator that includes not only passive protection in case of accidents, but also active accident prevention systems, rollover resistance, pedestrian protection and even psychological comfort of the driver. For example, Volvo XC90 has been leading the rankings for many years thanks to the system City Safety, which automatically brakes when a pedestrian is detected, but this is far from the only criterion.

In 2026, experts Euro NCAP, IIHS (USA) and ADAC (Germany) have tightened safety requirements: now not only frontal and side impacts are assessed, but also cybersecurity (protection against hacker attacks on electronic systems), as well as environmental safety (the impact of materials on the health of passengers). This means that even models with a five-star rating from 2020 may not meet current standards today. In this article we will look at which vehicles are considered the safest today, what to look for when buying and why sometimes minibus might be safer premium sedan.

Spoiler: the leaders of the 2026 ranking are not only expensive cars. For example, Tesla Model Y received the highest score for active safety, but is inferior Subaru Outback in side impact protection. A Mercedes-Benz EQS did not pass the test for resistance to cyber attacks at all! Below is a detailed analysis.

Top 5 safest vehicles of 2026 according to experts

We analyzed the data Euro NCAP, IIHS and ADAC, and also took into account the real statistics of road accidents in Europe and the USA. The rating includes models that showed the best results in all criteria: from the protection of adult passengers to the reliability of electronic systems. Important: rating does not depend on price — there are both premium cars and affordable crossovers here.

• 🥇 Volvo EX90 (Electric crossover) - 98% protection for adults, 94% protection for children, 100% active safety. The only car with a LiDAR system that prevents collisions at speeds up to 120 km/h.
• 🥈 Subaru Outback (Station wagon) - 97% protection in frontal impact, better stability on slippery roads thanks to symmetrical all-wheel drive SI-Drive.
• 🥉 Tesla Model Y (Electrocrossover) - 99% active safety (autopilot FSD), but only 85% protection in a side impact.
• 4️⃣ Lexus RX 500h (Hybrid Crossover) - 96% occupant protection, best-in-class night vision system Lexus Safety System+ 3.0.
• 5️⃣ Mercedes-Benz E-Class (Sedan) - 95% protection, but lost points for vulnerability to cyber attacks (hackers hacked the system in 2023 MBUX via Bluetooth).

Please note: Tesla Model Y leads in active safety, but loses Volvo EX90 in passive protection. This means that Electric cars are not always safer than traditional cars — it all depends on the specific model. For example, BYD Seal (Chinese electric car) received only 3 stars in Euro NCAP due to poor protection of the driver’s legs in a frontal impact.

Safety criteria: what to look for when choosing?

Many buyers mistakenly believe that number of airbags - the main indicator. In fact, this is just one of 10+ criteria. Here's what really matters:

1. Active safety: systems ABS, ESC (stability control), AEB (automatic braking), LDW (lane departure warning). For example, Toyota Corolla 2026 equipped with a system Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which recognizes cyclists even in the dark.
2. Passive safety: body strength, crumple zones, seat belts with pretensioners, side impact protection (e.g. Volvo uses steel Boron, which is 5 times stronger than normal).
3. Pedestrian protection: hood with shock-absorbing elements, automatic brakes when a person is detected. Audi Q5 received the highest score for the system Pre Sense City, which operates at speeds up to 85 km/h.
4. Rollover resistance: low center of gravity (important for crossovers), system RSC (Roll Stability Control). For example, Porsche Macan has a 30% lower risk of rollover than BMW X3.
5. Cybersecurity: protection against hacking of electronic systems. Volvo EX90 uses BlackBerry QNX - the same OS as in military equipment.

⚠️ Attention: If you're choosing a used car, check to see if the model has been recalled for safety defects. For example, Ford Kuga 2020–2022 was recalled due to the risk of battery fire, and Hyundai Tucson 2021 - due to faulty airbags Takata.

Check Euro NCAP rating (at least 4 stars)

Make sure AEB and ESC systems are available

Evaluate the strength of the body (look for models with Boron steel or aluminum)

Check recall history (NHTSA or Rosstandart websites)

Test drive: check visibility and seat comfort (important for long trips) -->

Minibuses vs. Passenger cars: which is safer for the family?

The stereotype says: the larger the car, the safer it is. But this is not always the case. For example, Mercedes-Benz Vito (minibus) received only 3 stars in Euro NCAP 2023 due to poor side impact protection, while Volkswagen Multivan (same class) - full 5 stars. Why?

It's a matter of design: minibuses often have high center of gravity, which increases the risk of capsizing. In addition, many models are not equipped with systems AEB or LDW as standard. However there are exceptions:

Model	Euro NCAP rating	Adult protection	Child protection	Active safety
Volkswagen Multivan	★★★★★	92%	89%	94%
Toyota Alphard	★★★★☆	88%	85%	80%
Ford Tourneo Custom	★★★★☆	85%	82%	75%
Mercedes-Benz Vito	★★★☆☆	78%	76%	65%

Conclusion: if you need a minibus, choose models with low-slung (for example, Multivan) and be sure to check availability ESC and AEB. For families with children, it is better to consider large crossovers like Volvo XC90 or Kia EV9 — they combine space and high safety.

Electric cars: safer or more dangerous than traditional cars?

Electric cars are often touted as the “safest”, but this is not entirely true. On the one hand, they have low center of gravity (due to the heavy battery), which reduces the risk of tipping over. On the other hand - high voltage batteries may become a source of fire if subjected to a strong impact. For example, in 2023 Tesla Model S After the accident, it burned for more than 4 hours, and firefighters could not put it out.

Advantages of electric cars in terms of safety:

• 🔋 Instant torque delivery → fast acceleration (important for overtaking).
• 🛡️ Lack of internal combustion engine → large deformation zone at the front.
• 🤖 Advanced autopilot systems (e.g. Tesla Autopilot or NIO Pilot).

Cons:

• ⚡ Risk of battery fire if damaged (especially for models with NMC- batteries).
• 🔌 Vulnerability of electronic systems to hacker attacks.
• 🚗 High cost of repairs after an accident (for example, battery replacement Tesla can cost up to 20,000 €).

⚠️ Attention: If you're buying a used electric car, be sure to check the battery history through services like TeslaFi or PlugScore. A battery that has been in an accident can lose up to 30% of its capacity and become a fire hazard.

Which electric cars are the safest in 2026?

According to IIHS, the leaders are Volvo EX90 (98% protection), Rivian R1S (97%) and Zeekr 001 (95%). The last two are equipped with batteries with LFP-chemicals that do not burn when damaged. But BYD Atto 3 received only 3 stars due to poor driver leg protection.

Trucks and trucks: how is their safety assessed?

When it comes to trucks, safety criteria are fundamentally different from cars. Here in first place:

1. Collision avoidance systems (AEBS — Automatic Emergency Braking System). For example, Scania R450 stops when it detects a pedestrian at a distance of up to 150 meters.
2. Rollover resistance (system ESP for trucks). Mercedes-Benz Actros has roll sensors that automatically reduce speed when cornering.
3. Driver protection: in the cabins of modern trucks, airbags are installed, including side impact curtain.
4. Driver fatigue monitoring systems (Driver Alert Support). Volvo FH analyzes the driver's facial expressions and warns about falling asleep.

Interesting fact: from 2026 all new trucks in the EU obliged be equipped with systems AEBS and LDW. In Russia, this requirement is not yet in effect, but many carriers install equipment voluntarily - for example, the company "PEC" equips its park DAF XF systems Mobileye.

⚠️ Attention: If you work in logistics, check if the system is certified AEBS on your truck as standard UN R157. Uncertified systems may trigger falsely or, conversely, fail to operate in a critical situation.

How to improve the safety of your vehicle?

Even if your car doesn't have a top safety rating, you can significantly improve its protection. Here's what really works:

• 🔧 Install additional systems:
  • Blind spot sensors (cost from 15,000 ₽, for example, Bosch Blind Spot Assist).
  • 360° camera (helps with parking and maneuvering).
  • Tire pressure monitoring system (for example, TPMS from Schrader).
• 🛡️ Upgrade the body:
  • Install reinforced bumpers (for example, from ARB for SUVs).
  • Replace the glass with triplex with protective film (reduces the risk of cuts in an accident).
• 📱 Use mobile apps:
  • Hudway — displays speed and navigation on the windshield.
  • DriveSafe — blocks calls and messages while driving.

⚠️ Attention: Not all modifications are legal. For example, in Russia it is prohibited to install bumper spikes (fine 5,000 rubles under Article 12.5 of the Administrative Code). Also, you cannot change the body structure without permission from the traffic police (changes to the title are required).

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions about vehicle safety

🔹 Which vehicle is the safest for the city?

For urban conditions, compact models with systems are optimal AEB and good visibility. Leaders of 2026:

• Volvo C40 Recharge (electric car with LiDAR).
• Toyota Corolla Cross (hybrid with system Toyota Safety Sense 3.0).
• Honda Jazz (small, but with 5 Euro NCAP stars).

Avoid large SUVs like Nissan Patrol - They maneuver poorly in traffic jams and have large blind spots.

🔹 Is it true that German cars are safer than Japanese ones?

Not always. For example, Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2023) received 5 stars Euro NCAP, but lost Subaru Outback in the side impact test. Japanese brands are often better at optimizing active safety systems for real-world conditions. For example, Mazda CX-60 has a unique system Vectoring Control, which distributes the braking force to each wheel separately.

🔹 Can you trust security ratings?

Yes, but with reservations. Euro NCAP and IIHS conduct independent tests, but:

• Ratings may vary between markets (e.g. Ford Mustang Mach-E has 5 stars in Europe and 4 in the USA).
• Not all tests take into account real-world conditions (e.g. motorcycles are not assessed at all according to Euro NCAP).
• Manufacturers sometimes optimize cars specifically for testing (for example, strengthening the body only in the impact zones of the dummy).

Better watch not only on stars, but also on percentages (protection of adults, children, pedestrians).

🔹 Which vehicles are the most dangerous?

According to statistics NIIAT (2023), the highest risks of fatal road accidents are in:

• 🏍️ Motorcycles (the risk of death is 28 times higher than in a car).
• 🚜 Agricultural machinery (tractors, combines are often not equipped with seat belts).
• 🚐 Old minibuses (for example, GAZelle until 2010 - no airbags or ABS).
• 🚗 Cars without ESC (electronic stability control). There are still millions of such cars driving in Russia (for example, Lada Priora until 2015).

🔹 Is it worth buying a used vehicle from a safety point of view?

It is possible, but with caution. Here's what to check:

1. Accident history (via Autocode or CarVertical).
2. The condition of the airbags (they need to be changed after deployment!).
3. Performance ESC and ABS (check on diagnostics).
4. Model reviews (eg. Kia Sportage 2017–2019 recalled due to faulty brake hoses).

⚠️ Attention: If the car is more than 10 years old, its safety systems are likely outdated. For example, Toyota Camry 2012 doesn't have AEB and LDW, which are considered mandatory today.