Electric cars dominate 'best in class' safety list

Independent safety body Euro NCAP has published a new list of the safest cars you can buy, following a review of all vehicles it crash-tested in 2022.

The new Best in Class awards go beyond the usual star rating, delving deeper into each car's assessment for adult occupant, child occupant and pedestrian protection, and Safety Assist technology fitted.

The result, according to Euro NCAP, is a list of the safest cars that went on sale in 2022.

There’s one caveat in that some classes were not represented as the safety body tested too few cars in that particular class.

Surprisingly, the new-to-market GWM Ora Funky Cat takes top honours in the small family car category, with the battery-electric hatch awarded 92 per cent for adult occupant, 83 per cent of child occupant, 74 per cent for pedestrian impact and 93 per cent for its driver assist tech.

If you're looking for a small SUV, meanwhile, the Tesla Model Y was awarded 97 per cent for adult protection, 87 per cent for child occupant, 82 per cent for pedestrian impact and 98 per cent for driver aids.

If you need more space, leading Euro NCAP's large off-road category is another unfamiliar name – the Wey Coffee 01 that scored 91 per cent (adult occupant), 87 per cent (child occupant), 79 per cent (pedestrian impact) and 94 per cent (safety systems.)

The Hyundai IONIQ 6, meanwhile, was ranked the safest family car with a 97 per cent score for adult protection, 87 per cent for child occupant, 66 per cent for pedestrian impact and 90 per cent for its driver assist aids.

Finally, the ageing Tesla Model S managed the top spot in the executive car class (94 per cent adult, 91 per cent occupant, 85 per cent pedestrian and 98 per cent for driver aids) and was judged the safest pure-electric car outright.

Euro NCAP hopes its new Best in Class awards will help consumers purchase cars that will offer them and their families the maximum protection whatever their budget.