GENESIS - the new luxury arm of Hyundai - has scored top marks in the latest Euro NCAP crash tests with its G80 saloon and GV80 SUV models being awarded five star ratings.

With head, chest and centre airbags, the GV80 scored full points for side impact protection, and the G80 is only a fraction of a point behind.

Both cars also get full scores for child occupant protection and provide a full array of driver assistance systems to help prevent accidents in the first place.

The GV80's pedestrian protection is some way behind that of the G80 with its active hood, but is enough to secure a five-star rating.

Other vehicles evaluated in the latest round of tests were the Citroen C4 and the BMW 4 Series coupe and convertible.

The C4 and the electric e-C4 gained four star ranking with performance in adult occupant protection, pedestrian protection and safety assistance failing to break the five-star threshold.

The first offering from the newly-formed Stellantis group to be rated by Euro NCAP, the car was tested with the standard equipment available on the regular C4 and ë-C4. This included the AEB front crash prevention system for cars and pedestrians, but not the cyclist functionality that is only offered as an optional add-on.

The BMW 4 Series Convertible and 4 Series Coupe both achieved five stars. The two cars borrow heavily from the 3 Series, rated by Euro NCAP in 2019.

Some tests have been carried over from the 3 Series but, in addition, extra tests have been done to ensure that the safety is at the same 2019 five-star level.

Michiel van Ratingen, secretary general of Euro NCAP, said: "These remain difficult times for the car industry, with the pandemic and semiconductor shortage presenting big challenges.

"Still, Genesis has managed to bring two cars to the market which offer excellent, all-round robust safety performance. Citroen chalked up a respectable four-star rating for the new C4 models, but still left us with the impression that with some more careful engineering it could have been much better."