What Car? Safety Award 2022
Winner: Nissan Qashqai
After scoring more than 90% in three of Euro NCAP’s four testing categories, the Nissan Qashqai is one of our most impressive winners of the What Car? Safety Award to date.
Judges were swayed by the British-built Qashqai’s range of passive and active safety features, and the implementation of reverse AEB and centre side airbags – two newer innovations that are beginning to make a real difference to passenger and pedestrian safety on our roads.
Although the latest Qashqai isn’t available as a full EV yet, its popularity on the roads, high performance safety features and affordability, enabled it to show a clean pair of heels to the other contenders on the Safety Award shortlist – three of which were full EVs and the other a hybrid.
“There are two important stories around this year’s winner for me. The first is the mass-market appeal of the Qashqai. We are looking for vehicles that can bring the greatest safety benefits to the greatest number of road users in the UK. It’s pleasing to see the safest car in 2022 is also one many people already have on their driveways,” Matthew Avery, Thatcham Research’s Chief Research Strategy Officer, says.
“The other is the tone it sets. The Qashqai is an affordable model which doesn’t compromise on safety features. Nissan has maintained standards across its range and stuck to its safety principles. The car sector is a hyper-competitive environment, so others will look on with interest.”