Euro NCAP crash tests: hybrids score full marks

By Tim Swietochowski

Motor Industry

26 August 2009 14:49

The Toyota Prius 3 and Honda Insight are among seven new cars to achieve five-star safety ratings in the latest Euro NCAP crash tests out today.

Dr Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP’s secretary general said: ‘The technology and
know-how is out there for car makers to deliver vehicles with better pedestrian
protection. Honda and Toyota are giving us a glimpse of the cars of the future that
consider the natural and social environment in its entirety.’

A Toyota official said hybrids posed new problems for its engineers. ‘We have never had a battery-related incident reported to us. The battery itself is located behind the rear seats, which is the safest position in the car and if an airbag goes off, for instance, the entire system shuts down.’

The Kia Sorento, Renault Grand Scenic, Skoda Yeti, Subaru Legacy and Volkswagen Polo all emerged with five-star Euro NCAP ratings.

Only one car missed out on the top score – Citroen’s new C3 managed four stars. Testers criticised its lack of electronic stability control as standard across the range; it has to be fitted to at least 85% of the range for cars to be in with a shout of getting five stars.

By Tim Swietochowski