New Honda CR-V gets five-star Euro NCAP rating

The results of the latest Euro NCAP safety tests revealed that the new Honda CR-V was awarded a five-star rating, bringing the new CR-V into the Honda fold. The Jazz, HR-V and Civic were all awarded the highest possible five-star score by Euro NCAP.

The CR-V has a unique body structure that provides class-leading rigidity and stiffness. The model also comes with a comprehensive suite of active safety technologies.

Utilising an ‘All Directions Collision Safety’ concept, the model's platform design incorporates Honda’s next-generation ACE (Advanced Compatibility Engineering) body structure. This update employs a network of connected structural elements to distribute collision energy more evenly, which helps reduce the forces transferred to the passenger cell when an impact occurs; thus providing superior front, side and rear crash-worthiness.

The passive safety features seen in the all-new CR-V are complemented by the Honda Sensing suite, which consists of active safety and driver-assist technologies. Honda Sensing is among the most comprehensive suites of safety technologies available in its class. The suite uses a combination of radar and camera information in conjunction with a host of high-tech sensors to warn and assist the driver of potentially dangerous scenarios.

According to the Euro NCAP report, "The passenger compartment of the CR-V remained stable in the frontal offset test. Dummy readings indicated good protection of the knees and femurs of the driver and passenger." In addition, the protection of the passenger dummy was "good for all critical body areas." The report went on to say that in the full-width rigid barrier test, protection of the driver and rear passenger was "good or adequate for all critical body areas."

Many whiplash injuries in car accidents are caused at low speeds, typical of city driving. To this end, the standard-fit autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system "performed well in tests at the low speeds."

The frontal offset test, indicated "marginal protection of the neck" for the 10-year-old dummy, while the protection of both dummies was "good or adequate". Meanwhile, the car scored the maximum possible points in the side barrier test, during which all critical body areas were well-protected.

The front passenger airbag of the CR-V can be disabled for a rearward-facing child restraint. The NCAP report also appreciate that the system provides clear information to the driver with respect to the status of the airbag, which boosted the CR-V's rating. The Honda's optional third-row seats also had restraints that "could be properly installed and accommodated."

While dummy readings  indicated "marginal protection of the chest" during the more severe side pole impact test, tests on the front seats and head restraints indicated that they provided "good protection against whiplash injury" during a rear-end collision. "However, a geometric assessment of the rear seats indicated poor whiplash protection," the Euro NCAP report went on to say.