Renault's Espace IV got top billing at the recent Euro NCAP results, achieving the best result of any car tested in the independent crash tests. Five other cars, the BMW X5, Peugeot 807, Saab 9-5, Toyota Avensis and the Volvo XC90, also achieved five stars.
All six "five star"manufacturers met the requirements of Euro NCAP's new seat belt reminder protocol.
In the latest tests pedestrian protection has improved overall with VW's Touran joining the MG TF as the second European designed and manufactured car to achieve a three-star rating.
Max Mosley, Euro NCAP chairman said: "In January 2000 Euro NCAP introduced a fifth star to its rating system, some manufacturers felt achieving a five-star score would be impossible, but 12 cars have now gained five star status. More than ever before car manufacturers have realised that safety not only saves lives but also sells cars. However, there are still wide variations in performance. The Kia Sedona/Carnival MPV has produced the lowest score since June 2001. failing the standard in frontal impact performance."
Intimating at less impressive safety for US cars, Guido Adriaenssens, chief executive of the International Consumer Research and Testing said: "The Kia Sedona/Carnival is one of the very few cars tested by Euro NCAP that was developed primarily for the US market and these cars appear to have performed significantly worse than their European and Japanese counterparts."