Top 10 Safest Cars To Buy In The UAE

More car buyers than ever before are considering safety ratings and features as key factors before purchasing a car in 2026. With safety a top priority for many UAE drivers, here is a list of models that stand out for their advanced safety technologies and strong crash-test performance from global agencies such as Euro NCAP, ANCAP, and NHTSA.​

1. Smart #5

• Safety Rating: 5 stars (Euro NCAP 2025)
• 7 Airbags
• Safety Features: Autonomous emergency braking (AEB), emergency lane-keep assist, lane-departure prevention, driver fatigue monitoring, blind-spot detection, 360-degree camera, and more.​

The Smart #5 is a new electric SUV that has quickly become a safety benchmark, with a 5-star Euro NCAP rating and one of the highest-ever scores for child protection and safety assist. Its steel–aluminium hybrid body and seven-airbag layout create a rigid safety cell for all occupants. With AEB performance scored at an exceptional level and a full suite of driver aids, it delivers big-car safety in a relatively compact package.​

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2. Mercedes-Benz E-Class

• Safety Rating: 5 stars (Euro NCAP 2024, IIHS Top Safety Pick)
• 8 Airbags
• Safety Features: PRE-SAFE system, Active Brake Assist, adaptive cruise control, Active Lane Change Assist, Crosswind Assist, lane-keeping assist, and more.​

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class combines luxury with top-tier safety, earning a 5-star rating from Euro NCAP with outstanding scores for adult and child occupant protection. Its PRE-SAFE system can detect critical situations and prepare the cabin by tightening belts and adjusting seats before impact. With a rich suite of active safety technology and eight airbags, the E-Class is one of the safest executive sedans on UAE roads.​

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3. Tesla Model Y

• Safety Rating: 5 stars (Euro NCAP 2025, ANCAP, NHTSA)
• 7 Airbags
• Safety Features: Autopilot, automatic emergency braking, collision warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure avoidance, roll-over mitigation, and more.​

The Tesla Model Y is a reference point for EV safety, with 5-star ratings from multiple agencies and excellent child-occupant and safety-assist scores. Its low centre of gravity and strong body structure help it perform very well in crash tests, while seven airbags (including a centre airbag) protect occupants inside. Autopilot brings advanced active safety, combining adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and robust collision-avoidance systems.​

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4. Toyota Corolla

• Safety Rating: 5 stars (Euro NCAP 2024)
• Up to 10 Airbags
• Safety Features: Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane tracing assist, and more.​

The Toyota Corolla proves that a compact sedan can offer big safety, with a 5-star Euro NCAP rating and one of the highest adult-occupant scores in its class. With up to 10 airbags, including rear side and curtain airbags, it delivers excellent passive safety for families. Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 adds active protection with AEB, lane support, adaptive cruise control, and road-sign assist, making the Corolla a standout safe-value choice in the UAE.​

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5. Polestar 3

• Safety Rating: 5 stars (Euro NCAP 2025)
• 9–10 Airbags
• Safety Features: Driver monitoring system, occupant detection radar, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, SmartZone camera/radar cluster, post-impact braking, and more.​

The Polestar 3 is a high-tech electric SUV that excels in occupant protection, with particular strength in child safety according to Euro NCAP. A sophisticated airbag package and a rigid structure form the passive safety backbone. It’s driver monitoring cameras and internal radar, which can detect occupants left in the car, adding a new level of preventative safety alongside advanced AEB and lane-keeping systems.​​

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6. KIA EV5

• Safety Rating: 5 stars (Euro NCAP 2025)
• 7 Airbags
• Safety Features: Forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, emergency lane keeping, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, and more.​

The Kia EV5 is one of the freshest electric SUVs to be tested, scoring 5 stars under Euro NCAP’s latest, stricter protocols. Its seven airbags include a centre airbag for better side-impact protection. Active safety is handled by Kia’s latest ADAS suite, which covers multi-function AEB, lane support, blind-spot intervention, rear cross-traffic braking, and intelligent speed assistance, making it a strong family EV choice in the UAE.​

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7. BMW 5-Series

• Safety Rating: 5 stars (Euro NCAP 2023/2024)
• 7 Airbags
• Safety Features: Active Driving Assistant, frontal collision warning, lane-departure warning, blind-spot detection, cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist.​

The BMW 5-Series delivers a mix of dynamic performance and advanced safety, with a 5-star Euro NCAP rating and strong scores for occupant and safety-assist performance. A robust structure and seven airbags provide comprehensive passive safety. BMW’s Active Driving Assistant adds an extra layer of protection with collision warning, AEB, lane-keeping and blind-spot monitoring, ideal for high-speed UAE commutes.​

Find the best BMW 5-Series for sale in the UAE.

8. Genesis GV60

• Safety Rating: 5 stars (Euro NCAP 2022)
• 8–10 Airbags
• Safety Features: Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane-Keeping Assist, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Surround-View Monitor, and Remote Smart Parking Assist.​

The Genesis GV60 is a luxury electric SUV with a 5-star Euro NCAP rating and a comprehensive airbag layout that can include centre and rear side airbags. Built on a dedicated EV platform, it manages impact forces effectively while protecting the battery and cabin. Genesis equips the GV60 with a broad ADAS package, including forward collision-avoidance, lane-keeping, blind-spot intervention, cross-traffic braking, and remote smart parking, providing high levels of convenience and safety.​​

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9. Volvo XC90

• Safety Rating: 5 stars (Euro NCAP, NHTSA)
• 7 Airbags
• Safety Features: City Safety with pedestrian/cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, Pilot Assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, run-off road mitigation, and collision mitigation support.​

The Volvo XC90 remains one of the most respected names in SUV safety, with 5-star ratings from Euro NCAP and NHTSA plus strong IIHS results. Its seven airbags and highly optimised safety cage deliver excellent adult and child occupant protection. With City Safety AEB, Pilot Assist semi-autonomous driving, and run-off road mitigation, the XC90 offers both crash protection and advanced crash avoidance for UAE families.​

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10. Nissan X-Trail

• Safety Rating: 5 stars (Euro NCAP & ANCAP)
• 7 Airbags
• Safety Features: Intelligent emergency braking, lane departure warning and prevention, blind-spot intervention, rear cross-traffic alert, 360-degree around-view monitor, and hill descent control.​

The Nissan X-Trail is a practical family SUV with strong safety credentials, backed by 5-star ratings from both Euro NCAP and ANCAP. Seven airbags and a family-friendly cabin layout deliver solid protection for all three rows. Safety Shield technologies provide intelligent AEB, lane support, blind-spot intervention, cross-traffic alert, and an around-view monitor, making highway and urban driving safer and more manageable.​​

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Honorary Mentions

1. Honda CR-V

• Safety Rating: 5 stars (Euro NCAP 2024, NHTSA 5-star equivalent)
• 8 Airbags
• Safety Features: Honda Sensing, collision mitigation braking, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, traffic jam assist, blind-spot information, cross-traffic monitor.​

The Honda CR-V remains a favourite among compact SUV buyers, with a 5-star Euro NCAP rating and strong US safety scores. Its eight-airbag setup and carefully engineered structure help deliver balanced protection for front and rear passengers. The Honda Sensing suite adds collision-mitigation braking, lane and road-departure support, adaptive cruise control, and traffic jam assist, making it a safe and comfortable family SUV for UAE traffic conditions.​

Find the best Hyundai CR-V for sale in the UAE.

2. Hyundai Ioniq 5

• Safety Rating: 5 stars (Euro NCAP 2021, IIHS Top Safety Pick+)
• Up to 10 Airbags
• Safety Features: Forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, lane following assist, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, smart cruise control, parking collision-avoidance assist, and remote smart parking assist.​

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a standout electric crossover with a 5-star Euro NCAP rating and top IIHS crash results. Its E-GMP platform and up to 10 airbags provide strong passive safety for all occupants. Hyundai’s SmartSense technology adds comprehensive active safety, from multi-function AEB and lane support to blind-spot intervention and remote smart parking, making the Ioniq 5 a very safe way to go electric in the UAE.

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