The new Toyota Prius and Honda Insight are among seven cars to receive a maximum five star rating in the latest round of Euro NCAP safety awards.
The hybrid cars scored highly in the pedestrian impact tests and also both met the requirements for the tougher safety tests being introduced in 2012.
See the cars being tested in the Euro NCAP awards picture gallery
Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP’s secretary general, said: “The technology and know-how is out there for carmakers 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.”
As well as the Insight and the Prius, the Kia Sorento, Renault Grand Scenic, Skoda Yeti, Subaru Legacy and Volkswagen Polo all scored five stars in the tests.
The Citroen C3 received four stars and only missed out on a fifth as ESC is not fitted as standard on enough of the model range.
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