The new Seat Tarraco has achieved a 97% score for Adult Occupant Protection, in the latest round of safety tests conducted by Euro NCAP.

Only the Volvo XC60 has managed a better performance, with a 98% score awarded in 2017.

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and Volvo XC40 are the only other cars to achieve 97% in the crucial test.

Matthew Avery, Director of Research, Thatcham Research comments, “Last year we saw a couple of off-road vehicles with crash performance undermining their rugged looks. The three SUVs kicking off 2019’s Euro NCAP programme all performed very well in impact and collision avoidance tests. The Seat Tarraco’s 97 per cent score for Adult Occupant Protection is notable and will be the target for 2019, which looks like being a bumper year with many new models being tested.”

The two other SUVs tested this year were the Mercedes G-Class and Honda CR-V. They both achieved a five star rating.

The Honda CR-V achieved a 93% Adult Occupant score, and the Mercedes-Benz G-Class 90%.

Avery continues, “It’s also good to see the Mercedes-Benz G-Class achieve that tricky balance of keeping the charm of an old classic, while uplifting its safety performance. Drivers should expect nothing less than top level safety considering that the Mercedes A-Class was one of the very best tested last year.

“These vehicles are also setting a safety technology marker. All three have standard-fit Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) which operates effectively at different speeds and can detect pedestrians and cyclists. We’d expect all carmakers to fit AEB as standard on new models released in 2019, whatever the segment.

“This important safety technology that Euro NCAP has advocated since 2012 will now be standard fit in Europe following the recent announcement of the new European General Safety Regulations.”

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