Renowned vehicle safety organization EuroNCAP has released its latest set of crash-test results featuring the Honda CR-V and Citroen C4 Picasso, which both earned the maximum five stars. The latest CR-V has recently reached the local market.

According to the organization, by law, all new car models must pass certain safety tests before they are sold, however legislation provides a minimum statutory standard of safety for new cars. EuroNCAP’s aim is to encourage manufacturers to exceed these minimum requirements.

The C4 Picasso scored 86% for Adult Occupant Protection, 88% for Child Occupant Protection, 68% for Pedestrian Protection and 81% for Safety Assist, while the Honda CR-V which recently launched in South Africa scored 93% for Adult Occupant Protection, 74% for Child Occupant Protection, 68% for Pedestrian Protection and 66% for Safety Assist.

Both cars were given the top ‘Good’ rating for whiplash protection in the event of a rear impact.

The Safety Assist score refers to a new test implemented relatively recently by the safety organisation. Manufactures often offer new breakthroughs in safety assist systems technologies which play an increasingly important role in accident avoidance. Euro NCAP implemented this crashworthy vehicle test to help mitigate the consequences for those involved in an accident and enhance driver judgement. Many systems are quite new and their impact on safety is not yet fully understood.

However, other technologies such as Intelligent Seat Belt Reminders, Electronic Stability Control and Speed Assistance systems have already been shown to save lives and are widely available amongst the vehicle fleet. The functionality of these technologies is assessed by Euro NCAP and points can be scored, but only if the fitment on all of the vehicle variants sold across Europe is high.

Other star ratings from 2013 include the Toyota Auris, also relatively new to the SA market, which scored 92% for Adult Occupant Protection, 84% for Child Occupant Protection, 68% for Pedestrian Protection and 66% for Safety Assist, and the Toyota RAV4 which scored 89% for Adult Occupant Protection, 82% for Child Occupant Protection, 66% for Pedestrian Protection and 66% for Safety Assist.

EuroNCAP also presented two automakers with its Advanced Award, which went to Mitsubishi for its Forward Collision Mitigation system and to Fiat, for the City Brake Control feature offered as an option on the Panda and 500L.