Which car is the safest to drive today?

[Mr Robert]

I got a question from a client today. She asked me, what car would you say is the safest one to drive on the road today.

I had no idea, so I went with the standard answer of "that all depends". But what car is considered the safest car in 2016?

 

[EnI]

Anyone with a skilled driver.

 

[Kowalski]

Strong frame? Check.
Overtakes in a breeze? Check.
Stops on a dime? Check.
Handles like it's on rails? Check.

Safest car (a lot of) money can buy.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

For me safest cars around are Volvo (90 series) and Mercedes-Benz (S-klasse and E-klasse).

 

[MikeJ]

The Avtoros Shaman, of course.

But seriously, that question does not work on its own. Safest for whom? A car that's safe for the occupants (i.e. big and heavy) might be more dangerous for other road users in the case of an accident. And of course, if you're driving a 'safe' car (meaning you're less worried what might happen to you if you crash) you might take unnecessary risks which could mean that you're more likely to have an accident. So, all in all, 'it depends' is the only correct answer.

 

[Giannis]

A quick google search indicates that the safest car ever tested by EuroNCAP is indeed the current Volvo XC90.

 

[Mr Robert]

The Avtoros Shaman, of course.

But seriously, that question does not work on its own. Safest for whom? A car that's safe for the occupants (i.e. big and heavy) might be more dangerous for other road users in the case of an accident. And of course, if you're driving a 'safe' car (meaning you're less worried what might happen to you if you crash) you might take unnecessary risks which could mean that you're more likely to have an accident. So, all in all, 'it depends' is the only correct answer.

That is a very important angle. I think big and heavy cars treated a bit to kind. We do not want 2+ ton cars on the road, while saying that downsize is the way to go.

Driver safety is, however, also important, and in that category, heavy vehicles will get good grades. Well, as long as they are not built like trucks and collapse when rolling.

 

[Kowalski]

Performance is also fundamental for a car's safety, because you really don't want to be driving an slow car when overtaking a lorry.

Acceleration times from 0 to 62 mph or 0 to 100 kph are good for marketing, but in real life, what matters most are acceleration times from 50 to 80 mph or 80 to 120 kph.

Any car that takes 10 seconds or more to accelerate from 50 mph to 80 mph or 80 kph to 120 kph can be considered dangerous for road use.

I once drove a 55 bhp VW Fox and I had to downshift to third gear and nearly blow the engine to overtake an small truck on a stretch of road. Overtaking in that piece of shit was always a nerve racking experience. You don't know how f#cking big a truck is until you have to overtake one in a badly underpowered car.

 

[DjordjeC63]

A quick google search indicates that the safest car ever tested by EuroNCAP is indeed the current Volvo XC90.

But there is no S class or 7 series on that test. Pity.

This one is pretty safe, but not good if you run into wall or have to manouver

 

[Centurion]

Performance is also fundamental for a car's safety, because you really don't want to be driving an slow car when overtaking a lorry.

Acceleration times from 0 to 62 mph or 0 to 100 kph are good for marketing, but in real life, what matters most are acceleration times from 50 to 80 mph or 80 to 120 kph.

Any car that takes 10 seconds or more to accelerate from 50 mph to 80 mph or 80 kph to 120 kph can be considered dangerous for road use.

I once drove a 55 bhp VW Fox and I had to downshift to third gear and nearly blow the engine to overtake an small truck on a stretch of road. Overtaking in that piece of shit was always a nerve racking experience. You don't know how ****ing big a truck is until you have to overtake one in a badly underpowered car.

Ditto!

I'm a preacher of performance cars and have told many of my friends that a car with good performance and handling empower you to more safely and successfully do evasive manoeuvres at 40mph and above.

Two years ago I had a Fiat 500 as a rental car, and on a few occasions I could feel the rear tyres losing grip or lifting when driving it hastily on B-roads. Other cars I have owned myself after that, have been much more planted and stable on roads.

There is more to safety than crash test ratings.

 

[Rolf]

This is definitely not one of the safest cars on the road. Imagine experiencing this!!! LOL

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