The Volkswagen’s ID.7 has been awarded the 2024 What Car? Safety Award. The result was confirmed at the annual What Car? Car of the Year Awards in London. 

The ID.7 emerged victorious from a five-car shortlist, with all vehicles selected based on their five-star Euro NCAP test scores. They were then assessed by the What Car? judging panel  on criteria such as active and passive safety technology innovation, vulnerable road user protection and the on-road driving performance of their advanced driver assistance systems. 

Following an on-road review by Thatcham Research’s experts, the ID.7’s ADAS performance demonstrated a collaborative approach to safety system integration alongside its excellent Euro NCAP score. This represents a positive progression for Volkswagen, which has previously received mixed reviews for the performance of some of its ADAS features, focused largely on its lane keeping system.

The ID.7 also boasts a variety of innovative safety technology aimed at reducing risk to vulnerable road users such as a pop-up bonnet and sudden door opening prevention should a cyclist ride alongside the driver door. Its 95% adult occupant protection score was also the highest of any car that featured in the Safety Award shortlist.

Finishing close behind the Volkswagen ID.7, the BMW 5 Series and the BYD SEAL were also praised for their strong safety performance.