EuroNCAP: Mazda 2 gets 5 stars in crash test

The Mazda 2 has scored a maximum five stars on the EuroNCAP crash test programme.

Mazda’s new supermini scored five stars for adult occupant protection – an impressive result considering its small size – and four stars for its child occupant protection.

Mazda attributes its performance to the use of a lightweight but strong body created using high and ultra high tensile steels.

And Mazda’s results were announced alongside a number of cars in the latest round of EuroNCAP tests:

• Mercedes C-class - five stars for adult occupant protection, three stars for child occupant protection and two stars for pedestrian protection;

• Renault Laguna – five stars for adult occupant protection, four stars for child occupant protection and two stars for pedestrians;

• Honda Civic – four stars for adult and child occupant protection, and three stars for pedestrian protection;

• Daihatsu Materia – four stars for adult occupant protection, three stars for child occupant protection and two stars for pedestrian protection;

• Volvo V70 – five stars for adult occupant protection, four stars for child occupant protection and two stars for pedestrian protection. 
 
The Mazda 2 also scored two out of a possible four stars for its pedestrian safety credentials

The only other superminis with the full EuroNCAP five stars for adult protection are:

- BMW Mini
- Fiat 500
- Fiat Grande Punto
- Peugeot 1007
- Peugeot 207
- Renault Modus
- Renault Clio (2005-)
- Toyota Yaris (2005-)
- Vauxhall Corsa (2006-)

The Euro NCAP pedestrian safety tests measure the impact of adult and child sized models against the bumper and bonnet. Cars which score well have bumpers and bonnets which are deformable and spread the impact over a large area.