European car safety and assessment programme Euro NCAP has announced its annual ‘Best in Class’ winners and three of the vehicles tested in 2018 have achieved the coveted award. These include models by Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai and Lexus.
The Mercedes-Benz A‑Class was the stand out performer amongst small family cars. The other vehicle is the one that achieved this year’s overall best result – the Lexus ES. The latter, which is sold in India, is the best all-round performer in the large family car category. Lastly, the Hyundai Nexo is the best of the large off-roaders.
The Lexus ES also claimed Euro NCAP’s new award for best performing hybrid or electric car in the 2018 season of safety testing. Euro NCAP Secretary General Michiel van Ratingen said, “In 2018 we introduced tough new tests, with a particular focus on Vulnerable Road User protection. The three Best in Class award winners this year all clearly demonstrate that car-makers are striving for the highest levels of protection and that Euro NCAP’s assessments are a catalyst for these crucial safety improvements.”
Euro NCAP put automated driving technology to the test in 2018 for the first time and the findings helped clarify some of the confusion motoring consumers are currently experiencing. Assisted driving systems can bring safety and convenience benefits but full automation is a long way off. The testing programme has announced that it will follow and assess these developments closely and ensure that consumers have all the information they need when considering these new driver technologies.
