Car optionsCar safety options

More and more safety features are now included as standard on new cars. But many of them, including important crash-avoidance technologies, are often only available as options.

Here are the car safety features you should try to make sure your new car comes fitted with. If they’re not included, consider paying extra for them or think about choosing a different car.

You can find out more about some of these car safety options in the Which? guide to the best car safety features.

Electronic stability control can help in emergencies

Electronic stability control

Electronic stability control, or ESC, is a crash-prevention system that helps drivers regain control when their car starts to swerve or skid.

Sensors around the car can detect the course of the vehicle and help to bring it back on track by braking individual wheels.

And while independent studies from Europe and the US have shown it could help prevent up to a third of all road accidents, only some manufacturers include stability control on their cars as standard.

You can see whether electronic stability control is fitted on your car, or one you’re thinking of buying, by visiting the Thatcham website.

Although we think all new cars should be fitted with ESC as standard, it can cost anything up to £1000 as an option. On the new Ford Ka, for example, it’ll set you back £400.

The best head restraints react to crashes

Active head restraints

Active head restraints, which work by reducing the load applied to the occupant’s head and neck during a collision, can be useful in preventing whiplash.

Some are mechanical, using the momentum of your body being forced back into the seat to push the headrest to support your head. Others are pyrotechnically powered in the same way as airbags, for example.

One of the best steps you can take to avoid whiplash is to make sure your head is level with the centre of the headrest.

Isofix child car seat mounts

Isofix points make it easier to secure a child car seat

Isofix points let you mount a child car seat quickly and safely – without using the adult seatbelts. For more on Isofix systems, and to find a Best Buy, read the Which? guide to child car seats.

Side curtain airbags

These usually drop down from the roof lining above the windows to protect the heads of front and rear passengers in the event of a side-on crash. Curtain airbags are sometimes included as standard, but not always. For instance, they’re a £250 option on the new Ford Fiesta.

It's rare for all airbags to be included as standard

Pre-tensioned and load-limited seatbelts

Seatbelt pre-tensioners take up any slack in the belt when they detect a crash is imminent. Load limiters, on the other hand, prevent injury by allowing the belt to stretch slightly in a crash if too high a load is placed on the seat’s occupant.

Parking sensors

Front and rear parking sensors are particularly useful in larger cars, but they’re not always thrown in as standard. Rear parking sensors are included on the new BMW 3 Series, for example, but if you want front sensors as well you’ll have to pay £285 more.

Tyre pressure monitoring systems

A tyre pressure monitoring system can alert you to punctures and let you know when it’s time to top up the air in your car tyres. Some cars have this feature as standard but on the new Skoda Superb, for example, it’s a £100 option. For more on tyre pressures, read the Which? car tyre guide.

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