The Mazda MX-30 and 2020 Honda Jazz have both achieved five-star scores in Euro NCAP’s latest safety-assessing crash tests.

Both the Mazda MX-30 and Honda Jazz performed well when assessed against the latest 2020 testing protocols, developed by Thatcham Research, that focus on safety equipment and collision performance. 

The MX-30, Mazda’s debut electric vehicle (EV) scored 91% for adult occupation protection due to its front-end structure and new far-side restraints, and 68% for its vulnerable road user collision avoidance capability.

Matthew Avery, director of research at Thatcham Research, said: “The MX-30 is a full EV that continues the work Mazda has done for a long time to provide good levels of passive and active protection in its vehicles that give motorists confidence. Emerging from our most exacting tests ever with five stars is credit to them.

“The car’s passive safety score is very good, particularly in light of the fact our tests are more exacting than ever before with the use of a new mobile progressive deformable barrier and new dummies. Achieving five stars is now harder than ever.”

Meanwhile, the 2020 Honda Jazz, available with a hybrid powertrain, equipped with the up-to-date safety equipment, including autonomous emergency braking and centre-mounted airbag to protect the driver and front passenger against injuries in far-side crashes, scored 87% for adult occupation protection and 76% for safety assist capability.

Avery said: “This Jazz’s latest results aren’t as good as one of its main category rivals, the Toyota Yaris, but still continues the five-star performance we’ve had with previous generations of the car. As always with Honda, its pedestrian protection capability is a particular highlight.”

Volkswagen's newly-launched all-electric ID.3 hatchback was awarded a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, last month (October).