Safest urban run-arounds

Driving in heavy traffic in urban areas can be unpredictable and risky. So which car will keep you secure behind the wheel?

UK road-accident statistics show that there are around 100 casualties each day, so if you are planning to buy a new urban run-around, it makes sense to do your homework. Research just released by the European New Car Assessment Programme (EURO NCAP) will help you choose the safest small car to get you through the city.

Whatever type of new car you are buying, whether a family car, an urban run-around, or an executive model, the EURO NCAP results will help you decide.

Safest urban run-arounds

Three of the safest city cars and ‘superminis’ on the market, according to the EURO NCAP assessments, are the Toyota iQ, the Fiat 500 and the Hyundai i20.

All these cars got excellent results in vigorous tests designed to find out how safe they were for adult and child occupants – and also for pedestrians in case they are hit.

The Toyota iQ features nine airbags as standard – including a rear window curtain shield airbag – as well as Anti-lock Brakes (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control.

The Fiat 500 has seven airbags, ABS, EBD and hydraulic brake assistance (HBA). Its adjustable ‘cockpit’ adapts to drivers of any size, which, together with the glazed area, allows the best possible view of the road. An FPS Fire Prevention System is also fitted as standard.

The Hyundai i20 is one of the few superminis that offers stability control as standard across the range. Its also has six airbags and anti-whiplash head restraints.

Whichever model you go for, it’s a good idea to look for a car with the latest safety features, such as EBD. This enhancement of ABS helps the brakes cope if the grip is different at each wheel, bringing the car to a halt in a straight line.

A smart seatbelt reminder system can also help save lives. The best systems sense which seats are occupied and alerts the driver if any belts haven’t been fastened.

Dual-stage airbags are also a good idea. These inflate less rapidly in lower- severity impacts, reducing the chance of airbag-related injuries.

Two of the least safe cars in the small car category, according to the EURO NCAP testing, are the Fiat Seicento and the Rover 100.

No matter how safe your car is, make sure you have adequate car insurance cover, get an online quotation today.

Related information

Crash protocol
Life-saving car technologies
Top reasons accidents occur