Next Green Car Awards 2011

• City-car
• Supermini
• S-Family
• L-Family
• Estate
• Exec
• MPV
• Crossover
• Next Gen
• Gold

Welcome to the Next Green Car Awards 2011, the most scientifically based Next Green Car Awards in the UK.

Next Green Car uses its unique Green Car Rating to rank the greenest new cars to come to market in 2011.

Eligible cars are selected for their low Green Car Rating, level of innovation, value, drive experience and design.

Family Estate Awards 2011

WINNER: Ford Focus Estate 1.6 TDCi – CO2: 109 g/km– GCR: 32
Packed with a wealth of intuitive technologies, the Focus Estate offers an exciting and fun drive, one that compares well with its hatch sibling and better than most of its competitors. The new 1.6 TDCi 95 bhp Edge diesel engine gives a combined fuel economy of 67.3 mpg and emits only 109 gCO2/km – placing it in VED band B and costing just £20 annually. With a well equipped interior, the car is good value all round. From £18,095; Available now.

NGC verdict: "Packed with a wealth of kit, the new Focus Estate offers great handling, is highly practical, has excellent fuel economy, and compares well with its hatch sibling."

COMMENDED: Peugeot 508 SW 1.6 e-HDi – CO2: 110g/km – GCR: 32
The new 508 SW estate combines practicality with superb efficiency. CO2 emission of 110 g/km and a combined fuel efficiency of 65.6 mpg are particularly attractive, especially for an estate car. The new 508 is powered by Peugeot's most efficient e-HDi engine, producing 112 bhp which enables 0-60 mph in 11.9 seconds and a maximum speed of 120 mph. The interior is well equipped and finished to a high standard. From £20,075 OTR. Available now.

COMMENDED: Volvo V60 1.6 DRIVe – CO2: 119 g/km – GCR: 34
The Volvo V60 DRIVe Sportwagen with 1.6 diesel ES engine is the cleanest version in the new V60 range. At 119 gCO2/km and 62.8 average mpg, it is capable of travelling for up to 932 miles on a single tank of fuel. As well as impressive efficiency, it has a spacious and comfortable interior, which offers adequate features and extra. There are a wealth of standard and optional extra safety options, as you'd expect on a Volvo. From £24,670 OTR; Available now.

Executive Awards 2011

WINNER: BMW 520d EfficientDynamics – CO2: 119 g/km – GCR: TBC
Following the success of the EfficientDynamics 3-series, when BMW releases the 520d in September, it will be the greenest in the 5-series range. Assisted by start-stop, an Optimum Gearshift Indicator, regenerative braking and improved aerodynamics, the new 520d emits just 119 gCO2/km with a combined fuel consumption of 62.8 mpg. That said, it can still deliver 184 bhp and is capable of 0-62 mph in 8.2 seconds. From £30,435. Available Sept 2011.

NGC verdict: "As BMW's greenest 5-Series, the 520d EfficientDynamics continues to reign supreme in the executive class, combining low emissions with an impressive drive."

Volvo S60 1.6 DRIVe – CO2: 114 g/km – GCR: 32
The executive S60 DRIVe has CO2 emissions of just 114 g/km, placing itself firmly as one of the best in its class with a combined fuel consumption of 65.7 mpg. The 1.6 115 PS diesel model with 6-speed manual gearbox accelerates to 62 mph in 10.9 seconds and has a top speed of 121 mph. Although the S60 DRIVe will not qualify for Congestion Charge exemption, it has a 13% BIK rate, making it a popular company car choice. From £19,075 OTR; Available now.

Audi A6 Saloon 2.0 TDI Start-Stop – CO2: 129 g/km – GCR: 35
Of the A6's three diesel engines, the 2.0 TDI (177 PS) manual is the most efficient, capable of 57.6 mpg (combined) and with CO2 emissions of just 129 g/km. Performance is also high with 0-62 mph in 8.7 seconds and a top speed of 142 mph. Light-weighting, power steering and wider gear ratios have been used across the range. For its BIK rate, image and class, the new A6 is likely to be popular in the business fleet market. From £30,145; Available Nov 2011.

Next: MPV and Crossover winners >>

© Next Green Car 2011