In the annual Euro NCAP test ratings the Chinese manufacturer’s first ever production car has scored the highest marks of any vehicle tested over the course of the year.

As well as scoring the highest marks of 2013 in the Euro New Car Assessement Programme (NCAP) crash tests, the Qoros has also become the first car developed in China to be awarded a five-star safety rating.

As Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP Secretary General, explained: “The Qoros 3 Sedan has received the official 2013 best-in-class honor and is the best performer of all the Small Family cars subjected to Euro NCAP’s crash tests in 2013. We congratulate Qoros for having achieved the highest safety record with the Qoros 3 Sedan, which becomes the first car developed in China to achieve the highest five stars at Euro NCAP’s tough crash test programme.”

Other best-of-class cars tested by NCAP over the course of the past year include the Renault ZOE, which became the highest-scoring vehicle in the Supermini electric car category.

In the large family car segment, the Lexus IS 300h scooped the top honors. The Kia Carens and Ford Tourneo Connect shared the small MPV award while the Jeep Cheroke was named safest small off-road 4×4 and the Maserati Ghibli the best-performing executive car of 2013.

The past year also saw NCAP update its crash tests with a greater focus on child occupant protection — including how easy it is to fit a child seat inside the cabin. The organization has also started testing companies’ intelligent speed assistant systems as part of the overall rating.