Photo: Euro NCAP
Safety is usually a top priority for people buying a new car. But it's not always easy to find out which is the best option. That's why Euro NCAP has named its top picks for each class based on the crash tests it carried out in 2016.
Not surprisingly, the "dual rating" system has catapulted vehicles with pedestrian detection to the forefront. And it's usually the most high-tech models that are getting top scores. For example, the all-new Toyota Prius was declared the safest car in the large family car segment.
What does that mean? Only that Euro NCAP thinks the Prius is better than a Renault Talisman, Skoda Superb or Audi A4. The only other car tested in this class for 2016 was the Alfa Romeo Giulia, which got 6% better score for adult occupant protection but didn't do as well in the safety assist department.
Next, we have the small family car segment, where the Hyundai Ioniq got the prize. It was tied with the Kia Niro in every category, but only once the latter was equipped with the optional safety pack. This segment was filled with ill-performing models from SsangYong and Fiat. But it's fair to say that the Ioniq is safer than any other compact tested in 2014 or 2016. So good job Hyundai!
Finally, an award was given to the Volkswagen Tiguan in the small off-road category. The German SUV scored an impressive 96 percent and 84 percent in the Adult Occupant and Child Occupant categories, respectively. It didn't have that much competition, so its relatively modest 68% Safety Assist score was good enough.
To define the Best in Class, a Euro NCAP calculates the weighted sum of the scores in each of the four areas of assessment: Adult Occupant, Child Occupant, Pedestrian and Safety Assist. This sum is used as the basis for comparison of the vehicles. Cars qualify for ‘Best in Class’ based only on their rating with standard safety equipment. Additional ratings based on optional equipment are excluded. It's worth noting that only 16 cars were crash-tested this year, with about half receiving sub-par scores. It's also why no MPVs or small cars were scored.
What does that mean? Only that Euro NCAP thinks the Prius is better than a Renault Talisman, Skoda Superb or Audi A4. The only other car tested in this class for 2016 was the Alfa Romeo Giulia, which got 6% better score for adult occupant protection but didn't do as well in the safety assist department.
Next, we have the small family car segment, where the Hyundai Ioniq got the prize. It was tied with the Kia Niro in every category, but only once the latter was equipped with the optional safety pack. This segment was filled with ill-performing models from SsangYong and Fiat. But it's fair to say that the Ioniq is safer than any other compact tested in 2014 or 2016. So good job Hyundai!
Finally, an award was given to the Volkswagen Tiguan in the small off-road category. The German SUV scored an impressive 96 percent and 84 percent in the Adult Occupant and Child Occupant categories, respectively. It didn't have that much competition, so its relatively modest 68% Safety Assist score was good enough.
To define the Best in Class, a Euro NCAP calculates the weighted sum of the scores in each of the four areas of assessment: Adult Occupant, Child Occupant, Pedestrian and Safety Assist. This sum is used as the basis for comparison of the vehicles. Cars qualify for ‘Best in Class’ based only on their rating with standard safety equipment. Additional ratings based on optional equipment are excluded. It's worth noting that only 16 cars were crash-tested this year, with about half receiving sub-par scores. It's also why no MPVs or small cars were scored.
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