The new SEAT Ibiza and Arona maintain their flawless five-star Euro NCAP safety ratings, five years after they first achieved the impressive target.

Despite Euro NCAP’s testing becoming more stringent in recent years, both models have successfully sustained the highest safety ratings.

The tests have become more rigorous and now include the introduction of a moving barrier to moving car frontal crash test, replacing the moderate offset-deformable barrier test. This helps Euro NCAP better evaluate the protection of occupants inside the car, and how the cars’ front-end structures contribute too.

In addition, updated side impact testing includes adjustments to the near-side barrier test speed and mass and far-side impact protection, with greater focus on driver protection and the potential interaction between the driver and front seat passenger.

“It’s a proud moment for everyone who worked on the new SEAT Ibiza and Arona to have achieved Euro NCAP’s top rating,” said Dr Werner Tietz, SEAT’s Executive Vice-President for Research and Development.

“SEAT always places great emphasis on safety, integrating the latest technologies, whether active or passive, to deliver the safest vehicles on the market.”

In addition to the existing equipment already found on the two vehicles, both were updated to include modifications to the exterior body: a re-designed front-end structure was adapted for the new Mobile Progressive Deformable Barrier head-on crash, and structural reinforcements were implemented for optimised side impact protection.

The vehicles’ restraint systems were also updated to integrate front seat belts with a dual belt pretensioner, and the addition of a rear seat belt reminder. Furthermore, a new passenger airbag has been added to make the interior even safer.

Safety tests also rely on an impressive range of active safety technologies to help mitigate and in some cases prevent incidents occurring in the first place.

Both the new SEAT Ibiza and Arona now feature new camera technology as standard as well as Lane Assist technology. In addition, the onboard radar software has been optimised to include Pedestrian and Bicycle Recognition, helping protect vulnerable road users.