The new Seat Ibiza has been awarded a full five-star crash safety performance by Euro NCAP, with UK technical partner Thatcham Research claiming the new supermini has "set a new benchmark in safety for the supermini price point category". Seat's inclusion of both autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and pedestrian-detecting AEB was applauded by the safety organisation.
After usurping the sector's previous safety star, the Honda Jazz, Thatcham director Matthew Avery says the Seat's performance could herald a new safety drive for the supermini sector, Britain's most popular type of new car. "The new VW Polo will be built on the same platform as the Ibiza which bodes well, and with major new supermini launches expected later in 2017 the safety game is now on for carmakers in this sector."
The performance of the Seat Ibiza contrasts with that of the Ford Mustang, which only scored three stars. Even this is an improvement on its performance earlier in 2017 though, where a lack of active safety technology plus a fault with underinflating airbags saw the Ford sports car awarded a meagre two-star Euro NCAP score – the worst performance of any car since 2008.
The improvements of the resubmitted Ford Mustang show the power of Euro NCAP, believes Thatcham. "In just a few months, Ford has responded to improve on the initial low safety rating given to the Mustang," said Avery. "A three star Euro NCAP rating is never a cause for celebration. However, Ford's rapid addition of a suite of standard-fit safety tech and its prompt updates to improve the performance of the airbags and restraints is to be applauded."
Other five-star new cars tested by Euro NCAP this month include the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, Hyundai i30 and Volkswagen Arteon. The latest Honda Civic missed out on a five-star score though, with an underperforming rear curtain airbag knocking it back to four stars.
Source: Euro NCAP, Thatcham Research
Gallery: June 2017 Euro NCAP latest
