Your next five-star car is about to get a lot safer – here’s why

A five-star Euro NCAP rating has always been one of the easiest ways to judge whether a new car is safe. But if you’re shopping for a new car, that familiar badge is about to tell you much more than it did before.

Euro NCAP has introduced its biggest overhaul of crash testing in years, making it harder than ever for manufacturers to earn the maximum five-star rating. The aim isn’t simply to build cars that survive crashes – it’s to encourage manufacturers to build cars that help you avoid one altogether.

For you, that’s good news. A five-star rating is becoming an even stronger sign that a car can keep you and your family safe, both before and after an accident.

Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.

Don’t just compare the stars anymore

You may have treated Euro NCAP ratings like exam results in the past…

• Five stars? That’s the one to buy.
• Four stars? Probably still a safe bet.
• Three stars? Worth digging into before signing on the dotted line.

That simple approach still still works, but it’s still no longer telling the whole story.

Instead of asking one question – “How well does this car protect me in a crash?” – Euro NCAP is now asking four.

1. Will the car help you stop crashing?

This is where you’ll notice the biggest change.

Modern cars are packed with tech designed to prevent accidents, but not every system performs equally well.

Euro NCAP now spends much more time testing whether these features actually work in real-world situations. For instance:

• Can the car spot a cyclist before you do?
• Will it brake if the traffic ahead suddenly stops?
• Can it recognise a motorcyclist crossing your path at a junction?
• Will it gently guide you back into your lane without feeling intrusive?

These are the kind of situations you’ll encounter every day, so they’re not a bigger part of a car’s overall safety score.

2. Is the car’s tech actually easy to use?

Are the safest cars the ones with the biggest screens and the most technology? Euro NCAP doesn’t necessarily agree.

The organisation now rewards manufacturers that keep important controls simple and intuitive. Research from IAM RoadSmart and the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) shows drivers spend more time looking away from the road when basic functions are buried inside touchscreen menus.

So if you’re comparing two cars in a showroom, don’t overlook the little things. Physical controls for the indicators, hazard lights, headlights or gear selector may not seem exciting, but they can help you keep your eyes where they belong – on the road.

3. If you do have an accident, how well does the car protect you?

Rest assured that traditional crash testing hasn’t gone away.

Euro NCAP still crashes cars into barriers, measures how the structure performs and checks how well airbags and seatbelts protect occupants.

The difference is that testing now reflects a wider range of people. Engineers at Euro NCAP assess protection for adults and children of different sizes, helping ensure a car performs well regardless of who’s sitting inside.

If the worst does happen, you still want a car that can absorb the impact and protect everyone on board.

4. What happens after the crash?

Safety doesn’t end when the vehicle comes to a stop.

Euro NCAP now assesses how well a car responds after an accident, answering questions such as:

• Can it automatically call the emergency services?
• Do the doors unlock so occupants can get out or rescuers can get in?
• If it’s an electric car, does it safely disconnect the high-voltage battery to reduce the risk of fire?

They’re features you’ll hopefully never need, but if you do, they could make all the difference.

What this means when you’re buying your next car

If you’re comparing the safety of new cars over the next few years, don’t stop at the overall star rating. Instead, take a closer look at why a car earned those stars.

Have these types of questions at the back of your mind:

• Does it have effective crash avoidance systems?
• Are the controls easy to use without taking your eyes off the road?
• How did it perform after a crash?

The answers to those questions could tell you far more than the rating score alone.

Car change? Carwow!

Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.

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