The safest cars of 2018 based on Euro NCAP rating

MANILA: We probably are living in the age of major evolutions of human civilisation. Since the invention of cars, we have reached very far in terms of technology. Not only we have better engines and design languages but the level of safety these newer cars are coming with is nothing short of extraordinary.

European NCAP (New Car Assessment Program) assesses a whole lot of cars every year. Some come out with flying colors, and others don’t even make out of that testing facility. In the year 2018, which is just about to end, we saw 3 cars doing exceptionally well in the testing done by NCAP. The three cars are the Hyundai Nexo, Mercedes-Benz A-Class, and the Lexus ES.

In adult occupant, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class scored an overwhelming score of 96 percent along with perfect scores in child occupant protection as well. In the tests which examined the offset and head-on-impact on the car, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class did pretty well. In the side impact and pole impact test, the car did not face any significant intervention either. For the automatic emergency braking system, the European NCAP appreciated the execution of the system by A-Class. Both in day and night situations, the car stopped well before the object, leaving a good distance between itself and the pedestrian.

European NCAP appreciated the Lexus ES for added safety of the driver and front passenger thanks to the knee airbags. In the adult occupant protection test, the sedan scored 91 percent. The Lexus ES was given the status of the best performer in both large sedan and hybrid & electric cars. Both the side and pole impact test also showed minor injury risk and the sedan also scored a perfect rating in child occupant protection test. Automatic emergency braking and cyclist detection were also given a thumbs-up by the testing agency.

Coming to the Hyundai Nexo, the car also scored a remarkable 96 percent in adult occupant protection test. The car scored high in frontal and side-impact tests. Also, it achieved a perfect score in the child occupant protection test. Other safety features like pedestrian protection and automatic braking system did well without breaking a sweat.