Car of the Year 2004 - Safety award

Winner
Renault

Renault sets the standard other manufacturers aspire to. It now has five models with five-star Euro NCAP crash test ratings. All the other makes combined can muster six.

The Laguna family car was the first model to achieve the coveted fifth star, and was soon followed by the Megane hatchback and the Vel Satis executive car. Since Renault picked up last year’s Safety Award, the Scenic and Espace have joined this impressive list.

You might expect the latest designs to perform impressively. What may not be expected is that Renault’s older models aren’t far behind. Even those which haven’t had the maximum score pick up four stars.

The company’s approach to safety doesn’t begin and end with lots of airbags and a stiff bodyshell. Renault continues to run its road safety website, Safety Matters (www.safety matters.renault.co.uk) as part of its international Safety for All programme. Aimed at children aged between 7 and 11, their parents and teachers, the site has been developed with the help of the Department for Transport, and the Local Authority Road Safety Officers’ Association. Over 15,000 UK primary schools have been given free resources under the scheme.


Highly commended
Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme)
Euro RAP (European Road Assessment Programme)