The safety of us and our passengers will be the priority of every good driver every time we get behind the wheel of a car. But sometimes, no matter how cautious we might be, accidents do happen.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that nearly 1.25 million people die every year because of car accidents. And when you also consider that at the end of December 2018 there were 38.2 million registered vehicles on the road in the UK, these figures start to feel pretty humbling.
It always pays to be cautious but one of the benefits of driving a brand spanking new car is that it’s kitted out with the latest tech and car safety features. The world’s safest car brands work hard to protect you in the event of an accident, which is why we’ve made our list of the safest cars on the road 2019.
Volvo
If you’re looking to find one of the world’s safest car brands, look no further than Volvo – specifically, the Volvo XC90.
In 2018 the Volvo XC90 was crowned the safest car, with no road deaths in 16 years, thanks to its fleet of high-tech safety systems, like automatic braking. Considering the Volvo XC90 launched in 2002, this gives it an immaculate safety record. So much so, Thatcham Research even went as far as to name it the safest vehicle ever tested.
Volvo was the first manufacturer to develop Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), which automatically applies the car’s brakes in order to prevent collisions. AEB uses lasers, cameras and radars to detect potential hazards, like pedestrians or other vehicles. This technology is also found in the VW Golf and some Mercedes models and is said to potentially lower insurance premiums.
In 2019, EURO NCAP announced that two other Volvo models had received 5-star ratings in crash testing and have done since 2013. They are the V60, the S60 and XC40 – so whatever Volvo model you choose, rest assured that you’re behind the wheel of one of the best safety cars on the road.
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Mercedes-Benz
The Mercedes A-Class also has a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating and was 2018’s safest small family car, scoring a whopping 96%.
What do we have to say? It’s German and engineered to perfection and one of the most stylish cars on the road (we’ll take one in Cosmos Black, please). For starters, Lane Assist, Active Bonnet and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) systems for cyclists, pedestrians and city driving are all standard features across the A-Class, giving it some of the best safety features in modern cars.
The G-Class and E-Class also rank highly for car safety, making Mercedes-Benz a huge contender for one of the world’s safest car brands.
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BMW
Another testament to German engineering is the Bavarian powerhouse, BMW; specifically the X5. In 2019, the X5 was given a complete overhaul, with focus on an even more stylish interior that provides a luxury driving experience for all passengers. However, the overhaul really comes into its own when it comes to its car safety features.
The BMW X5 ranks highly for its impressive fleet of safety features – that includes the new Backup Assistant parking system, automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist, which are all among the range’s standard features now.
Much-loved among BMW drivers is the executive GT 6 Series, which also receives a solid 5-star NCAP rating, as does the ever-popular 1 Series.
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Volkswagen
The Volkswagen Polo is a firm favourite among youngsters. Firstly, the name Volkswagen goes hand-in-hand with quality, reliability and style. Secondly, parents of new drivers can sleep soundly because the Polo is one of the safest cars for new drivers out there.
An article in Auto Express highlights the Polo’s overall NCAP score of 96% in the Adult Occupant protection category. NCAP test in four key areas; adult protection, child protection, pedestrian protection and safety assist. While scores for child, pedestrian and safety assist were 85%, 76% and 59% respectively, they’re still high for the class, making this one of the safest cars to drive for youngsters.
True to German form, the Polo is a practical car but it’s also really fun to drive. The Polo is a great starter model for those aspiring to get behind the wheel of the stylish Volkswagen Golf in a few years’ time once their premiums have come down.
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Contact Just Drive
There’s no substitute for careful driving but it’s always good to know that you’ve got a good safety blanket for extra padding should something go wrong. Regardless of budget or preference, the bottom line is that new cars will always have the latest technology and safety features. By leasing your next car, you’ll always be driving the safest possible car until you trade it in for your next one.
Get in touch with Just Drive and we’ll help you find the safest car to drive.