Volvo V40 world's safest car

After promoting the crash-test performance of its boxy babies for more than 40 years, the sensible Swedish maker has done it again with its smooth looking new mid-sized V40 wagon.

But the V40 has done more than just score a predictable five-star ranking from the latest series of Euro NCAP crash-barrier tests. It's also, officially, the best-yet scorer in Euro NCAP testing and set the mark during trials that also produced five-star scores for the latest Audi A3, Ford's B-Max SUV, the Euro-only Kia C'eed and the Renault Clio headed back to Australia in 2013.

The V40 got a 98 per cent score for its occupant protection, got a perfect score for safety assistance technology - including lane departure warning - but got to the top overall thanks to an 88 per cent score for pedestrian protection. Minimising injuries to pedestrians is the latest safety focus in Europe and the Volvo scores thanks to a unique pedestrian airbag.

Volvo says sensors at the front of the V40 detect any contact with a pedestrian, triggering a charge that releases the bonnet - with the help of an airbag - to then provide cushioning and protection for a pedestrian's head. "In Europe, 14 per cent of all road traffic fatalities are pedestrians," says Michel van Ratingen, general secretary of Euro NCAP.

"While, in the last three years, Euro NCAP has increased the requirements, the vehicle manufacturers have stepped up to the challenge. The scores observed today were unthinkable just a few years ago, with the new V40 setting a new standard." The latest Euro scores come in the same week as the Holden Volt, the first range-extender hybrid in Australian showrooms, also picks up a five-star rating from ANCAP locally.

The Volt heads a list that includes the Renault Megane and Audi Q3, although the Nissan Juke - which also gets five stars - and the four-star Suzuki Splash also rated by ANCAP are only going to New Zealand. The Volt was singled out by ANCAP boss, Lauchlan McIntosh, because of potential concerns about electric cars - especially some reported Volt fires in the USA - among local consumers.

"Battery-powered vehicles provide a different challenge. However, the crash protection provided by the Volt is on part with our traditionally-powered models," he says.