The safest SUVs in the UK of 2024
If you’re on the lookout for a brand-new SUV, chances are you’ve got a family in tow. And if you’ve got a family to cart about from place to place, it’s fair to assume that safety is probably going to be right at the top of your priority list. So what are the safest SUVs on sale, then?
Euro NCAP, the people responsible for awarding a car its safety rating based on a rigorous testing procedure, take many things into account. They award a score for adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, vulnerable road user (IE pedestrians and cyclists) protection, and safety assistance systems such as auto-emergency braking. All up, there are 157 points to be had.
Naturally, all of the SUVs below have a five-star rating, but if you want to drill down into the nitty-gritty to find out exactly what is the best safety rated SUV on sale, read on.
What's good
What’s not so good
When tested by Euro NCAP, the iX achieved the full five stars with a 91% score for adult occupant protection, 87% for child occupants, 73% for protecting vulnerable road users, and 81% for its safety assistance systems. There are some cars on this list with even more impressive scores, but the iX takes the top spot because it has five stars from Euro NCAP and a 9/10 rating from carwow’s expert reviewers.
What's good
What’s not so good
As well as being impressively safe, the Model Y also offers a battery range of up to 331 miles, while also having serious performance and impressive luggage space. The UK doesn't get the seven-seat Model Y offered in some markets, but give the rearmost row is pretty tight when fitted, that's not the dealbreaker it might be.
Sell your car for what it's really worth
The free, easy way to get 5,500+ dealers all over the UK bidding on your car
What's good
What’s not so good
And while the respective 71% and 70% pedestrian and safety-assist marks were some way off the Model Y's ratings in those areas, they're still pretty respectable, and didn't prevent the Taigo getting the full five-star award.
What's good
What’s not so good
What's good
What’s not so good
Comfortable, stylish and with decent performance, the NX is a left-field rival to models like the Audi Q5 and Porsche Macan, offered either as a plug-in or self-charging hybrid.
Also impressive the GV60's NCAP rating, as within its five stars sit an 89% adult rating, an 87% child one, plus an 88% safety-assist score. A middling 63% mark for the protection the GV60 provides for pedestrians isn't quite as good, though.
What's good
What’s not so good
NCAP likes the RX as well, giving it five stars, together with consistently strong 90%, 87%, 89% and 91% scores in the adult, child, pedestrian and safety-tech categories, respectively.
What's good
What’s not so good
What's good
What’s not so good
What's good
What’s not so good
History lesson over, the C40 got a 92% adult score from NCAP, plus an 89% child-occupant mark, a 70% grade for the protection afforded to pedestrians, and a strong 89% mark for its safety-assist technology. On top of all that, the C40 is also an impressive EV in general, with neat styling, the plush, refined interior we've come to expect from modern Volvos, as well as seriously swift 408hp twin electric motor setup and a range of up to 273 miles. The only real downside is that rear visibility is pretty compromised thanks to the small rear window.
What's good
What’s not so good
Spacious, comfortable and pleasant to drive, the ID.4's infotainment system could be better, but it's a well-rounded nevertheless.
What's good
What’s not so good
Away from safety, the X-Trail is a seven-seat SUV with strong levels of equipment, while it's also a quiet, refined performer both in town, and on the motorway. The optional third row of seating is really only for children, but they're useful to have nonetheless.
What's good
What’s not so good
We like the CX-60's high levels of standard equipment, plus its interior quality and the overall cabin design, though it is a little pricey given it's up against rivals like the BMW X3.
What's good
What’s not so good
Browse all SUVs
-
 
  -
 
  -
 
 
Advice about safe SUVs
Safest SUVs FAQs
Browse other car types
- 4x4 Cars
- 7-Seater Cars
- Automatic Cars
- Cheap Cars
- Convertible Cars
- Coupe Cars
- Crossover Cars
- Electric Cars
- Estate Cars
- Executive Cars
- Family Cars
- First Cars
- GT Cars
- Hatchbacks
- Hot Hatches
- Hybrid Cars
- Luxury Cars
- MPVs
- Medium-sized Cars
- Most Economical Cars
- Motability Cars
- SUVs
- Saloon Cars
- Small Cars
- Sports Cars
- Superminis