Audi A4, Honda HR-V deemed five-star safe

The new Audi A4 is judged to be among the safest cars in its class, after achieving the full five stars out of five in the latest round of Euro NCAP safety testing.

It's an accolade shared with the Honda HR-V, which also scored five stars during the same round of testing. Euro NCAP also tested the Honda Jazz, but that had already been named as a five-star car, the results from the crash test performance by ASEAN NCAP already trickling through to local safety testing authority ANCAP earlier this year.

Euro NCAP also awarded the A4 the "Euro NCAP advanced" special award for its standard-fit active safety system, multicollision brake assist, and its pre sense basic system – available as an option.

Audi's multicollision brake assist system automatically brakes the vehicle in the event of an accident, reducing the danger of skidding as well as the risk of further collisions. The pre sense basic system tightens the seat belt in hazardous situations leading up to a collision and closes the windows and sunroof.

The ninth-generation (B9) Audi A4 is scheduled to arrive in Australia in February 2016.

At 32.9 points (86%) for adult occupant protection, the HR-V didn't rate as highly as the Audi (34.5 points/90%), but did score maximum points in the side barrier crash test. The Honda was assessed as 'good' for protection of the lower extremities in the front seats.