KEY POINTS:
Airbags to protect the head in the latest round of car-crash testing have drawn praise from the Automobile Association.
Technical services general manager Stella Stocks said out of the 10 latest crash test results, nine cars had scored four or five stars for the level of protection they offered occupants in a crash.
The Mitsubishi Colt 2006, which has only front air bags as standard, was awarded three stars, the lowest in the test.
Ms Stocks said head-protecting airbags played an important part in protecting drivers and their passengers.
More vehicle manufacturers were fitting the safety devices as standard.
"Overall these results are good news for consumers," she said.
"It is encouraging that all but one of the vehicles in the most recent round of testing have a full complement of airbags."
Five stars were awarded to the Subaru Tribeca 2006, tested in Australia, and the Mercedes B Class and Lexus IS250, both tested in the European trial.
Four stars went to the Holden Viva, Nissan Maxima, Honda Odyssey passenger van, Mazda 3, Land Rover Discovery 3 and the Kia Carnival passenger van.
The Australian and European New Car Assessment Programme involved a series of tests including a frontal "offset" crash at 64 km/h and a side impact test at 50 km/h.
An optional pole test - where a vehicle travelling sideways at 29 km/h strikes a pole lined up with the driver's head - measures the effectiveness of head-protecting side airbags and can result in extra points being scored.
Previous tests conducted under the programme showed that without head-protecting side airbags, a fatal head injury was almost certain in that type of crash.
The cars' performances were determined on factors including how well the passenger compartment held its shape and the risk to crash-test dummies of chest, neck, head or leg injuries.
Bonus points for seat belt reminders were possible.
Stars were awarded in the test based on the car's performance out of a possible 37 points.
