Euro NCAP has announced the top performing vehicles of 2017.

Volkswagen emerges with winners in three categories – the Polo in the supermini class, T Roc in the small off-road category and the Arteon in the executive class. Volvo reinforces its reputation for safety with the year’s best overall performer, the large off-road XC60.

Most of the models tested in 2017 were new to the market and most achieved the maximum five-star rating. Older, facelifted models fared less well, with ratings generally poorer than new cars.

“Congratulations to Volkswagen! To win best-in-class in three different categories is a great achievement and underlines the company’s commitment to providing the highest levels of safety to its customers,” said Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General of Euro NCAP. “Subaru and Opel are also offering class-leading products while Volvo continues to underline its reputation for safety. More broadly, though, 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.”