Euro NCAP, the European car safety organisation has published its top three safest cars following a year of improved testing.

The so-called ‘best in class’ looks at cars in three categories; small family, large family and large off-road vehicles. These are the vehicles which have the safest body styles according to Euro NCAP’s stringent rating system. Last month is was revealed that the Fiat Panda had a shocking zero star rating, but at the other end of the scale are the Mercedes A-Class (small family), Lexus ES (large family) and Hyundai Nexo (large off-road), which with a hydrogen fuel cell should be expected to take extra safety precautions considering its load.

“In 2018 we introduced tough new tests, with a particular focus on Vulnerable Road User protection,” said Euro NCAP Secretary General Michiel van Ratingen.

“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 our 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.

“We will follow and assess these developments closely and ensure that consumers have all the information they need when considering these new driver technologies.”

Euro NCAP ratings are the industry standard guideline on the potential safety of a car, and sees all vehicles put through a series of crash tests to determine their ‘star ratings’.

Only three vehicles, including the Panda scored three stars or less this year.

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