The Volvo XC40 and Ford Focus are the latest two cars to be awarded a full five star safety rating from Euro NCAP.
The XC40 deserves particular praise for receiving one of the highest scores for adult occupancy protection in the past three years. It achieved a 97 per cent score in this area.
While the new Ford Focus did not quite attain such a high score, it was praised particularly for its standard-fit safety assists, although still scored well on adult occupancy protection – receiving an 85 per cent rating.
Euro NCAP has recently toughened up its tests to help simulate more real-world scenarios, with these two vehicles being some of the first to go through this new test. It features a ‘full overlap’ test, which demonstrates the front of a car hitting the rear of another, as well as ‘offset’ scenarios to help assess the scope of autonomous emergency braking (AEB) systems – including the tech’s ability to detect cyclists, too.
The recent rating continues Volvo’s long-standing commitment to safety, with the XC40 following in the footsteps of the XC60 and XC90 SUVs which both scored exceptionally well during tests.
Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General of Euro NCAP, said: “It’s good to see that manufacturers, both in the premium sector and the volume market, are responding to our tough new requirements introduced in 2018 by fitting technologies that will save lives.
“Technologies like AEB deliver immediate safety benefits but they are also enabling technologies for the autonomous vehicles of the future. Euro NCAP’s roadmap sets a series of demanding tests for each of these ‘milestone’ technologies seeking to ensure that their performance saves lives today as well as tomorrow.”
The Volvo XC40 is priced from £27,610, with the new Ford Focus starting from £17,930. Both vehicles are on sale now.
