Mazda’s new small SUV, the CX-30, has registered the highest Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) result ever seen in Euro NCAP testing. The tests assess the protection offered to driver and front-seat passenger in the event of a crash and the Mazda came out with an unprecedented score of 99%.

Matthew Avery, director of insurance research, at Thatcham Research commented, “This is a truly impressive result. The Mazda CX-30 is a mainstream vehicle, available at an affordable price point performing at the highest level in impact testing. In the event of an accident, there are few safer places to be than the front seats of the Mazda CX-30.” He added, “The structure of the vehicle and the performance of its restraints are key. Especially in the side pole test which encourages carmakers to fit side-curtain airbags to protect occupants’ heads in a collision.”

In other tests the new Opel Corsa achieved a four-star Euro NCAP rating, with an 84% result for AOP and 69% in Safety Assist. Meanwhile the latest Mercedes-Benz GLB model achieved another five-star rating for the German carmaker, which has seen all new models get the top NCAP ratings since 2104.  The new Ford Explorer also achieved five-stars.