Euro NCAP has awarded the Kia Carens a maximum 5-star safety rating in its crash tests.

The compact MPV was helped on its way to the coveted rating with the aid of a comprehensive level of safety equipment. As standard it comes with six airbags (front, side and curtain), seatbelt reminders for all occupants, electronic stability control, hill-start assist and emergency stop signalling, which flashes the brake lights to alert other motorists when the car is making an emergency stop.

Individually, the model scored 94 per cent for adult occupant safety, 76 per cent for child occupant safety, 64 per cent for pedestrian safety and 81 per cent for its safety assist equipment.

Benny Oeyen, vice president of marketing and product planning at Kia Motors Europe, commented on the achievement: “In the last five years, Euro NCAP testing criteria has become tougher, making it harder for manufacturers’ products to be awarded top marks.

“It is a testament to Kia’s ongoing commitment to improving vehicle safety that we are able to once again achieve the highest rating with new Carens.”

The Carens is priced between £17,895 and £23,895. Previous generation models are available for a fraction of this however. Perhaps the improved safety features will boost residual values of the new model.