Safest SUVs 2026
These SUVs are wise investments if the unthinkable happens
There’s no shortage of SUVs on British roads, so the pressure is on for manufacturers to build cars that are worthy of being declared as the safest SUVs on sale. One of the biggest advantages of this fierce competition is that you no longer need to pay top dollar for the latest safety tech.
But to officially claim the title of the safest SUVs on sale, manufacturers first have to send their new models to Euro NCAP for rigorous testing. It is not just about fitting the latest safety tech or scoring highly for adult and child occupants, these hefty SUVs also need to show they can protect vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. Only once they pass these tests can they truly claim the safest SUV crown.
Whether you’re looking for a big family car, a capable off-roader or simply something with a bit of road presence, these are the safest SUVs you can buy, according to the latest Euro NCAP testing.
Mazda CX-80
- Prices from £50,000
- Euro NCAP Rating: 5 stars (2024)
- Adult occupant score: 92%
- Child occupant score: 88%
- Vulnerable road users score: 84%
- Safety assist score: 79%
While the Mazda CX-80 is a bit of a left-field option in the large SUV world, it is one that’s worth considering if safety is a priority. This seven-seater SUV offers generous room for all occupants inside, and it’s genuinely enjoyable to drive for its size.
Perhaps the most surprising feature of this car, though, is that it is available with a 3.3-litre diesel engine. If you don’t fancy filling up from the black pump, you can opt for a 2.5-litre plug-in hybrid instead.
Polestar 4
- Prices from £55,000
- Euro NCAP Rating: 5 stars (2025)
- Adult occupant score: 92%
- Child occupant score: 85%
- Vulnerable road users score: 81%
- Safety assist score: 79%
While the aforementioned Mazda is a sizable seven-seater with the option of diesel power, the Polestar 4 sits at the polar opposite end of the SUV spectrum. This purely electric car is only available with five seats, and it’s a very tech-focussed place to be. In fact, even the rear-view mirror is actually a camera, a fact which quickly becomes obvious when you realise there is no rear window whatsoever. Aside from this unique quirk, though, the Polestar 4 is straightforward to drive, and every variant claims over 350 miles of range, so it’ll be easy to live with, too.
Audi Q6 e-tron
- Prices from £61,000
- Euro NCAP Rating: 5 stars (2025)
- Adult occupant score: 91%
- Child occupant score: 92%
- Vulnerable road users score: 81%
- Safety assist score: 80%
While it’s not quite as distinctive to look at as the similarly priced BMW iX, the Audi Q6 e-tron is one of the most spacious and practical cars in the mid-size SUV class. There’s plenty of top-shelf technology to be found throughout the cabin, too, and even the smaller 83kWh battery is good for an official WLTP combined range of 326 miles. The price does climb at a noticeable pace if you look towards the options list, but our testers struggled to fault the sheer level of quality that this Audi offers.
Safest SUV Euro NCAP scores
| Adult occupant | Child occupant | Vulnerable road users | Safety assist | |
| Mazda CX-80 | 92% | 88% | 84% | 79% |
| Polestar 4 | 92% | 85% | 81% | 79% |
| Audi Q6 e-tron | 91% | 92% | 81% | 80% |
| Audi Q4 e-tron | 91% | 87% | 79% | 73% |
| Polestar 3 | 90% | 93% | 79% | 83% |
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