Promoted: How the What Car? Safety Award was decided

The What Car? Safety Award, sponsored by Thatcham Research, is one of the ultimate tests of car safety. The criteria for the award go beyond even the Euro NCAP crash tests, rewarding manufacturers for pushing innovations in car safety systems.

The Toyota Prius claimed overall honours in this year’s contest. As well as setting the highest overall Euro NCAP score of any car tested in 2016, the Prius impressed the panel of judges with the level of safety systems it has fitted as standard. These included a class-leading reverse Autonomous Emergency Braking system that automatically stops the car if it detects an object behind the Prius when reversing.

The Peugeot 3008 and Volkswagen Tiguan were highly commended by the judging panel, with both being rewarded for offering a high level of standard safety equipment for buyers.

Thatcham Research’s Matthew Avery, one of the three safety experts on the judging panel, explained more about why the three winning cars stood out. To find out what he thought, just watch this video:

For more information on Thatcham Research, visit thatcham.org/car-safety