Hyundai IONIQ 6 honored as safest family car in Europe

Hyundai Motor Co.'s  first fully electric sedan IONIQ 6 has been named the safest family car in Europe.

Hyundai Motor on Friday said the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) also selected the model as the best in the large family car category.

Euro NCAP said front and side impact tests found that passenger space in the IONIQ 6 remained safe and deemed body protection for adult and child occupants oustanding. The car's sturdy body, airbag system and a variety of advanced safety assistance functions also all combined to receive high marks.

Euro NCAP annually selects the best vehicles in each class with the highest combined scores in four criteria: adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, safety assist technologies and vulnerable user protection such as pedestrians and cyclists. The IONIQ 6 received a perfect five stars in all four categories.

The IONIQ 6 beat out for the award the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Skoda Octavia and Kia Corp. EV6, all three of which received a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP last year.

Previous Hyundai Motor winners of Euro NCAP's awards for Best In Class Cars in their respective categories include the large off-road Nexo in 2018, small family car IONIQ in 2016, small multi-purpose vehicle Carens in 2013, large off-road 4X4 Santa Fe in 2012 and small off-road Kia Sportage in 2010.

Write to Hyung-Kyu Kim at khk@hankyung.com