THE tiny Mazda MX-5 sports car has shocked the car industry by achieving the highest ever score for pedestrian protection — even better than a Volvo with an airbag that pops up from under the bonnet.

The latest version of the world’s biggest selling roadster was tested by Australian authorities after initially receiving a poor score in overseas tests, which penalised it for lacking rear seatbelt reminders … even though it’s only a two-seater.

According to the Australasian New Car Assessment Program, the new MX-5 achieved a pedestrian protection rating of “good” -- scoring 33.72 out of a possible 36 points — in local tests. Its closest competitor is the pedestrian-airbag-equipped Volvo V40 with a score of 31.76.

The new MX-5 is equipped with special struts that lift the bonnet in milliseconds, once the car senses the front bumper has come into contact with a pedestrian.

The Mazda MX-5 also scored well (14.2 points out of 16) in the crucial offset frontal test which simulates a head-on crash at 64km/h.

The result is surprising because it is difficult for sports-cars to perform well in a crash due to their open top body, which is not as strong as a regular car design. Roof pillars add strength and reduce distortion in a crash.

“Roadsters present a design challenge for manufacturers in ensuring equivalent levels of occupant protection to conventional cars,” said ANCAP chief, James Goodwin.

“Their structures obviously differ so additional engineering elements are needed in order to provide the same levels of structural safety.”

The new Mazda MX-5 score five stars overall for safety; the previous model was rated as a four-star car.

This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling