Thatcham Research has revealed what it considers to be the safest models released last year.
As the lead contributor to the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP), it has reported that all the cars tested during the past 12 months scored at least a four-star safety rating for the first time in the programme’s history, with 80% receiving the highest five-star accolade.
Matthew Avery, Thatcham Research chief research strategy officer, said, “Thatcham Research actively promotes innovation in both impact protection and crash avoidance technologies, and as leading advocates for the Euro NCAP programme, it is satisfying to see 50 out of the 66 cars tested in 2022 achieving a five-star rating, resulting in perhaps the strongest safest cars list we have seen.
“This is something for which carmakers should be applauded, and we are pleased so many are continuing to prioritise motorist and vulnerable road user safety – especially during times of great technological and economic disruption.”
Meanwhile, nine of the 10 models are either full electric or hybrid, emphasising the growing range of zero emission vehicles entering the UK market.
The 10 models are: BMW X1; Hyundai Ioniq 6; Lexus NX; Mazda CX-60; Mercedes-Benz EQE; Nissan Ariya; ORA Funky Cat; Smart #1; Tesla Model Y; and the Toyota bZ4X.
