In this guide
Safety features can be the difference between a minor scare and a serious injury. Here is what each one does and why it matters.
Passive safety (protects you in a crash)
- Airbags: more airbags, including side and curtain airbags, protect occupants from more angles.
- Body structure: a strong passenger cell that absorbs impact — reflected in independent crash-test ratings.
- Seat belts with reminders and pre-tensioners.
- ISOFIX mounts: for securely fitting child seats.
Active safety (helps you avoid a crash)
- ABS with EBD: prevents wheel lock and balances braking force.
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC): helps you keep control in sudden manoeuvres and slippery conditions.
- Traction control and hill-hold assist.
- Parking sensors and cameras: reduce low-speed accidents.
Driver assistance (ADAS)
Features such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist and adaptive cruise control can reduce driver fatigue and risk on highways. They add cost, so decide whether you drive enough on highways to benefit.
How to prioritise
- Look up independent crash-test ratings for the model where available.
- Check which safety features come standard in each variant — do not assume the base variant has them.
- Do not trade safety for cosmetic features when choosing a variant.