THE all-electric Ford Mustang Mach-E and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 along with the Hyundai Tucson and Toyota Yaris Cross have all achieved top ratings in the latest round of Euro NCAP tests.

The Hyundai Bayon compact SUV was given a four star rating.

Euro NCAP said that while the Mach-E bears little resemblance to its five-litre muscle car cousin which scored only three stars when it was tested in 2017, the electric model comes equipped with a centre airbag, deployable bonnet for vulnerable road user protection and a host of advanced driver assistance features, offering high levels of all round driver support and crash prevention.

Hyundai impressed with three new models in the latest tests and although the Tucson only just cleared the hurdle in Safety Assist to get into five-star territory, both the Ioniq 5 and the Tucson displayed good all-round safety.

The crossover SUV Bayon, fighting its way into an already overcrowded and highly competitive segment, lacks the centre airbag that is standard in Ioniq 5 and Tuscon.

Nevertheless, the Bayon has robust crash protection and crash-avoidance features which help to secure it a creditable four-star rating, the organisation said.

The Toyota Yaris Cross follows hot on the heels of the hydrogen powered Mirai and Yaris with another five-star rating. The car is available as a petrol and HEV model.

In addition to its traditional safety crash and safety tests, Euro NCAP retested two light commercial vans - The Ford Transit and the smaller Transit Custom: - after the company made seat belt reminders standard for all occupants across the European market which gave the vehicles Gold Winner status in Euro NCAP's commercial van rankings.

Euro NCAP chief Michiel van Ratingen, said: "Vehicle use in road traffic is the most significant contributor to work-related traumatic injury, so small improvements, especially those that promote seatbelt wearing, can go a long way.

"Congratulations to Ford for updating their two commercial vans and making the effort of putting seat belt reminders as standard for drivers and co-drivers."