All-new Honda Civic e:HEV achieves top five-star score in latest Euro NCAP tests

The all-new Honda Civic e:HEV has been awarded the maximum five-star rating in the latest Euro NCAP safety tests. Embodying Honda's commitment to zero road fatalities involving any of its products by 2050, the 11th generation Civic features a number of improved and upgraded technologies to achieve one of the highest level of passenger and pedestrian safety in its class.

To meet stringent Euro NCAP crash impact safety standards for Adult Occupant Protection, the Civic's body incorporates a number of structural braces to enhance the overall passive safety of the vehicle. This includes additional front door stiffeners and rear wheel arch frames that improve side impact performance. These are joined by a full-width brace that supports the joining edge between the floor and resin bulkhead, to help control and limit deformation in the event of a head on or offset frontal collision.

In addition to the stronger, more protective chassis, all trim variants of the new Civic incorporate a total of 11 airbags as standard, including knee airbags for both front occupants to reduce injury during front impacts and side airbags to protect front and rear seat passengers. A front centre airbag features for the first time, which prevents a collision between the driver and front passenger during a side impact.

This level of protection is extended to all occupants of the all-new Civic, not just adults. The car also scored well in the Child Occupant Protection category thanks to the integrated ISOFIX mounting points that conform to the latest European i-Size standards.

The 11th generation Civic is also considerate of vulnerable road users and pedestrians and is fitted with newly designed front bumper beam safety plates. These are designed to absorb impact energy, reducing the risk of leg fractures and knee ligament damage for pedestrians in the event of a collision. This protection is bolstered through the application of a pop-up hood, lined with an embossed membrane structure beneath the outer surface. This hidden component boasts highly efficient energy absorption properties should a pedestrian's head strike the outer surface, dramatically reducing the risk of severe injury.

Honda SENSING

The passive safety features on the all-new Civic are complemented by an enhanced Honda SENSING™ suite of active safety and driver assist technologies. This incorporates new sonar sensors that use sound waves to detect non-metallic objects such as glass and walls far more reliably and with far greater accuracy than the millimetre wave radar that was previously used.

The new Civic is also fitted with a wider 100-degree view camera, which improves the car's capability to identify road lines, verges, motorcycles, and cyclists. In addition, a new high-speed processing chip improves the detection, performance, and control of the system, meaning it can identify objects earlier and more accurately than before, including pedestrians in light and dark environments.

Included within Honda's expansive SENSING offering is an improved Forward Collision Warning System, which is designed to detect the presence of vehicles in front and issue audible, visual and tactile alerts to alert the driver if approaching with too much speed. If the driver fails to respond, the Collision Mitigation Braking System is triggered, which automatically applies light brake pressure to help reduce the likelihood or severity of a frontal impact. If the system senses imminent collision, it will now brake forcefully.

The new Honda Civic joins the CR-V and Jazz in being awarded the maximum five-star score by Euro NCAP.