Safest cars tested by Euro NCAP revealed

By Matt De Prez

12 January 2018

Euro NCAP has outlined the safest cars it tested in 2017, from almost 70 models assessed in a record year for new model launches.

Volvo’s new XC60 reinforced the brand’s long-standing reputation for safety, with the best performance in the off-road category and the best performance overall in 2017. It scored a near-perfect 98% in the Adult Occupant category, and in its Large Off-Road class it showed a clear advantage in Safety Assist with a score of 95% – 20 percentage points higher than the nearest Large Off-Road competitor.

Volkswagen set the standard in three categories, with the Polo, T-Roc and Arteon while Vauxhall's new Crossland X was named safest small SUV. Subaru excelled in the test too, with the new XV and Impreza being named safest small family car.

Euro NCAP’s safest cars of 2017 (by category)

Executive: VW Arteon

Volkswagen Arteon

Large off-road: Volvo XC60

Small off-road: VW T-Roc

VW T-Roc

Supermini: VW Polo

All-new sixth generation Volkswagen Polo

Small MPV: Vauxhall Crossland X

2017 Vauxhall Crossland X

Small family car: Subaru XV/Impreza

2017 Subaru XV

Most of the models tested in 2017 were new to the market and most of these achieved the maximum five-star rating which, set against Euro NCAP’s increasingly tough assessment regime, reflects the ever-improving safety of modern vehicles.

Older, facelifted models fared less well, their ratings, generally poorer than those of newer cars, reflecting a lack of advanced restraint systems and driver-assistance technologies

Michiel van Ratingen, secretary general of Euro NCAP, said: “It is encouraging to see so many new cars performing so well in all areas of safety, and being equipped with greater and greater levels of life-saving technology.”