Honda Insight Gets 5 Star Euro NCAP Rating

After being subjected to the new testing procedures of the Euro NCAP, the Honda Insight rolled away crushed, but with a great achievement: a 5 star rating. The Japanese hybrid thus joins rival Prius in achieving this result.

"The new Honda Insight has been rated one of Europe‘s safest cars, setting the benchmark for hybrid vehicles, according to the new independent crash testing results from Euro NCAP," Honda said in a release.

The Insight underwent the new rating procedures, approved in February and managed to be rated at 90 percent for adult occupant protection, 74 percent for child occupant protection and 76 percent for pedestrian protection.

"Euro NCAP's new assessment reflects Honda's commitment to overall vehicle safety, complimenting Honda's long standing in-house safety testing which seeks to improve real world safety. Honda's car-to-car crash test facility at the Tochigi R&D plant analyses impacts between models of different sizes and weights and develops solutions to mitigate injuries for both for passengers and pedestrians."

The Insight managed to score no less than 86 percent for safety assist systems. It comes equipped, in left-hand drive countries, with Electronic Stability Control as standard (for right hand drive countries, it is optional, but Honda says it will make it standard soon). A seatbelt reminder is also fitted as standard on the Insight, for both front and rear seats.

So far, the new rating scheme has proved beneficial for Honda, as three of its models tested according to the rules achieved top scores; the Civic, the Accord and the Jazz.