The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) has revealed the ‘Best in Class cars of 2015’ out of over 40 vehicles released during the year. This year, the best in class cars include Volvo XC90, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Jaguar XE, Infiniti Q30, Honda Jazz, Ford Galaxy, VW Touran and Mazda MX-5.

Each year, Euro NCAP publishes a list of those cars that have performed best in their respective categories. Star ratings cannot be compared directly between different categories of vehicles, so a ‘Best in Class’ is published showing which vehicles have performed better than their competitors. As the requirements for each star rating become tougher each year, the ‘Best in Class’ comparison is made only within each calendar year so that all vehicles are assessed against the same standards.

In 2015, the new full width frontal test has, as was hoped, had a significant influence on the fitment of rear seatbelt pre-tensioners and load-limiters across all sectors and autonomous braking technology continues to become more widespread. The ratings showed a marked difference between newer cars that have been developed for the latest safety technologies and older vehicles, whose safety has not been updated and which now lag behind the leaders.

The best performing large off-roader, and the car with the best overall performance of 2015, was Volvo’s XC90. The Swedish company’s new flagship achieved a 97 percent for adult occupant protection and a maximum 100 percent for its safety assist technologies.          

The Mercedes-Benz GLC is the best small off-roader of 2015. In the large family category, two cars performed equally well: the Jaguar XE and the Toyota Avensis gave identical overall results. The Jaguar takes top honours in this category as all of its safety equipment is standard. The Toyota has some driver assistance technologies as an option, however comes at a generally lower price.

The best performing small family car was the Infiniti Q30, with strong performance in all areas of assessment. The Q30’s active bonnet helped it to gain results for pedestrian protection which were amongst the best of 2015, and it performed well in all other areas too.

In 2015, two superminis gave the same overall safety performance. The Honda Jazz and the Suzuki Vitara were neck and neck overall, one car edging the other in one or other part of the assessment.  However, the Jazz is Euro NCAP’s best in class, based on Honda’s fitment strategy for advanced safety systems.

The VW Touran was the best performing small MPV; the Ford Galaxy/S-MAX just beat the Renault Espace for top place in the large MPV category. Last year, Euro NCAP had paid special attention to the roadsters, a category of relatively expensive cars but for which the importance of safety is often downplayed by vehicle manufacturers. None of the tested roadsters could achieve 5 stars, lacking new avoidance technology in particular. Nevertheless, with 4 stars, the Mazda MX-5 is the best in its category.

Cars from Germany, Sweden, Japan and the UK are amongst the class leaders of 2015. In 2016, some cars, most cars in the premium sectors, already have the AEB Pedestrian technology and should be well placed to lead the safety of tomorrow’s car fleet.