What's all this about?

The latest Euro NCAP vehicle safety ratings have been released; nine new models were tested with seven receiving the full five stars. This month the Audi Q7, Ford Galaxy and S-Max, Mazda CX-3, Mitsubishi L200, Renault Kadjar and Volvo XC90 were tested. A key part of getting a top score is the fitment of autonomous emergency brake (AEB); neither the Mazda nor Mitsubishi feature standard AEB and both received a four-star rating.

Which car had the highest rating?

Euro NCAP singled out the Volvo XC90 for praise; awarding 100% for the safety assistance systems. The fitment of AEB as standard, the operation of the speed limiter and the lane assistance system all contributed to the high rating. An Adult Occupant protection rating of 97% was also the highest of the group with strong scores for Child Occupant and Pedestrian Safety.

The highest score for Child Occupant protection went to the Volkswagen Touran at 89% with strong scores for the Audi Q7 (88%) and both Fords, which were identically rated at 87%. Pedestrians are best protected by the Mazda, which was rated 84% and the only vehicle to be rated more than 80%.

Although the comments recognise that the Galaxy and S-Max are fitted with AEB systems to detect pedestrians this functionality will not be incorporated into the Euro NCAP testing procedures until 2016. As a result the scores awarded to the Fords do not take the pedestrian detection into account.