The new Toyota Corolla Verso has achieved five stars for passenger crash protection in Euro NCAP testing.

The seven-seat Verso, which went on sale in the UK on May 1, emulated the performance of the Toyota Avensis by setting the highest points score in its class.

It also performed strongly in the new child protection testing, with an equal best-in-class four-star rating.

Safety was a prime concern for Toyota designers and engineers in the development of the Corolla Verso. Their “Total Safety” approach to provide the effective active and passive safety equipment has been fully recognised by the Euro NCAP.

Features unique to the Corolla Verso in its class include an 18-litre driver's knee airbag, the efficiency of which was well-proven by the Euro NCAP tests. Toyota has developed the technology of the system to achieve a 40% load reduction on the driver's knees in the event of a frontal impact similar to the official test.

The Corolla Verso's impressive performance in the child protection test was helped by the excellent qualities of a Toyota-developed child seat. A triple-anchor ISOFIX system is provided for child seat attachment to the outer rear seats in the second row.

Thierry Dombreval, Toyota Motor Marketing Europe's senior vice president sales and after sales, says: “The five-star rating achieved by the Toyota Corolla Verso in the Euro NCAP tests demonstrates our strong commitment towards making cars that are not only more rewarding to drive, but are also safer.”