The winners are:

Large off-road – Volvo XC90

The best performing large off-roader, and the car with the best overall performance of 2015, was Volvo’s XC90. The model achieved an outstanding 97% for adult occupant protection and a maximum 100% for its safety assist technologies.

Small off-road – Mercedes-Benz GLC

The GLC scored 95% for adult occupant protection and 89% for child occupant.

Large family car – Jaguar XE

In the large family category, two cars performed equally well: the Jaguar XE and the Toyota Avensis gave identical overall results. The Jaguar takes top honours in this category as all of its safety equipment is standard. The Toyota has some driver assistance technologies as an option, however comes at a generally lower price.

Small family car – Infiniti Q30

Euro NCAP said the Q30 put in a strong performance in all areas of assessment. The Q30’s active bonnet helped it to gain results for pedestrian protection which were amongst the best of 2015, and it performed well in all other areas too.

Supermini – Honda Jazz

In 2015, two superminis gave the same overall safety performance. The Honda Jazz and the Suzuki Vitara were neck and neck overall, one car edging the other in one or other part of the assessment.  However, the Jazz is Euro NCAP’s Best in Class, based on Honda’s fitment strategy for advanced safety systems.

Large MPV – Ford Galaxy

The Ford Galaxy/S-MAX just beat the Renault Espace for top place in the large MPV category. 

Small MPV – VW Touran

The Touran scored 88% for adult occupant protection and 89% for child occupant safety.

Roadster Sport – Mazda MX-5

Euro NCAP commented this is a category of relatively expensive cars but for which the importance of safety is often downplayed by vehicle manufacturers. None of the tested roadsters could achieve five stars, lacking new avoidance technology in particular. Nevertheless, with four stars, the Mazda MX-5 is the best in its category. 

Euro NCAP added that in 2015, the new full width frontal test has, as was hoped, had a significant influence on the fitment of rear seatbelt pre-tensioners and load-limiters across all sectors and autonomous braking technology continues to become more widespread. The ratings showed a marked difference between newer cars that have been developed for the latest safety technologies and older vehicles, whose safety has not been updated and which now lag behind the leaders.

Looking ahead, the organisation said 2016 brings new challenges as it introduces an assessment of AEB Pedestrian systems. Some cars, mostly in the premium sectors, already have this technology and should be well placed to lead the ever-improving safety of tomorrow’s car fleet.