23 October 2002: A number of European cars have achieved high star ratings in some stages of the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s latest NCAP crash and rollover tests.

They include the Audi A4, which received the top star rating for driver’s side impact; the Saab 9-5 which gained the five-star credit for frontal impact for both driver and passenger; the BMW 3-series saloon, getting five stars for front passenger protection, and four for the driver, in frontal impact; the MINI Cooper which achieved four stars for frontal impact for both front occupants, as well as side impact on the driver’s side, and for rollover.

Other cars sold on this market also did well, with the Honda Civic 3-door hatch achieving fives in both frontal impact, fours on each side impact, and four for rollover; Daewoo Nubira making a four in both frontal impact zones and another four for rollover; the Hyundai Santa Fe getting a five for driver side impact; and the US-built Ford Focus saloon winning a five for driver frontal, four for the front passenger, and four each for passenger side impact protection and rollover.

The new Toyota Camry also won a couple of fives, for driver frontal and passenger side, and a four for passenger frontal; while the Toyota Corolla saloon won fives for both frontals, and fours for the other three elements.