Two new Honda models fighting for title of 'Britain's Safest Car'
Honda's all new HR-V and Jazz are both fighting for the title of 'Britain's Safest Car' in an annual award judged by leading safety authority Thatcham Research.
Both of the Japanese carmaker's new models have made it to the final 14, after passing strict criteria, which included having been launched in 2015, on sale in the UK from 13th January 2016, achieve five Euro NCAP stars and featuring Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB).
A number of other stringent safety factors, including new safety innovations were taken into account in the judging by an independent panel of safety experts.
Matthew Avery, Director of Research at Thatcham Research commented: "Improved protection for drivers and passengers has helped lower the UK's road death toll significantly over the past 20 years. This year's long list of contenders shows that active safety systems like AEB, which are proven to reduce accident claims by 38 per cent, are increasingly being fitted as standard. Which is good news for consumers. And means it makes judging more difficult this year."
The top three cars will be announced at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards on Wednesday 13th January 2016.
Jim Holder, Editorial Director of What Car? added: "Safety is one of the key concerns for new car buyers, particularly if the vehicle in question is to be used as the main mode of family transport. What Car? believes it important that such a key consideration is reflected in our Car of the Year Awards. Not only does the Safety Award highlight the incredible, yet often unsung, work manufacturers do, it also allows us to both commend and encourage it."
by: Laura Thomson