The 2022 safety testing results are in from Thatcham Research and it’s bad news for Tesla haters, as the latest model Y scores a record breaking 98% on driver assistance technology. The Tesla also scored 97% on occupant protection. But for those poorer people who can’t afford a Tesla, there is good news on more affordable models that can be leased for under £400pcm. Here’s the word from Thatcham;
Global carmakers are paying greater attention to safety than ever before. This is the view of Thatcham Research as it reveals its list of the safest new cars launched during 2022. All the cars tested during the past 12 months scored at least a four-star rating for the first time in the programme’s history. Even more encouragingly, 80% received the highest five-star accolade.
Cars that feature on the 10 safest list are selected by judges based on Euro NCAP test scores, in addition to other core criteria such as mass-market appeal, safety technology innovation and the performance of the car’s Assisted Driving (AD) technology.
Record breakers
The 10-car shortlist represents the nominations for the coveted What Car? Safety Award 2023. All are five-star performers and feature vital safety equipment that will help to ensure the safety of motorists and vulnerable road users in this new era of Assisted Driving technology.
For example, despite being considered a niche innovation just a couple of years ago, airbags to help prevent life-threatening interaction between occupants during a side impact are present on every vehicle in the 10 safest list. Partition airbags of this type are now a key safety measure, reducing head-to-head brain injury by compartmentalising occupants. This provides reassurance for drivers with children seated in the back and are also now a standard feature of new entry-level vehicles typically driven by young motorists transporting friends.
Judges also noted a similarly encouraging trend with Driver Monitoring System (DMS) technology that Thatcham Research believes is fundamental to the safe and successful deployment of Automated tech in the future.
Tomorrow’s technology
As automotive technology and motoring continues to evolve towards a cleaner future, Thatcham Research has welcomed the fact that nine of the nominees are full Electric or Hybrid Vehicles. “Although many households might feel that EVs are beyond their budget, it’s good to see there are more accessible options for buyers that also deliver high-end safety features as standard, and their mass-market appeal will have a big influence on motoring safety,” Avery explained.
The only pure petrol model to make the Thatcham 2022 top ten was the BMW X1 series, which still costs from £33,775, even though it is assembled in China.
Thatcham’s Top Rated 2022 Models
Other cars which scored high marks in 2022 included the Mazda CX60, Lexus NX, Mercedes EQE, Nissan Ariya and the Toyota BZ4X.
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