Top safety ratings achieved by VW Tiguan, Maxus MPV and Zeekr electric cars

Vehicle safety organisation Euro NCAP has granted top five-star ratings to a batch of new cars including the third generation Volkswagen Tiguan SUV and the new Maxus MIFA 7 MPV.

Two electric cars from Chinese brand Zeekr, which isn't yet in the UK but is beginning sales in mainland Europe, also gained five-star ratings. 

However a Ford people carrier, the Tourneo Custom MPV, only achieved a three-star rating and the safety organisation said it is a disappointing result.

Dr. Michiel van Ratingen, secretary general of Euro NCAP, said: "We believe that Ford will feel disappointed by this result, particularly given their recent efforts and commitment in improving the safety of its commercial van line-up – the Ford Transit Custom achieved our highest van rating of Platinum.

"The Tourneo Custom is highly equipped with active safety technologies, yet it is slightly let down by this performance."

Euro NCAP said the Volkswagen Tiguan, which is VW's third best-selling model in the UK, has has "moved on several steps" from its predecessor with more updated technologies that will certainly ensure that this family SUV continues to maintain its popularity. 

All versions come with the latest safety technologies like automatic emergency braking (AEB) and lane-keeping assistance and a system that monitors driver fatigue, which all helped it achieve its five-star rating.

The Maxus MIFA 7, an electric-powered people carrier with seven seats and capable of around 300 miles from its fully charged 90 kWh battery, achieved high scores during crash tests in Euro NCAP's lab and comfortably achieved an overall rating of 5 stars.

Euro NCAP noted that the Ford Tourneo Custom scores an overall safety rating of 3 stars with standard equipment, with the possibility of 4 stars when upgrading to an optional safety pack.