The ten safest new cars for 2019

The UK’s independent safety research body, Thatcham Research, in conjunction with What Car? magazine, has declared the Mercedes-Benz A-Class to be the safest new car for 2019. The shortlist of the ten safest new cars for 2019 was announced last month, with the A-Class going on to win the What Car? Safety Award ahead of the Audi Q3 and Volvo XC40. Thatcham has sponsored the award for several years, and its judging panel determined the ten finalists based on a number of criteria. Beyond the obvious five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP, the judges also considered: Euro NCAP crash test scores for both adult and child protection. Performance in stringent new autonomous emergency braking (AEB) tests aimed at protecting cyclists and pedestrians. Availability of automated driver assistance systems that help prevent collisions. sales volumes, to determine the real difference a car is likely to make to real-world road safety. Matthew Avery is director of research at Thatcham Research and a judge for the What Car? Safety Award. He said: “It’s clear that occupants of the latest cars are at a lower risk than ever. But not resting on our laurels, we raised the bar in safety testing for 2018. “This means the ten cars in this list are some of the safest ever made, anywhere in the world.” We look at the ten cars below, comparing our notes with Thatcham’s. We kick off with the winning Mercedes and the runners-up, then progress in alphabetical order. WINNER – Mercedes-Benz A-Class. We said: “The new Mercedes A-Class has set a benchmark for the next generation of premium hatchbacks, and one that may prove tough to crack for impending competitors. “For the image-conscious and tech-focused buyer, there may not be a better car on sale today.” Mercedes-Benz A-Class test driveMore Mercedes-Benz news, reviews, features and offers Thatcham said: “The Mercedes A-Class was the year’s top performer in the world’s most exacting safety tests. It’s exciting to see one of 2018’s best-selling cars meet that challenge and shows that carmakers can deliver state-of-the-art safety for the mass market. “It aced the AEB Cyclist test, scoring 100%, and achieved an impressive 97% for the system’s ability to detect pedestrians. This high-performance safety technology is available – at no extra cost – on a car with UK sales in the tens of thousands and rising.” Mercedes-Benz A-Class Euro NCAP rating 2nd PLACE – Audi Q3. We said: “The new Q3 falls into a heavily congested segment, one which its predecessor had nailed. This updated version, however, is likely to do just as well. Choose the punchier engines and you’ll find yourself in a car which is almost scarily well-rounded.” Audi Q3 test driveMore Audi news, reviews, features and offers Thatcham said: “The second highest overall Euro NCAP score (87%) in 2018, very good performance in crash testing and the highest score overall (85%) for crash avoidance technology. One of the year’s stand-out performers.” Audi Q3 Euro NCAP rating 3rd PLACE – Volvo XC40. We said: “The Volvo XC40 arrives late to the premium compact SUV market but will make its mark within it. “Combining all the major advances of its larger XC60 and XC90 sisters with a distinctive, younger-pitched style, it also scores on the quality of its technology and the efficiency of its powertrains. It is a worthy European Car of the Year.” Volvo XC40 reviewMore Volvo news, reviews, features and offers Thatcham said: “The XC40, Volvo’s offering in the burgeoning small SUV market, offers the highest Adult Occupant Protection score of any car tested last year. It’s ‘Pilot Assist’ system, combining Adaptive Cruise Control and Steering Support, is also very good.” Volvo XC40 Euro NCAP rating Audi A6. We said: “The Audi A6 has all the hallmarks of a new class leader in the executive saloon segment. It offers a solid and potent range of engines, bags of technology and a comfortable experience wrapped in a handsome body.” Audi A6 test driveMore Audi news, reviews, features and offers Thatcham said: “Audi has two models in the list, which is testament to the brand’s excellent track record in producing five-star Euro NCAP cars. The Audi A6 has many safety features, including a pop-up bonnet, to protect pedestrians and cyclists in the event of a collision.” Audi A6 Euro NCAP rating Ford Focus. We said: “The new Ford Focus is the complete deal, in its design, its quality, its technology and its performance. Ford appears to have taken the somewhat ‘meh’ impression of the previous version to heart – the new car ticks all the boxes and in style.” Ford Focus reviewFord Focus brings advanced driver assist technologies to the masses (at a price)More Ford news, reviews, features and offers Thatcham said: “The Ford Focus has always been a top seller, so the latest version with its standard-fit crash avoidance technology is making UK roads safer in volume. In testing, it’s AEB system performed just as well as some of the more expensive buys in the longlist too. “It is also fitted with a class-leading Driver Assistance System, to support steering and braking.” Ford Focus Euro NCAP rating Jaguar I-Pace. We said: “With genuine performance credentials and more range than most owners would ever need, the Jaguar I-Pace makes an extremely convincing case for EV driving.” Jaguar I-Pace test driveJaguar I-Pace: Secrets of the Pixel PansiesMore Jaguar news, reviews, features and offers Thatcham said: “One of two electric vehicles among our ten safest cars of the year, successfully allaying concerns around the safety performance of electric vehicles. Very high Adult Occupant Protection (94%) and crash avoidance technology (81%) scores too.” Jaguar I-Pace Euro NCAP rating Lexus ES. We said: “The Lexus ES is an alternative for those who want hybrid efficiency and strong quality, yet have residual values and low running costs strong in the back of their minds. “It helps the car itself is pretty good too — offering bags of luxury and tech in a comfortable package.” More Lexus news, reviews, features and offers Thatcham said: “A Best in Class Euro NCAP winner in the large family car segment, the Lexus ES is another top safety performer from a carmaker with a consistent approach to safety.” Lexus ES Euro NCAP rating Nissan Leaf. We said: “In the face of increased competition, Nissan has really stepped up to the plate with the new Leaf. On the face of it, it looks better, goes further and provides better value, but the improvements go further than that. “The ride is composed and there’s a real sense of refinement from a decent interior and lack of noise intrusion from outside. It steers well enough and the electric motor provides enjoyably punchy acceleration.” Nissan Leaf test driveMore Nissan news, reviews, features and offers Thatcham said: “The Nissan Leaf was the first car to go through Euro NCAP’s updated testing regime and has a cyclist detection and avoidance system to protect vulnerable road users. “Another electric vehicle in the top ten, offering further reassurance to anyone with concerns about electric battery compromise in crashes.” Nissan Leaf Euro NCAP rating Peugeot 508. We said: “The new Peugeot 508 surprises in many areas. Visually it is highly attractive and it offers quality in both construction and performance. It is a worthy consideration as an alternative to a premium-market car.” Peugeot 508 reviewMore Peugeot news, reviews, features and offers Thatcham said: “The second highest Adult Occupant Protection score (96%) of the year, and strong performance across all other judging categories. A very good Speed Assistance System too, along with optimal protection for child passengers in the rear.” Peugeot 508 Euro NCAP rating Volvo S60 and V60. We said: “Is the Volvo S60/V60 a worthy opponent to those premium German heavyweights? It very much is, because it does everything so well. “Add into that the quality and practicality of today’s Volvo interiors, the equipment that is supplied even on entry-level models, and of course a standard-fit safety package that rivals cannot match, and the Volvo S60/V60 has to be on anyone’s test-drive list.” Volvo V60 reviewVolvo S60 test driveMore Volvo news, reviews, features and offers Thatcham said: “Every car Volvo has produced has achieved the maximum Euro NCAP star rating, and every car has featured at the top end of the Safety Award longlist since it began in 2015. The Volvo V60 / S60 is of course no different, with an Adult Occupant Protection score of 96%.” Volvo V60 Euro NCAP rating This article was originally published when the shortlist was announced in early January 2019, and has been updated to reflect the results of the What Car? safety award.

The ten safest new cars for 2019

3rd PLACE – Volvo XC40

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