The Skoda Kodiaq and Mini Countryman have been awarded five-star safety ratings following Euro NCAP’s latest batch of crash tests.

Nissan’s new Micra picked up four stars with standard equipment but joined the five-star club when the optional safety pack was added.

Similarly, Suzuki’s Swift supermini was rated three stars as standard and four stars with optional safety equipment.

The inclusion of autonomous emergency braking (AEB) systems on new models are having a big say on Euro NCAP’s safety ratings.

Skoda’s first ever SUV comes fitted as standard with an AEB system that slams on the brakes when it anticipates a collision with pedestrians or other vehicles.

Mini’s second-gen Countryman features a car-to-car AEB system as standard, with pedestrian detection offered as a cost extra.

The Micra was awarded all five stars when it was tested with AEB pedestrian and lane assistance, features that are unlocked by adding the optional safety pack.

Euro NCAP secretary general Michiel van Ratingen was glad to see that car manufacturers were adopting the technology in their droves.

He commented: “[We] started rewarding AEB pedestrian systems in 2016 and we have seen a rapid uptake of the technology.

“We hope to see as fast an adoption of AEB systems that detect cyclists when tests of those systems form part of the rating next year.  

“For twenty years, Euro NCAP has been pushing manufacturers to fit new and better safety technologies: originally, such things as airbags and pre-tensioners and, nowadays, advanced driver assistance systems that will form the building blocks for the automated vehicles of tomorrow.”

Ben Robb, brand manager at The Fuelcard People, adds: “Many factors go into a car winning a top safety rating, but it seems any new model should include an emergency self-braking system as standard if it has any hope of securing all five stars.”