Skip advert
Advertisement

Top 10 best cars for safety features

Driver Power asked UK new car buyers about their cars' safety features. Here are the top ten highest rated

  • Covering: Number of electronic safety systems,how easy it is to activate and shut off said systems
  • Winner: Subaru XV Mk2
  • Score: 94.64%

The XV flies under the radar overall in the survey, and barely makes it into the top half of the table. When it comes to safety features, though, its owners couldn’t be happier, awarding it second place both for the number of safety features fitted, and also for how those systems work.

Advertisement - Article continues below

They’re also satisfied with how easy it is to activate and deactivate said systems, awarding the XV a very decent 10th place.

The Polestar 2 and Kia Sorento take second and third places on the category podium. The Polestar beats the XV to first place for the number of safety systems the car is equipped with, and follows that up with an excellent second place for the ease of turning them on and off. 

However, owners only rated safety system functionality at 17th, allowing the XV to run away with the win. The third-placed Sorento has the best-functioning safety systems in the survey, say readers, but a seventh place for ease of activation and ninth for the number of features confirmed its bronze medal.

Your view

“Safety features and ease of access are strong points for Subaru and they should be commended for these elements of their cars.”

Safety features top 10

ModelClassOverall PositionOverall ScoreCategory Score
1. Subaru XV Mk2Mid to Large SUV35th89.87%94.64%
2. Polestar 2Premium Mid to Large SUV17th90.94%94.40%
3. Kia Sorento Mk4Mid to Large SUV2nd92.44%94.35%
4. Volkswagen T-RocMid to Large SUV28th90.19%94.04%
5. Citroen C4 Mk3Compact Family Car1st93.99%93.97%
6. MINI Hatch Mk3Supermini24th90.64%93.83%
7. Toyota Prius Mk4Compact Family Car8th91.45%92.98%
8. Lexus UXPremium Small SUV38th89.56%92.97%
9. Tesla Model 3Executive22nd90.71%92.78%
10. Lexus NX Mk1Premium Mid to Large SUV55th88.68%92.61%
Driver Power car ownership

Now tell us about your car in the Driver Power survey...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Current affairs and features editor

Chris covers all aspects of motoring life for Auto Express. Over a long career he has contributed news and car reviews to brands such as Autocar, WhatCar?, PistonHeads, Goodwood and The Motor Trader.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Tesla Model 3 review
Tesla Model 3 - front tracking

Tesla Model 3 review

Impressive tech and a solid drive keep the Model 3 relevant, but newer rivals offer greater range
In-depth reviews
12 Nov 2026
Car deal alert! Top-selling VW Tiguan and T-Roc now on 0% APR finance
Volkswagen Tiguan UK - front action

Car deal alert! Top-selling VW Tiguan and T-Roc now on 0% APR finance

VW’s Tiguan and T-Roc are now available with 0% APR PCP finance over a 36-month period
News
11 Nov 2026
Longest-range electric cars on sale 2026
Longest-range electric cars - July 2026 header image

Longest-range electric cars on sale 2026

Racking up mega miles? These are the long-range EVs to pick
Best cars & vans
11 Nov 2026
Volkswagen T-Roc Hybrid about to go on sale from £33,725
New Volkswagen T-Roc Hybrid - front

Volkswagen T-Roc Hybrid about to go on sale from £33,725

This new version of the T-Roc is the first-ever full-hybrid car from the brand to be sold in the UK
News
10 Nov 2026

Most Popular

It’s time for Tata to step aside and let the Chinese take over at Jaguar Land Rover
Opinion - Freelander 8

It’s time for Tata to step aside and let the Chinese take over at Jaguar Land Rover

Mike Rutherford thinks the joint-venture between Chery and Jaguar Land Rover could be a match made in heaven
Opinion
8 Nov 2026
BMW i3 vs Mercedes C-Class Electric vs Hyundai Ioniq 6: big test for the 3 Series EV
BMW i3 vs Mercedes C-Class Electric vs Hyundai Ioniq 6 - front tracking

BMW i3 vs Mercedes C-Class Electric vs Hyundai Ioniq 6: big test for the 3 Series EV

The new electric BMW 3 Series takes on Mercedes’ latest C-Class and the updated Hyundai Ioniq 6 in a premium EV showdown
Car group tests
10 Nov 2026
Volkswagen ID. Polo GTI to cost more than Alpine A290 and Peugeot E-208 GTi
Volkswagen ID. Polo GTI - front

Volkswagen ID. Polo GTI to cost more than Alpine A290 and Peugeot E-208 GTi

VW’s all-electric hot hatch aims to do the iconic GTI name proud
News
9 Nov 2026