EuroNCAP has revealed the Best in Class cars of 2015 out of over 40 vehicles released during a very busy year.

In 2015, the new full width frontal test 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 97 percent for adult occupant protection and a maximum 100 percent for its safety assist technologies.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC was the best small off-roader of 2015. In the large family category, two cars performed equally well: the Jaguar XE and the Toyota Avensis. The Jaguar came top as all of its safety equipment is standard.

The best performing small family car was the Infiniti Q30, with strong performance in all areas. The Q30’s active bonnet helped it gain results for pedestrian protection which were amongst the best of 2015. In 2015, two superminis gave the same overall safety performance, the Honda Jazz and the Suzuki Vitara. However, the Jazz was named 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.

Finally, Euro NCAP also paid 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 was the best in its category.

2016 brings new challenges as Euro NCAP introduces an assessment of AEB Pedestrian systems. Some cars, mostly in the premium sectors, already have this technology and should be well placed to lead the ever-improving safety of tomorrow’s car fleet.

Detailed results and crash test pictures of all the Best in Class cars are published on the EuroNCAP website.