The Subaru Forester has made it to the list of the safest cars made for the year according to the European New Car Assessment Program or Euro NCAP. It was named the “Best in the Class Cars of 2019” in the Small Off-Road / MPV category.

This award is given to the best performing model of each class in the Euro NCAP safety performance test and marks the second time that Subaru has received this recognition—the Subaru XV and Impreza were awarded “Best in Class of 2017” in the Small Family Car category.

The Forester achieved the maximum five-star overall rating with outstanding scores in all four assessment areas (Adult Occupant, Child Occupant, Vulnerable Road Users, Safety Assist) and achieved the highest score ever in its class for “Child Occupant Protection” in the Euro NCAP 2019 assessment protocol.

Euro NCAP commented in the official crash test report:

“In both the frontal and side barrier tests, protection of all critical body areas was good for both dummies and the Forester scored maximum points in this part of the assessment. The front passenger airbag is automatically disabled when a rearward-facing child restraint is put in that seating position. Tests showed that the system worked robustly and the system was rewarded. All of the restraint types for which the Forester is designed could be properly installed and accommodated in the car.”

In addition to Child Occupant Protection, the Forester also performed the best score ever for Subaru in the Adult Occupant Protection.

Its superior crash safety performance has been achieved thanks to the Subaru Global Platform, a cutting-edge re-design of the body and chassis that has increased body strength by 40 percent compared to the outgoing Forester and allows the frame structure to absorb more energy in the event of a collision.

The Forester is now safer than ever and comes with a suite of driver-assist and safety features as standard: EyeSight driver assist technology (providing Pre-Collision Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, and other functions).

The other Best in Class Cars of 2019 are:

• Large Family Car: Tesla Model 3
• Large Family Car: BMW 3 Series
• Large Off-Road: Tesla Model X
• Small Family Car: Mercedes-Benz CLA
• Small Off-Road / MPV: Subaru Forester
• Supermini: Renault Clio
• Supermini: Audi A1
• Hybrid and Electric: Tesla Model 3