Overall safety ratings for the latest 12 vehicles tested ranged from three to five stars, with a broad variety of vehicle types covered.

Porsche made its debut in the Euro NCAP tests with the new Macan. The Macan scored well and achieved the five star rating despite missing out on standard fit AEB, a feature which is becoming commonplace in many luxury models these days.

The Macan joined three other SUVs tested – the Land Rover Discovery Sport, Lexus NX and Kia Sorento – all of which scored the top five stars.

Euro NCAP added that with the Discovery Sport coming with AEB as standard equipment and the Lexus NX and the Kia Sorento both featuring it as an option, the vehicles show that crash protection and crash avoidance go hand in hand these days.

In the Large Family class, vehicles tested comprised the new VW Passat and Subaru Outback, which offered all-round crash protection and achieved the maximum five star rating, along with the new Ford Mondeo, which also offers a pedestrian-detecting Autonomous Emergency Braking System as an option.

In the Supermini category, the smart fortwo, smart forfour, MINI Cooper and Opel/Vauxhall Corsa have all been awarded a four-star rating. 

Opel/Vauxhall received a Euro NCAP advanced reward for its Side Blind Spot Alert, an advanced driver assistance technology which helps driver avoid highway accidents. The SBSA system warns the driver if a vehicle enters a blind spot and is available on various models including the Corsa.

Finally, the Dacia Logan scored three stars. Euro NCAP added its view that it was a result that ‘reflects the brand’s aspirations when it comes to safety and driver assistance systems in particular’.