Brussels  - Some of the most fuel efficient cars on the road, including the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius 3, have received top ratings in the latest Euro NCAP crash test, according to figures provided by the organisation.

"The latest results for the Insight and the Prius 3 show that good fuel economy need not stand in the way of a high level of safety performance," the Euro NCAP said in commending the two hybrid vehicles for their impressive score on pedestrian safety.

Pedestrian protection has been low on the priority list of car makers with only 25 per cent of cars achieving more than a two star rating on pedestrian safety.

"The technology and know-how is out there for car makers to deliver vehicles with better pedestrian protection. Honda and Toyota are giving us a glimpse of the cars of the future that consider the natural and social environment in its entirety," Euro NCAP'S secretary general Dr Michiel van Ratingen said.

The top five star rating in the safety test was given to the Honda Insight, the Kia Sorento, the Renault Grand Scenic, the Skoda Yeti, the Subaru Legacy, the Toyota Prius 3 and the Volkswagen Polo. The Citroen C3 missed out on the five stars because Electronic Stability Control (ESC) was not fitted to enough cars in the range. (dpa)