Last week, Euro NCAP released its latest round of crash-test results after a dozen vehicles were put to the test.

The Tesla Model X, Porsche Taycan, Audi Q7, Renault Captur, Subaru Forester, Skoda Octavia, Ford Mondeo and Ford Kuga all achieve the coveted five-star rating.

The all-new Peugeot 2008 was tested both with the optional safety pack and with standard safety equipment achieving five and four stars, respectively. The updated Volkswagen Sharan and twin sister SEAT Alhambra get a creditable four stars, while the facelifted Jeep Renegade claims only three.

The stand-out performer of this round is undoubtedly Tesla’s Model X, scoring 94% for Safety Assist, the same percentage as its smaller Model 3 sibling scored earlier this year. This makes the two Teslas the best performers in this part of the assessment against Euro NCAP’s most recent protocols.  The recently-updated Model X also achieved an impressive 98% for adult occupant protection, making it strong contender for Best in Class this year.

 Another eye-catcher of this round is the Taycan, Porsche’s first battery electric vehicle (BEV), set to rival to the Tesla Model S and Jaguar I-PACE in the BEV saloon segment. While the Taycan is all about high-performance electric driving and primarily targets the premium end of the consumer market, it is reassuring that the car achieved the full five stars in safety testing.

The Skoda Octavia, Renault Captur, the Ford Kuga and Audi Q7 all performed well in different size categories. The all-new Peugeot 2008 shares the same platform with other models of the PSA Group, such as the second generation DS 3 Crossback and the Vauxhall Corsa.

Like the DS 3, the Peugeot 2008 offers an optional ‘Safety Plus’ pack on all variants, that adds a radar sensor alongside the standard camera and gives the car enhanced AEB capabilities. Subaru’s new Forester also performed well all-round, showing off its family car credentials by scoring particularly well in child occupant protection. The Forester completes an all five-star model line-up for the Japanese manufacturer.

The Volkswagen Sharan and its SEAT twin, the Alhambra, have been around for several years, but the VW Group has done a fine job in keeping them up-to-date in terms of safety, with the addition of autonomous emergency braking and rear seatbelt load-limiters. The outcome is a still-competitive four-star rating, and the cars are amongst the few to offer i-Size compatibility in all rear seats and integrated child restraints as an option in the second row. This continues to make them ideal transport for a growing family.

The venerable Ford Mondeo has also been updated with AEB, and rear pre-tensioners and load-limiters, and offers safety to rival many newer vehicles.

However, on the recently facelifted Jeep Renegade, AEB is not standard and oddly remains on the options list. As a result, it becomes the only car so far this year to achieve a rating of less than four stars.

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Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP’s Secretary General:

“Well done to Tesla and the other 5 stars performers for not only bringing best in class performance in testing but also making safety systems accessible and standard across the European market. It is also good to see manufacturers – Ford and Volkswagen in this case – standardising AEB and keeping safety up-to-date even for older cars, to the benefit of their customers.

It’s a pity that not everyone follows this example and, by prioritising looks over substance, Jeep ended up at the bottom of the list of this year’s rated cars. Fortunately, consumers face a greater choice than ever to find a safer alternative.”