Autonomous emergency braking systems are beginning to become commonplace despite being a relatively new safety technology. Euro NCAP has completed its first test of autonomous braking systems by testing eight vehicles in simulated rear end crashes.

Euro NCAP believes that the modern systems can be separated into two types. City systems work at low speeds of about 50km/h to reduce rear end accidents and neck injuries. Inter-Urban systems work at higher speeds of about 80km/h to mitigate serious injuries.

It gave the systems between one and three points, which translated to one point for marginal systems, two points for adequate systems and three points for good systems.

In the city system test, Euro NCAP evaluated:

Mercedes Benz E-ClassMercedes-Benz E-Class Gen.5Germany, 2009 > present345 versions
755 photos
- PRE-SAFE Brake - Good

Volvo V40Volvo V40 (modern) Gen.1Sweden, 2013 > present214 versions
390 photos
- City Safety & Collision Warning with Full Auto-Brake - Good

Mitsubishi OutlanderMitsubishi Outlander Gen.3Japan, 2013 > present27 versions
54 photos
- Forward Collision Mitigation - Good

Volvo XC60Volvo XC60Sweden, 2008 > present261 versions
377 photos
1 video
- City Safety - Adequate

Fiat 500LFiat 500L 1.4 MultiAir Tu...Italy, 2014 > present - City Brake Control - Adequate

Ford FocusFord Ford Focus (UK) Gen.3United Kingdom, 2011 > present207 versions
299 photos
- Active City Stop - Adequate

For the Inter-Urban system test, Euro NCAP tested each system twice. The first time braking when the system warned the driver, and the second time when not responding at all and letting the system do all the braking.

It tested:

Mercedes Benz E-Class - PRE-SAFE Brake - Good

Volvo V40 - City Safety & Collision Warning with Full Auto-Brake - Good

Volkswagen GolfVolkswagen Volkswagen Golf Gen.7 [VII]Germany, 2012 > present363 versions
458 photos
- Front Assist - Good

Mitsubishi Outlander - Forward Collision Mitigation - Adequate

Honda CivicHonda Civic Gen.9Japan, 2011 > present85 versions
193 photos
- Collision Mitigation Brake System – Marginal

In January, Euro NCAP’s safety testing will begin giving points to automakers that include the technology in their cars, but this test represents a baseline for future testing.