Nissan’s Qashqai has been voted the UK's safest car in 2022. That’s the conclusion that independent testing organisation Thatcham Research has drawn after completing its judging for the What Car? Safety Award.
As a family SUV, the Qashqai was an outstanding performer during Euro NCAP’s most exacting safety assessments in 2021, a year in which 20 cars achieved the coveted five-star rating that manufacturers strive to secure.
Built in the UK, the Qashqai scored more than 90% in three out of four safety categories and its Safety Assist score is one of the highest ever recorded at 95%.
Experts were impressed by the Qashqai’s range of passive and active safety features, and the fitment of reverse AEB and centre side airbags – two newer innovations that are beginning to make a real difference to passenger and pedestrian safety.
Yet according to Matthew Avery, Thatcham Research’s Chief Research Strategy Officer, the most encouraging aspect is the popular Qashqai’s potential to bring high-end safety features to the mass-market without breaking the bank.
“The Qashqai is an affordable, family-focused SUV that is already popular with motoring consumers,” he said.
Avery also believes Nissan is sending a positive message to other carmakers. “It is pleasing to see a manufacturer offering great safety features at a sensible price point. It shows that high-end safety needn’t be exclusive to high-end models, and that it’s possible to produce a lower-cost car without deselecting safety features.
“The car sector is hyper-competitive and other carmarkers will certainly be looking on with interest,” he said.
Runner-up in the Safety category for the What Car? Car of the Year Awards 2022 is the all-electric Polestar 2, closely followed by the Skoda Enyaq in third place.