In a competitive round of testing which saw Euro NCAP 5 star ratings awarded to all nine vehicles released, Volvo is still setting the standard in car safety.
The new Volvo XC60 has “aced” the exacting test protocols said Matthew Avery director of research at Thatcham Research, “It’s exceedingly rare for a vehicle to score so favourably across the board. The adult occupant protection result for the Volvo XC60 is one of the best on record. But it’s in active safety that Volvo is really maintaining its lead. The XC60’s standard-fit safety technologies are excellent – or rather those that we were able to test, as its Turn Across Path and Run off Road systems are not yet a feature of the Euro NCAP programme. That’s how high the Volvo XC60 is above the bar set by Euro NCAP.”
The Volvo XC60’s Safety Assist score (95%), is 40% above the average for cars tested this year, with the Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) system scoring maximum points when tested at highway speeds, as well as successfully avoiding collisions at all test speeds and in all scenarios.
The new VW Polo was also tested in October, offering a late challenge to the SEAT Ibiza, Thatcham Research’s supermini safety choice of 2017 so far.
Avery comments, “It’s great to see the VW Polo, a likely top seller not only performing so well in impact testing, but also coming off the forecourt with standard-fit AEB and Lane Assist systems.”
The remaining vehicles tested in October were all SUVs, continuing the trend for strong safety performers in the category. The Citroën C3 Aircross, Opel / Vauxhhall Crossland X, VW T-Roc, Skoda Karoq and Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross all achieved Euro NCAP 5 star ratings. However, the Citroën C3 Aircross and Opel / Vauxhall Crossland do not come with standard-fit AEB systems.
The SEAT Arona, which is structurally almost identical to the SEAT Ibiza rated earlier in 2017 by Euro NCAP and has the same fitment of safety equipment, was also awarded the maximum Euro NCAP 5 star rating.
Thatcham Research is the independent voice of automotive safety & repair, advising motorists, insurers and vehicle manufacturers to help reduce accident frequency, severity and costs and to realise the vision of ‘Safer cars, fewer crashes’.
As well as its world leading crash and track research, Thatcham Research tests and accredits crash repair parts, vehicle repair technicians, and a number of other products and services within the collision repair industry for insurers, motor manufacturers, equipment manufacturers and suppliers.
A founder member of the international Research Council for Automobile Repairs (RCAR), Thatcham Research has also been a member of the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) since 2004.
