There are many factors to consider when shopping for a new SUV, but when you consider the important load that these family wagons are shuttling around, then safety is obviously a massive part of the decision-making process.

When it comes to the Euro NCAP crash test, a maximum five-star rating might capture the headlines, but there is actually much more to it than that. The safety experts at Euro NCAP test a whole range of different aspects of what you might face should the worst happen and you're involved in a crash.

We've broken down the full scores in each category and found the six safest SUVs on sale as rated by Euro NCAP, arranging them according to  different needs – the results may surprise you. Click 'next' on the photograph above to check out the results.

Check out the links below to see a bit more inside information on how the Euro NCAP is performed and what the results mean for you and your family. 

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