The Ford Mustang's star is on the rise, with the facelifted pony car elevating its underwhelming crash-test rating.

However, even with the addition of automated emergency braking and lane departure assistance in the 2018 model, the iconic American coupe has only achieved a below-average three-star result from independent safety authority, EuroNCAP.

While EuroNCAP's secretary general, Michiel van Ratingen, complemented Ford on improving the Mustang's safety rating, it has yet to be confirmed whether the three-star result will be transferred to ANCAP scores as the local crash test body is still working with Ford Australia to determine final specifications and whether the safety systems will be fitted on right-hand drive models.

The Mustang wasn't the only under achiever in the latest round of crash tests, with the Honda Civic hatch scoring a four-star rating as a result of poor child protection in the back seat.

But there was a host of new five-star cars revealed, including the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia that will be sold in Australia as the next-generation Holden Commodore from 2018, along with the Hyundai i30 hatch, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio SUV and Volkswagen Arteon.

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