Vehicles tested included the Volvo XC90 and Audi Q7, which both gained five-star ratings but Euro NCAP added that it was the XC90 that made the biggest impression by earning full marks in the crash avoidance and driver assistance tests.

Meanwhile the VW Touran and Ford’s Galaxy and S-MAX MPVs also scored five stars along with the Renault Kadjar and the new Toyota Avensis.

Finally, the Mazda CX-3 and Mitsubishi L200 scored four stars apiece, with Euro NCAP highlighted that whilst good occupant protection still is the back bone of a top rating in Euro NCAP, the availability and performance of avoidance and driver support systems, that will ultimately pave the way for highly automated vehicles, is becoming increasingly important. It added that whilst both vehicles offer good overall safety they have been rated four star as the L200 is not fitted with an autonomous emergency braking system, while the Mazda CX-3 offers AEB as an option but with an expected low uptake.