TAKE a look at Honda's results in Euro NCAP tests over the years and the extent to which the Japanese company has improved the crash-worthiness of its cars quickly becomes obvious.
A decade ago, back in 1998, the Honda Civic was one of the earliest cars tested by Euro NCAP and, although it was only awarded two and a half stars after crash testing, that was pretty much par for the course in terms of compact family cars of the day.
Indeed the testers concluded at the time: 'In most areas, the Civic gave reasonable protection.'
But it clearly wasn't good enough and Honda's engineers went to work with a vengeance and since 2001 every Honda crashed by Euro NCAP has come out smelling of roses with at least a four star rating for adult protection.
The icing on the cake came when the latest Legend achieved a maximum five star rating for adult protection and four stars for its child protection when it was tested last year.
Honda's dedication to safety engineering doesn't just apply to its most expensive models, however.
For example the Jazz, the company's smallest UK model, was given a four star rating for adult protection and three stars for child protection as long ago as 2004, leading Euro NCAP testers to conclude: 'The Jazz's cabin proved to be strong and stable, suffering only minimal deformation in the frontal impact. Its restraint systems worked well to protect the occupants and kept the driver's head away from the steering wheel.'
The result came as no surprise to Honda's designers and engineers who were set the objective of achieving best-in-class levels of safety and put prototype models through their own 'real-life' crash test programme before submitting the finished product to Euro NCAP for evaluation.
Key to the Jazz's in-built crash safety is a carefully devised body structure based on extensive computer analysis. It features an 'arch-type' front side frame which, as well as absorbing a large amount of impact energy in its own right, then channels energy back below the cabin area into the floor frame thereby minimising cabin intrusion.
In addition, the cross members of the adjoining main frame surround the fuel tank providing a protective perimeter frame. This arrangement assures high body rigidity and improved crash worthiness in a rational and simple design.
HONDA JAZZ EURO NCAP VERDICT
Adult occupant ****
Child occupant ***
PANEL
HOW EURO NCAP RATES OTHER HONDAS
CIVIC
Adult occupant ****
Child occupant ****
Honda have modified the safety system of the Civic for the 2008 model year car. The timing of the pretensioners has been changed to provide better restraint of the front seat passengers ...
CR-V
Adult occupant ****
Child occupant ****
The CR-V scored maximum points in the side impact and pole tests.