Euro NCAP's best-performing cars 2011
* Find out the worst of 2011, too
* Nissan Leaf is safest electric car
Safety body Euro NCAP has revealed 2011's top-performing cars in its crash-test ratings.
Best by category
The following cars were named as category winners. They were all awarded a five-star crash-test rating, but also received high scores in each of Euro NCAP's four areas of assessment: adult protection, child protection, pedestrian protection and safety assist.
The top-achieving cars by category:
• Small 44 category: Audi Q3
• Supermini category: Chevrolet Aveo
• Small family category: Ford Focus
• Small MPV category: Mercedes-Benz B-Class
• Large family category: Volvo V60
Electric cars
Euro NCAP also carried out its first tests on electric cars. Electric cars are exposed to the same tests as conventionally powered counterparts, with additional attention paid to battery integrity after a crash.
The best-performing electric car tested was the Nissan Leaf, which was the first electric vehicle to receive the organisation's five-star overall rating.
Euro NCAP rewarded several car makers for safety technology that is not yet included in its rating scheme. The Ford Focus scored points for being offered with optional Active City Stop, Driver Alert Forward Alert and Lane Keeping Aid. The Mercedes B-Class and Volvo V60 were rewarded for Collision Prevention Assist and City Safety respectively; both are systems that brake the car automatically if a collision looks imminent.
The poorest result of the year was recorded by the Dacia Duster, which received a crash-test rating of just three Euro NCAP stars.
Pete Barden
