Euro NCAP 2015: latest crash tests on Mazda MX-5, Hyundai Tucson and Vauxhall Viva

Euro NCAP has published its latest batch of crash test rating results for new cars. It sees the Hyundai Tucson SUV, the Vauxhall Viva city car and the new Mazda MX-5 all receive their full safety sign-off.

The Hyundai Tucson joined a select group of only nine new cars tested this year with a maximum five-star rating. Judges awarded it strong scores across the board, with the newly formed safety assist rating stronger than a number of competitors.

Vauxhall’s all-new Viva city car missed out on the top rating with four stars, but performed well across all four categories scoring around the 70th percentile. The score for head protection was penalised and its protection was rated only adequate in the adult occupant category, but it took maximum points for its protection of the younger crash dummy in the dynamic crash tests.

The fourth-generation Mazda MX-5 had a good overall performance while scoring an impressive 93 per cent in pedestrian safety due to the deployable bonnet that is fitted as standard. Mazda missed out on the top marks by deeming it unnecessary to fit autonomous emergency braking as standard, like many similarly priced cars. The Audi TT was recently criticized by NCAP for the same problem.

Check out our round-up of the safest cars on sale here...