SUVs have traditionally fared poorly in safety tests but a majority of the new-generation compact soft-roaders have scored at least four stars in the Euro NCAP tests, with a few, like the Volkswagen Tiguan and Land Rover Freelander/LR2, even getting the coveted five star rating.

In its latest round of testing, Nissan’s X-Trail has achieved a four star rating for adult, child and occupant protection. It lost some points because of injuries to passenger legs and the driver’s neck during frontal impacts.

As for pedestrians, the compact SUV managed only two stars out of a maximum five because of the vehicle’s bonnet design, which offers no protection for a pedestrian’s legs or head.