THE family-friendly Toyota Verso model has been awarded a maximum five-star rating in the latest Euro NCAP safety performance test programme.

In the latest set of results from Euro NCAP the Verso was the only car out of several manufacturers' vehicles tested to receive the maximum five star rating under the revised, more demanding, 2010 crash test programme.

The Verso scored 89 per cent for Adult Occupancy, 75 per cent for Child Occupancy, 69 per cent for Pedestrian Impact and 86 per cent for Safety Assistance.

New Euro NCAP regulations were introduced in February last year and this marks the start of a three-step format which will see the introduction of  increasingly stringent crash testing rules over the next two years.

Significantly improved Pedestrian Impact performance constitutes one major change in this three step programme, with a 5-Star rating requiring a score of 25 per cent in 2009, 40 per cent in 2010 and 60 per cent in 2012.

By achieving 69 per cent, the Verso already fulfils the requirements of the challenging, 2012 test target.

With adult and child occupant categories also becoming increasingly strict in 2010 and 2012, vehicles now need to achieve excellent results in all four categories to merit a 5-star rating.

In 2009, the iQ, Avensis and Prius all achieved the same maximum rating.