Honda’s EV Civic Wins 5 Star NCAP Rating

The all-new Honda Civic e:HEV has been awarded the maximum five-star rating in the latest Euro NCAP safety tests, says the manufacturer. For insurers looking to rate the risk it’s good news that Honda has packed the car with tech to minimise collisions. Here’s the word.

Embodying Honda’s commitment to zero road fatalities involving any of its products by 2050, the 11^th 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 11^th 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 has also enhanced the view of its on-board cameras on the new Civic, plus a new chip so the software can identify hazards faster and more accurately.