The latest Australian-made car to score a maximum five star safety rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), is GM Holden’s VE Omega Sportwagon.

Being packed with safety features no-doubt helped the Sportwagon achieve the five star rating.

Standard safety features found across the VE Sportwagon range including six airbags, rear park assist and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) which incorporates Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Electronic Brake Assist (EBA) and Traction Control System (TCS).

The Sportwagon range also has a steering column shroud energy absorber that helps to reduce driver knee injuries. The Omega model features a passenger seat-belt reminder.

“As a family car there should be no compromise in safety and the ANCAP endorsement is a very clear indication that with Sportwagon there is no such thing,” said GM Holden Chairman and Managing Director Mark Reuss.

In addition to the petrol powered range, ANCAP’s five star safety rating will also be applied to VE Commodore Omega sedans that are converted to dual fuel LPG.

GM Holden has committed to making the passenger seat-belt reminder feature standard across the VE range from mid-2009 production.