This year's tests are the first in the organisation's history to include a second rating to assess active safety technology, such as autonomous emergency braking and pedestrian detection systems. And each of the 18 new cars tested this year were rated in terms of both standard and optional safety equipment.
"Some technologies are expensive and we recognised that it may not be possible for manufacturers to include them as standard equipment across the range and, at the same time, keep basic variants affordable for the target market," said Euro NCAP's secretary-general, Michiel van Ratingen.
This is particularly true in very competitive segments such as superminis and small hatchbacks where cost is the biggest deciding factor for potential owners.
However, by publishing results that demonstrate the difference that checking one or two options boxes can make, NCAP's new approach could lead to a much faster uptake of active safety systems, despite the premiums involved.
"The dual rating scheme lets [car companies] phase in sales more gradually, keeping cars affordable but, at the same time, giving consumers the chance to take advantage of these important safety technologies. We're pleased to see such a broad uptake of pedestrian-detecting AEB systems in 2016, as standard or as an option," said van Ratingen.
As for star cars, the NCAP best in class small SUV of 2016 is the Volkswagen Tiguan. The Toyota Prius is the safest large family car and the Hyundai Ioniq is this year's best in class small family car.
Unfortunately, there is no winner in the executive car category for 2016. The new Mercedes-Benz E Class performed extremely well in all NCAP tests, including for child occupant protection. However, it was the only executive car to undergo testing this year and therefore cannot be considered "best-in-class."
