The latest round of EuroNCAP crash testing has turned into a five-star affair, with all four automotive victims having achieved the maximum star rating.
This despite the fact that the requirements for a five-star rating are somewhat higher this year, particularly as far as pedestrian protection is concerned - something that is now included in the overall result.
The crash test subjects in this scenario were the new BMW 3 Series, Hyundai i30, Mazda CX-5 and Peugeot 208, of which the latter three are on their way to South Africa in the coming months.
Let's take a closer look at how each performed and if none of these cars are on your horizon, click the link at the bottom of the page for the full list of cars crash tested by EuroNCAP.
BMW 3 Series
Overall rating - 5 stars
Adult protection - 95%
Child protection - 84%
Pedestrian protection - 78%
Safety assist rating - 86%
The BMW's passenger compartment remained stable during the frontal impact, in which the car crashes into an offset deformable barrier at 64km/h. It offered good protection of the knees and femur.
The Beemer scored the maximum points in the side impact and pole tests, where it offered enough protection to all body parts to earn it full marks for side protection.
The smallest of crash test dummies, in the child seat, also recorded strong protection, the 3 Series earning maximum points for the protection of an 18-month-old and only losing a fraction of a point for the protection of a three-year-old.
Hyundai i30
Overall rating - 5 stars
Adult protection - 90%
Child protection - 90%
Pedestrian protection - 67%
Safety assist rating - 86%
Like the BMW, the Hyundai's passenger cell remained stable in the frontal impact and offered adequate protection to all body parts in this and the standard side-impact test. However, it was shown to provide poor protection for the chest in the in the more severe side pole test.
On the upside, the Hyundai did show to provide good protection against whiplash in a rear-end crash and it also scored maximum points for child protection.
Mazda CX-5
Overall rating - 5 stars
Adult protection - 94%
Child protection - 87%
Pedestrian protection - 64%
Safety assist rating - 86%
The Mazda scored very well in the front impact test and also received maximum points in the standard side-impact and the more severe side pole smash. In the child safety tests, the Mazda garnered maximum points for the protection of a three-year old, but lost a fraction of a point for its shielding of an 18-month-old.
Peugeot 208
Overall rating - 5 stars
Adult protection - 88%
Child protection - 78%
Pedestrian protection - 61%
Safety assist rating - 83%
Peugeot's latest compact hatch provided good protection in the frontal crash and adequate shielding in the side impact but chest protection in the side pole test was deemed marginal, as was the protection in the event of a rear-end collision.
Child protection was also adequate but a mere 61 percent score for pedestrian protection means the little Peugeot only just qualified for an overall five-star rating.