Euro NCAP has awarded Vauxhall’s Astra the highest rating of five stars for its performance in front and side impact crash tests.

Euro NCAP also announced that the Astra is the safest car in its class, awarding it 34 points overall out of a possible 37.

Kevin Wale, Vauxhall’s chairman and managing director, says: "Our good performance in the crash tests is only one part of our intensive development work in the area of safety. Preventing accidents, through advanced chassis concepts such as IDSPlus or innovations like Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL) is just as important to us."

Additional safety elements include front and thorax/pelvis side airbags for driver and front seat passenger, curtain airbags, height adjustable head restraints in the front, three-point seat belts on all seats, two sets of ISOFIX child seat fittings on the rear seat, Vauxhall’s PRS (Pedal Release System) and a height/reach-adjustable safety steering column. In addition, a flashing light and a beep remind the driver and front seat passenger to fasten their seat belts.

Summary of the latest Euro NCAP results

Summary of results: FAMILY CARS
Peugeot 407:
Occupant Protection : 5 stars
Child Protection : 4 stars
Pedestrian Protection : 2 stars

Saab 9-3 Convertible
Occupant Protection : 5 stars
Child Protection : 3 stars
Pedestrian Protection : 1 star

Toyota Prius
Occupant Protection : 5 stars
Child Protection : 4 stars
Pedestrian Protection : 2 stars

Volvo S40
Occupant Protection : 5 stars
Child Protection : 4 stars
Pedestrian Protection : 2 stars

SMALL FAMILY CARS
Opel/Vauxhall Astra
Occupant Protection : 5 stars
Child Protection : 4 stars
Pedestrian Protection : 1 star

Renault Mégane CC
Occupant Protection : 5 stars
Child Protection : 3 stars
Pedestrian Protection : 2 stars

VW Golf
Occupant Protection : 5 stars
Child Protection : 4 stars
Pedestrian Protection : 3 stars

SUPERMINI
Honda Jazz
Occupant Protection : 4 stars
Child Protection : 3 stars
Pedestrian Protection : 3 stars

SMALL MPVS
Toyota Corolla Verso
Occupant Protection : 5 stars
Child Protection : 4 stars
Pedestrian Protection : 2 stars

Fiat Doblo
Occupant Protection : 3 stars
Child Protection : 3 stars
Pedestrian Protection : 1 star

ROADSTERS
BMW Z4
Occupant Protection : 4 stars
Child Protection : Not applicable
Pedestrian Protection : 2 stars

Opel/Vauxhall Tigra
Occupant Protection : 4 stars
Child Protection : Not applicable
Pedestrian Protection : 2 stars