The eight vehicles all gained five-star ratings and performed highly in each of the four individual marking criteria: adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, pedestrian protection and safety assist systems.

The best in class vehicles are:

Supermini – Renault Clio

Small Family – Volvo V40

Large family – BMW 3 Series

Small MPV – Fiat 500L and Ford B-MAX

Small Off-Road 4×4 – Ford Kuga

Large Off-Road 4×4 – Hyundai Santa Fe

Business and Family Vans – Ford Transit

The runners-up of 2012 are the Ford Fiesta in the Supermini category; the Opel Mokka in the Small Family category; the Volvo V60 Plug-In Hybrid in the Large Family category; the Subaru Forester in the Small Off-Road 4×4 category, and the Range Rover in the Large Off-Road 4×4.

For the category of Business and Family Vans – included for the first time, runners-up were the Fiat Scudo and its twins, the Citroen Jumpy and Peugeot Expert, all of which received three stars.

Euro NCAP says its 2013 star rating will further challenge carmakers by covering the inclusion of Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) systems.

The move is being made to promote wider fitment of the technology in Europe, which is currently only offered by a limited number of carmakers according to Euro NCAP.

Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP secretary general, said: ‘Euro NCAP is recognising the efforts of some manufacturers already offering a higher level of occupant protection in their cars, but today safety means more than protecting occupants in a crash. Through the expansion of our tests and the assessment of important active safety systems, our aim is to inform and allow all road users to benefit from safe cars with advanced systems in the most affordable way, and to contribute in reducing the number of road accidents.’