Car Safety Ratings: Top Picks for 2025

When choosing a rental car, we often look at its class, trunk capacity, or fuel consumption. But there is one parameter that becomes decisive in a foreign country: the safety rating. In Cyprus, where you'll encounter mountain serpentines, busy coastal highways, and unfamiliar left-hand traffic, a car's ability to protect you and your family is of paramount importance.

Modern safety technologies have advanced significantly. Today's cars actively help avoid hazardous situations. For example, electronic systems monitor lane markings, detect pedestrians, and can even brake automatically in a critical situation.

Our guide will help you understand how independent agencies rate passenger car safety, which models to look out for in 2025, and which technologies will ensure a calm and confident driving in Cyprus experience.

How Safety Ratings Are Formed

When you see a "5-star safety" rating in a car's description, it represents a tremendous amount of work by independent experts. In Europe, the main authority in this field is the Euro NCAP organization. Since 1997, it has been conducting rigorous and comprehensive crash test results on new cars, constantly raising the bar for automakers. 

The final score is based on an analysis of four main areas:

• Adult Occupant Protection. This assesses how well the car's structure absorbs impact energy and protects the driver and front passenger. Crash tests are conducted to simulate the most common accident scenarios: frontal and side collisions of varying severity.
• Child Occupant Protection. Experts test how well the vehicle protects dummies representing 6 and 10-year-old children seated in certified car seats. The ease and reliability of installing different types of child seats are also evaluated.
• Vulnerable Road User Protection.This category analyzes how the design of the car's front end (bumper, hood) minimizes injuries to a person in a collision. Special attention is paid to the performance of Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) systems that can recognize people on the road.
• Safety Assist.This is an assessment of the car's "brain"—the electronic systems that help the driver prevent an accident. This includes lane-keeping systems, speed control, traffic sign recognition, and, of course, AEB that functions in various conditions.

When choosing a rental car in Cyprus, it is crucial to rely on the Euro NCAP rating. The specifications of cars for European, American, and Asian markets can differ significantly. Only the Euro NCAP rating guarantees that the safety systems listed in the report will be installed in the car you receive at the rental location.

Top Safety Picks for 2025

We have analyzed the latest Euro NCAP ratings and selected models that offer the highest level of protection in their classes. High crash-test scores and advanced driver-assistance systems make them the best choice for safe driving in Cyprus.

Subcompact / City Cars

Compact cars are convenient for navigating the narrow streets of old towns and finding parking in crowded areas. In 2025, city hatchbacks are equipped with technologies that were recently available only in premium segments, providing a high level of safety.

Volkswagen Polo

• Rating: 5 stars from Euro NCAP crash tests.
• Safety Features: The Polo received high scores for adult (94%) and child (80%) protection. The Front Assist system, which includes Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), is particularly noteworthy. It monitors traffic ahead and can prevent a low-speed collision or minimize its damage. The Lane Assist system warns the driver of unintentional lane departure and actively helps keep the car within the lane markings.
• Pros for Cyprus: Its compact size and easy handling facilitate adaptation to left-hand traffic. Predictable road behavior and excellent visibility are important in dense city traffic and with unfamiliar road markings.

Renault Clio

• Ratingng:5 stars from Euro NCAP.
• Safety Features:The Clio is equipped with one of the most advanced ADAS packages in its class, including Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), which helps maintain a safe distance on motorways. The traffic sign recognition system, which displays current Cyprus speed limits on the dashboard, is a helpful tool for tourists, helping to avoid fines. The car also received high ratings for side impact protection.
• Pros for Cyprus: A good suspension system handles uneven roads well. Economical engines make it attractive for long trips, and the presence of modern assistance systems helps to cope with the peculiarities of Cypriot roads.

Sedans and Station Wagons

For long trips around the island or family vacations, spacious and comfortable sedans and station wagons are a great fit. These vehicles offer a higher level of passive safety due to their robust body structure, as well as advanced active safety systems.

Skoda Octavia

• Rating: 5 stars from Euro NCAP.
• Safety Features: The Octavia consistently leads its class in safety, with high scores for adult (92%) and child (88%) protection. The Crew Protect Assist system deserves special mention; in the event of an accident or a collision threat, it automatically tightens the seat belts and closes the windows. The car is also equipped with a lane-keeping assistant and an emergency evasive steering assist.
• Pros for Cyprus: The roomy interior and huge trunk of the station wagon make it ideal for family trips. The car handles confidently on the highway and provides comfort during travel between cities.

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

• Rating:5 stars from Euro NCAP.
• Safety Features:The C-Class is equipped with one of the most advanced sets of active systems. The Driving Assistance Package includes an active lane-keeping assistant and adaptive cruise control. These systems work effectively even on complex road sections, helping the driver maintain their trajectory. Special attention is given to pedestrian and cyclist protection.
• Pros for Cyprus:Exceptional comfort and an efficient air conditioning system provide a pleasant experience in the hot climate. Premium safety systems offer an extra level of peace of mind as you navigate a new driving environment.

Crossovers and SUVs

This segment is particularly popular in Cyprus. High ground clearance and all-wheel drive are important if you plan to venture off the asphalt to reach remote beaches or explore mountain trails. Modern crossovers also offer excellent safety and a high seating position, which significantly improves visibility.

Mazda CX-5

• Rating:5 stars from Euro NCAP.
• Safety Features:The CX-5 shows excellent results in collisions due to its strong body structure and effective airbag performance. Standard equipment includes City Brake Support (an AEB equivalent) that works at both city and highway speeds. A lane-keeping assistant is also provided.
• Pros for Cyprus: An excellent combination of comfort and good ground clearance. The car holds steady on winding roads and provides good visibility, which is especially valuable on Cypriot mountain roads.

Volvo XC40

• Rating: 5 stars from Euro NCAP.
• Safety Features:Volvo traditionally sets the standard for safety. The XC40 received one of the highest scores in its class for adult protection (97%). The City Safety package includes systems that help avoid collisions with other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and even large animals. The lane-keeping system and blind-spot monitoring also work flawlessly.
• Pros for Cyprus: A high seating position and all-wheel drive (in some versions) make it easy to tackle uneven roads and inclines. Volvo's safety suite reduces the stress of navigating unfamiliar roads.

What to Look for When Choosing a Safe Car in Cyprus

When choosing a rental car, it's important to look not only at the overall Euro NCAP rating but also at the specific systems.

Presence of Systems: AEB, Lane Keeping Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control:

• AEB (Autonomous Emergency Braking). This system should be a priority. It scans the space in front of the car and automatically applies the brakes if it detects a risk of collision that the driver is not reacting to. In Cyprus, where traffic intensity and driver behavior can differ from what you're used to, AEB is insurance against sudden maneuvers or distractions.
• Lane Keeping Assist (LKA). This is very useful when adapting to left-hand traffic. It helps the driver instinctively avoid drifting into the oncoming lane, which is especially relevant in the first few days after getting a driving license in Cyprus.
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). This eases driving on motorways by maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle ahead.

Adaptation to Cyprus's Climate and Roads (Heat, Mountainous Terrain)

The Cypriot climate, especially in summer, requires effective air conditioning. A high safety rating is meaningless if the driver loses concentration due to the heat. Choose cars with powerful climate control systems.

When planning trips to mountainous areas (like the Troodos mountains) or on unpaved roads, a car with sufficient ground clearance is necessary. Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control systems will also be beneficial.

Conclusion

Choosing a car for travel in a foreign country is always a balance between price, comfort, and safety. But it is the last factor that should be decisive. On unfamiliar roads, with unfamiliar rules and signs, a reliable and technologically advanced car becomes the key to your peace of mind.

In 2025, automakers offer a wide range of models equipped with the latest safety systems. Your task is to choose the one that best suits your route and driving style. Your approach to selecting a car directly impacts the quality and safety of your trip. Successful driving in Cyprus depends not only on having a valid driving license but also on how well-prepared your car is for local conditions.

Use this knowledge to choose the right option, follow the rules, including Cyprus speed limits, and your trip will bring only positive emotions.