Top marks! New Skoda Kodiaq and Superb achieve five-star safety scores

• Skoda Superb and Kodiaq achieve top Euro NCAP safety rating
• Tougher testing criteria since 2023
• Both models on sale now

The new Skoda Superb and new Skoda Kodiaq have both achieved a maximum five-star rating in their recent Euro NCAP crash safety test, continuing the Czech carmaker’s string of top scores. Every new Skoda since 2008 has achieved the maximum rating, although these latest results are even more impressive given the stricter test criteria introduced in 2023.

Euro NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme) is an independent body that has carried out standardised car safety tests since 1997. It purchases a vehicle anonymously and tests its crash safety performance and crash prevention technology beyond the minimum legal safety standard. Each vehicle is awarded a rating out of five stars, with more in-depth scoring for separate adult occupant, child occupant, vulnerable road users, and safety assist categories.

The fourth-generation Skoda Superb is the brand’s large family car, available as a saloon and an estate, and shares much of its structure, engine range and technology with the latest Volkswagen Passat. The two are so closely related, in fact, that Euro NCAP only needed to put the Volkswagen through its rigorous safety assessment; its five-star rating applies to the Superb, as well. It performed especially well in adult and child occupant categories, scoring 93% and 87%, respectively. 

The Skoda Kodiaq, despite sharing its platform and engines with the Volkswagen Tiguan, was tested separately, although both scored the maximum five stars. The Kodiaq achieved 89% in the adult occupant category compared to the Tiguan’s 83%, although the latter outperformed it in the child occupant and vulnerable road users categories.

While the top score of five stars has remained the same across all Euro NCAP tests since 1997, the organisation updates its test procedures every few years to reflect improvements in crash safety and crash prevention technology, with the most recent revision occurring in 2023. As a result, cars tested in different years aren’t always directly comparable.

Thanks to their five-star safety ratings, the new Skoda Superb and Kodiaq rank as some of the safest new cars you can buy today. Other five-star awardees from 2023 onwards include the Mercedes E-Class, Toyota C-HR, Kia EV9, Mercedes EQE, Volkswagen ID.7, BYD Dolphin, BYD Seal, BYD Seal U, BMW 5 Series, Smart #3, and Lexus RZ.

Find out more about the Skoda Superb and Skoda Kodiaq by reading our in-depth reviews…