BMW’s seventh-generation 5 Series has scooped a full five-star rating in Euro NCAP’s latest crash safety results, while the refreshed Fiat Doblò MPV scored just three.

BMW 5 Series has been awarded a full five-star rating by Euro NCAP.

The BMW was recognised for its good all-round performance in crash protection and avoidance tests as well as a strong 81% result for pedestrian safety, driven by its its standard-fit “Person Warning” system and active bonnet. Track tests also showed the autonomous braking system can effectively assist the driver in avoiding or mitigating critical rear-end crashes with other cars and pedestrians.

In contrast, the rating on Fiat’s 2015 Doblò facelift was said to reveal “the car’s true age and highlights the lack of ambition to compete on safety with other, more modern competitors in the segment.” The vehicle is also sold by the Opel and Vauxhall brands as the Combo, which has not been facelifted, but Euro NCAP highlighted Opel’s different focus.

Euro NCAP’s secretary general, Michiel van Ratingen, said: “Fiat’s line-up now features several cars that have been on the market for a long time and their safety is well behind the class leaders. Opel have made a clear decision not to implement the changes that Fiat made to get to a three-star rating, but instead have focused their attention on a complete new Combo, that is being co-developed with Opel’s new owners, PSA, and which Euro NCAP expects to test early next year. In this release, however, BMW has led the way with a new 5 Series that features lots of driver assistance systems which Euro NCAP believes will transform safety in the years to come.”