In the individual measurements in the tests, the protection for adults was also the highest ever recorded, at 98 percent.
The provision of systems such as the WHIPS whiplash protection system are part of the reason for the high overall result, while in the safety assist category, the Volvo V40 scores maximum possible points.
Other systems include Pedestrian Detection and a special airbag to minimise injury to pedestrians hitting the windscreen, a Lane Keeping Aid which helps the driver stay within his or her lane, and BLIS which helps the driver detect vehicles in the offset rear ‘blind spot'.
Other cars which received the maximum 5-star rating in the latest ENCAP round of tests include the Renault Clio, the Ford B-MAX, and the Kia cee'd.
