Audi Q2, Hyundai Ioniq score five-star safety

Audi’s upcoming Q2 SUV and Hyundai’s Ioniq EV have been awarded five stars for safety from Europe’s biggest crash test authority, the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP).

In the final round of safety ratings published for 2016, released today, Euro NCAP also awarded a full complement of stars to the new Ford Edge SUV, which belatedly replaces Ford's homegrown Territory here in 2018.

And in a trend that is becoming more prevalent in Europe, Euro NCAP awarded dual scores to the Suzuki Ignis, which arrives Down Under in January,  and Ssangyong Tivoli -- both which received three stars and five stars depending on whether they are fitted with an optional safety pack in Europe.

The Q2 will be one of the most watched new models for 2017 when it arrives in Australian showrooms around February. It will be priced from $41,400 plus on-road costs.

NCAP praised the swoopy SUV’s standard fitment of autonomous emergency braking, and said its structural traits and airbag fitment fared well in testing.

Similarly, the Hyundai Ioniq will be an important new model for the Korean brand – namely as the torchbearer for its new EV fleet. It scored strongly in Adult Occupant protection (91 per cent), and finished with 80 per cent for child occupants, 70 per cent for pedestrian protection and 82 per cent for safety assist systems.

The Ford Edge will arrive with a full Euro NCAP score thanks to its results across Adult Occupant (85 per cent), Child Occupant (76 per cent), Pedestrian Protection (67 per cent) and Safety Assist systems (89 per cent).

Meanwhile, the Ignis and Tivoli were both awarded dual scores depending on whether an optional safety pack is fitted.

According to Euro NCAP Secretary General Michiel van Ratingen, this ultimately provided more transparency to prospective customers.

“It is good to see the dual rating scheme being used as it encourages vehicle manufacturers to develop advanced technologies for their vehicles, even if pricing of the product does not allow it to be standard across the range,” he said.