HYUNDAI is celebrating news of its fourth consecutive model achieving a maximum five-star safety rating.

The ix20 compact people carrier follows on from stablemates the i20 supermini, i30 hatchback and ix35 crossover to be awarded top marks by independent vehicle assessment organisation Euro NCAP.

The model received a class-leading score of 85 per cent in the ‘child occupant protection' category, performing well in both the 18-month-old and three-year-old assessments, while in the adult occupant and pedestrian categories, it also attained competitive scores.

Hyundai's European chief Allan Rushforth said: "The ix20's five-star rating further demonstrates Hyundai's commitment to the highest levels of safety for our customers.  Add to that a very generous standard specification, a range of efficient engines, and the assurance of our unrivalled Five Year Triple Care, and the ix20 becomes a very appealing package."

Since its launch in November 2010, the ix20 has proved very popular in Europe, receiving nearly 32.000 orders by the end of last month.

Also receiving a five-star rating, less than a year after its launch, is the Mitsubishi ASX compact crossover.