NCAP tests: seven new five-star cars - Introduction

The Honda Insight and Toyota Prius hybrids were among seven cars that each attained Euro NCAP's top five-star score in results released today.

The other cars to get the top rating were:
• Kia Sorento
• Renault Grand Scenic
• Skoda Yeti
• Subaru Legacy
• VW Polo

Euro NCAP singled out special praise for the top-scoring hybrid cars because of their impressive scores in the pedestrian protection scores. The two cars already meet Euro NCAP's 2012 targets for pedestrian protection.

Citroen's C3 received a four-star score because, Euro NCAP says, stability control won't be fitted as standard in sufficient numbers across the whole range to warrant a five-star score (although it will be standard on some models).

Euro NCAP has toughened its scoring system this year to make it harder for cars to get a five-star score. Part of the new tests include better whiplash protection, and Euro NCAP praised the Honda Insight, Kia Sorento and to Skoda Yeti for all having seats with head restraints that offer good whiplash protection.

Read on for the detailed reports on each of the eight cars tested.