NCAP stars prestige Euros

But the Mazda CX-7 was a four-star disappointment despite a five-star ranking in Australia.  The BMW and Alfa both scored better than 90 per cent for occupant safety, and more than 80 per cent for child occupant protection, with the BMW also getting a perfect score for safety assist features.

"The BMW 5 series achieved the highest result in pedestrian protection with a respectable 78 per cent. The car has an active bonnet, so that when a pedestrian is struck, the bonnet is lifted from its position as a result, creating more space to absorb the energy that usually results in injury," says Michiel van Ratingen, secretary-general of Euro NCAP.

"The Alfa Romeo Giulietta is equipped with a reactive seat and head restraint offering good protection. The BMW seat and head restraint also provides good protection against whiplash injuries in the event of a rear impact."

The four-star Mazda CX-7 in Europe improves to a five-star car in Australia.  The difference in rankings comes down to a new scoring system for the European testing, which is tough on whiplash protection.

"While we're certainly aware of the news surrounding the Euro NCAP score for Mazda CX-7, all CX-7's sold here in Australia have a 5-star ANCAP rating and this has not changed," says Steve Maciver of Mazda Australia.

"ANCAP and EuroNCAP perform the same tests but use different scoring systems. Euro NCAP has recently added a whiplash component and if this car was tested in 2009 by Euro NCAP it would have received five stars.

"Mazda takes occupant safety extremely seriously and as such is working towards making improvements to ensure that the CX-7 meets Euro NCAP anti-whiplash testing requirements. We are confident that there will be no negative impact on sales and that buyers will continue to see its leading combination of style, safety and value."