Safest cars on sale in 2016

With a range of safety equipment now available the competition for being one of the safest cars on the market is fierce.

Car safety experts, Euro NCAP, are tasked with finding the safest cars every year through undergoing a number of tests that evaluates the safety of nearly all new cars sold in Europe.

Several crash tests are carried out in order to review the safety as accurately as possible, with a star rating out of five awarded at the end.

Crash test dummies fitted with sensors allow researchers to understand the amount of force applied to various body parts in an impact, giving a picture of how the passengers could be effected in a similar accident.

Safety technology features fitted in most cars as standard, such as autonomous braking and lane-keeping assist, are now necessary in order to achieve a five-star rating from Euro NCAP.

The full Euro NCAP listings for the best cars on sale in 2016 are as follows:

• Supermini: Honda Jazz
• Family hatchback: Infiniti Q30
• Family saloon: Jaguar XE
• Small MPV/people carrier: Volkswagen Touran
• Large MPV/ people carrier: Ford Galaxy
• Roadster/convertible: Mazda MX-5
• Small SUV: Mercedes-Benz GLC
• Large SUV: Volvo XC90

The Volvo XC90 was named as the overall winner of the safest cars tested in 2015 by Euro NCAP.

Previous Euro NCAP safest cars were:

• 2014: Mercedes C-Class
• 2013: Jeep Cherokee
• 2012: Fiat 500L
• 2011: Chevrolet Aveo
• 2010: Alfa Romeo Giulietta

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