The results for the Tesla saw the Model S gain a score of 82% and 77% for adult and child occupant protection, 66% for pedestrian protection and a 71% score for safety assistance, putting it on par with its key executive-class rivals.

Meanwhile the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer was given a score of 84% for adult protection, with 85% for child protection, 60% for pedestrian protection and 70% for safety assist.

The new Nissan Pulsar also performed well, with a score of 84% and 81% for adult and child occupant protection, 75% for pedestrian protection and 68% for safety assist.

And the Skoda Fabia scored 81% for both adult and child occupant protection, 69% for pedestrian protection and 69% for safety assist.

In contrast the Suzuki Celerio was given a figure of 61% for adult occupant protection, 74% for child occupant protection, 68% for pedestrian protection and 38% for safety assist.

Finally the Renault Megane Hatch scored 83% for adult occupant protection and 78% for child occupant protection, but only scored 60% for pedestrian protection and 56% for safety assist, giving its four-star rating. The latest result was actually a retest, with the model having only gained three stars earlier this year for not having its seat belt warning messages available in all languages.