Buying New? Your Safest Choices

Euro NCAP they all scored a five-star rating and showed good scores in each of the four areas of assessment.

The top achievers in each category were:

• Small off-road 4x4 - Audi Q3
• Supermini - Chevrolet Aveo/Sonic
• Small family - Ford Focus
• Small MPV - Mercedes B-Class
• Large family - Volvo V60

Came close: Chevrolet Malibu, Mercedes M-Class, Toyota Yaris, Lexus CT200h, Opel Zafira Tourer, Hyundai ix20 and BMW X1.

Many winners

Electric vehicles were tested in 2011 for the first time; the Nissan Leaf was the first of its kind to rate five stars overall. The vehicle with the worst result was Dacia's Duster small SUV - three stars.

The Ford Ranger was the only bakkie tested in 2011 and scored highly in all areas, most notably pedestrian protection.

Several automakers were praised for safety features not yet included in the crash-protection rating scheme, such as the Ford Focus’ "active city stop", "driver alert" and lane-drift warning; the B-Class and Volvo V60’s "collision prevention assist" and "city safety" respectively were also commended.

Euro NCAP is setting tougher standards for 2012.