In the tests, the BMW 3 Series, Hyundai i30, Mazda CX-5 and Peugeot 208 have received Euro NCAP’s maximum five star rating.

The BMW 3 Series in particular achieved a commendable 78% in pedestrian protection, a good result for a compact executive car with no active bonnet, says Euro NCAP. The Peugeot 208 scored 61% for pedestrian protection, only just clearing the 2012 five-star threshold of 60%. The Mazda CX-5 scored 64% and the Hyundai i30 67%. In both side impact tests – the side barrier and the pole test – the Mazda CX-5 scored maximum points, the only car of the latest release to do so. By contrast, the i30 showed weak protection of the chest in the side pole test, although its score for child occupant protection was the highest in this round of tests.

The Mazda CX-5 achieved five stars and, together with the BMW 3 Series, offers an Autonomous Emergency Braking System (AEBs). Such systems act independently of the driver to stop the car, or to reduce its speed, if a collision is imminent.

Dr Michiel van Ratingen, secretary general of Euro NCAP, said: ‘If all cars were fitted with AEB systems, many crashes could be mitigated or avoided altogether on European roads. The Mazda CX-5, which has AEB fitted largely as standard equipment in Europe, is therefore a good example for other manufacturers to follow as Euro NCAP intends to assess AEB in future testing procedures.’

In addition Audi has received the Euro NCAP Advanced reward for its “” technology, the second such reward given to the German car maker. The Audi pre sense front plus technology is available on the Audi A6, which achieved 5 stars in 2011, and can detect vehicles ahead which the car is likely to hit unless action is taken by the driver.