June/July 2001: The Honda Civic has achieved the best-ever rating for pedestrian protection in the latest European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP).

It was awarded three stars out of a possible four for its pedestrian protection in the latest test results, which also gave it four stars out of five in the severe frontal and side impact tests.

Other results announced for the frontal and side impact tests were: Mercedes C-class (four stars), Mitsubishi Carisma (three stars), Rover 75 (four stars), Volkswagen Passat (four stars), Fiat Multipla (three stars) and Opel Zafira (three stars). In March this year, the Renault Laguna became the first car to achieve a five-star rating in the impact tests.