The two latest Alfa Romeo models have received top ratings, while the Citroen C3 has fallen short in the latest round of the Australasia New Car Assessment Programme (ANCAP) safety ratings.

The Alfa Romeo Giulia, a mid-sized sedan, and Alfa Romeo Stelvio, a medium-sized SUV, achieved 5 star safety ratings. Both performed well across the crash tests, notably achieving the equal highest scores to date - 98 per cent and 97 per cent respectively - for adult occupation protection.

Meanwhile, the Citroen C3 achieved just 4 stars due to its poor performance in pedestrian safety tests. It received a score of just 59 per cent for pedestrian safety, as a result of its inability to actively detect and prevent pedestrian contact combined with head injury risk.

AA Motoring Services General Manager Stella Stocks says manufacturers need to consider the safety of all vehicle occupants – and all road users.

“Safety standards are rising, and it’s no longer the case that having just a few basic safety features will satisfy consumers,” she says.

The Alfa Romeo 5 star safety ratings apply to all 2.0 litre petrol and 2.2 litre diesel Giulia and Stelvio variants.

Both Alfa Romeo models have autonomous emergency braking (AEB) which can go a long a way in preventing a crash by automatically engaging the brakes of a vehicle when it senses a hazard within critical range. When tested, the AEB performed well on both vehicles at high speeds typical of highways and at low speeds typical of city driving.

It is optional for New Zealand models of the Citroen C3 built after March 2018 to have AEB systems, while none built before March 2018 have AEB. The vehicle’s AEB was not tested as a part of ANCAP’s crash tests.

The full list of ANCAP’s vehicle safety ratings, other vehicle safety information and the specifications of the rated vehicles are available online at ancap.co.nz or rightcar.govt.nz.

ANCAP is supported by all Australian motoring clubs, the New Zealand Automobile Association, the Australian Government, the New Zealand Government, Australian state and territory governments, the Victorian Transport Accident Commission, NRMA Insurance and the FIA Foundation.