The 2016 Honda HR-V crossover has the highest overall safety score for government crash tests.

Federal New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) crash-test scores for the Fit-based HR-V were recently released, and the smallest Honda crossover did quite well.

It received a "5-Star Overall Vehicle Score"--the highest overall rating possible in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) program.

DON'T MISS: 2016 Honda HR-V Subcompact SUV Rated At 31 MPG Combined

In scoring for the individual crash tests, the HR-V received the maximum five stars in ares of side-crash testing, and four-stars in frontal and rollover testing.

The Honda's Federal crash-test scores put it in fairly good standing in the fast-growing small-crossover segment at the moment, though.

The Buick Encore and Chevrolet Trax twins both received the same 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score, while the Nissan Juke received a four-star overall score.

2016 Honda HR-V

2016 Honda HR-V

Several newer models--including the Fiat 500X, Jeep Renegade, and Mazda CX-3--have not been rated yet.

As existing crossover models grow in size, manufacturers are finding room to slot new, smaller models in below them.

ALSO SEE: 2015 Honda Fit Gets Highest Safety Rating From NHTSA

While the Juke and Encore arguably originated this segment, it has ballooned significantly in the last year with the introduction of more competitors.

The HR-V is based on the Fit subcompact, and is built alongside that model in Celaya, Mexico.

2016 Honda HR-V

2016 Honda HR-V

It's offered with just one engine option--a 1.8-liter four-cylinder that produces 138 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque.

There are also two transmission choices--a six-speed manual and CVT automatic--and the option for front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

MORE: 2015 Honda Fit: Early Models To Get Better Bumpers For Crash Safety Boost (Aug 2014)

The manual transmission is only available on front-wheel drive models, and that combination allows the HR-V to achieve an EPA-rated 28 mpg combined (25 mpg city, 34 mpg highway).

Models equipped with the CVT are rated at 31 mpg combined (28 mpg city, 35 mpg highway) with front-wheel drive, and 29 mpg combined (27 mpg city, 32 mpg highway) with all-wheel drive.

_______________________________________________

Follow GreenCarReports on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.