THE Peugeot 307 has been awarded a four-star safety Peugeot 307 in the latest Euro NCAP test. The 307 received a perfect score for its performance in the side impact tests and achieved 88 per cent overall, narrowly missing a five-star rating by just 2.5 points.

According to Peugeot, the high rating reflects the outstanding level of safety features in the 307. It has a strong structure designed to protect through progressive deformation in an accident, with a network of reinforcements and boxed cross-sections in the central door pillars, side rails, floor, roof and dash area keeping the passenger cell intact after impact.

The 307 is one of the first cars in its class to have six airbags as standard, including curtain airbags running the full length of the cabin to cushion front and rear passengers' heads in a side impact. The front seat passenger's airbag can be de-activated by a key lock in the centre console so that a rearward-facing child seat can be carried safely next to the driver.

There are three-point seatbelts for every passenger and force-limiting devices on the belts on the four outer seats prevent bruising from the webbing. The 307 is also one of the first cars in its class with active anti-whiplash front seat head restraints.

Standard active safety features include anti-lock brakes with an electronic brake force distributor, which automatically apportions stopping effort between the front and rear wheels for maximum effort.

The system also incorporates emergency brake assist, which guarantees maximum braking effort in an emergency stop regardless of the force applied to the pedal.