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√Choosing the best used car to keep you safe

Real-world crash results in Australia have helped experts rank the best and worst used cars. Choosing wisely could cost or save a life, regardless of your budget.

It’s one of the biggest challenges facing road safety experts – our youngest and least experienced drivers can’t afford new cars with the latest crash protection and safety aids. It’s one of the big reasons they are over-represented in fatal and serious injury crashes.

However, a landmark study into real-world crashes in Australia aims to compile and compare data on fatalities and serious injuries – and rank used cars from best to worst.

It means that, even when buying a used car on a budget, choosing the right one could cost or save your life.

The latest instalment of the study is based on the real-world results of more than nine million crashes in Australia and New Zealand.

The difference between the best and worst cars in a particular vehicle category can make you up three times safer, while the used cars that topped the charts in the 2022 Used Car Safety Ratings are up to eight times safer.

Just 55 used cars from a field of 389 are given a five-star safety rating, and 59 scored ‘very poor’, in the latest ratings compiled by the Monash University Accident Research Centre in Melbourne.

At the top of the field, only 13 used cars are given the ‘Safer Pick’ status.

“What price do you put on your life?”, the head of the research team that compiles the ratings, Professor Stuart Newstead from the Monash University Accident Research Centre, told Drive.

“This is about looking at the vehicle fleet and seeing how they compare. A mid-sized sedan or a mid-sized SUV is usually a good pick,” he said, noting that larger and heavier cars often better protect occupants in severe impacts.

The Used Car Safety Ratings are different from the scores from the Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) because they are compiled using results from real-world road crashes – which involve injuries and deaths – while the ANCAP star ratings are based on laboratory crash tests and an assessment of a car’s crash-avoidance safety systems.

“We base it in Australia on the real-world evidence,” said Professor Newstead.

“It’s a different concept to ANCAP but we are doing the same thing.”

This year is the 25th time the ratings have been compiled and, for the first time, autonomous emergency braking must be fitted to a used car to qualify for the Monash five-star safety rating.

The results do not include cars with a current ANCAP rating, because that information is already readily available online – and because most vehicles introduced in the past six years or so have five-star scores.

The study has previously been criticised because the results could be skewed by the number of examples sold of a particular model – or two seemingly identical cars have different safety results under the Monash method.

Professor Newstead says these anomalies occur because there can be unseen changes that affect a car’s performance in a crash.

“Generally you see improvement from one model to the next. Occasionally a model series variant will get worse than the one before. And you have to find out why that happens. There is a lot of quality checking,” he said.

“People will ask, and sometimes you don’t know why. It might be a structural change under the surface.

“Taking weight out of a car can compromise safety. That has happened with the Suzuki Swift.”

Professor Newstead said subtle changes during a model series – from the Holden Commodore ute from the VU to the VY – can highlight previously unseen changes.

“In that car, it’s the adoption of airbags – the vast majority of utes didn’t have the side airbag fitted – and improvements to the structure. The body structure was improved over time with a front-wheel deflector and a stronger B-pillar (roof pillar).

Professor Newstead told Drive there are many things to monitor on a yearly basis and trends sometimes take time to emerge, even on top sellers such as the Toyota Camry.

“Every vehicle is re-rated every year, relative to every other vehicle in the fleet. That is important. It allows you to see how we have improved through the years of manufacture, and the changes in technology.

“Sometimes car companies will sneak out (install) a bit of safety technology … but not fit it to all models. They will fit it in one or two models, and leave it out of everything else.”

Funding for the used-car safety ratings comes from governments and state motoring bodies.

Professor Newstead, who has worked at MUARC for 30 years, said he heads a five-person team on the annual project.

Looking at the top-rated cars, he told Drive the best performing brands are usually from Japan and Europe.

“The cars doing the best all-round are often the better-quality small cars. Medium cars perform well but we have less and less of them (due to the new-car buyer shift from sedans to SUVs.”

Four cars from Audi were given the top rating, followed by Toyota and Subaru each with two, among eight brands who performed best in the 2022 rankings.

However, there are winners and losers in almost every used-car category, from city hatchbacks to large SUVs.

“These ratings are particularly important for people shopping in the secondhand market for older vehicles. There are some disastrous decisions they can make. We target these to young people,” Professor Newstead said.

The 13 used cars with top safety ratings 2022 (listed alphabetically):

  • Audi A3 (2007-2012)
  • Audi A4 (2008-2015)
  • Audi A5 (2007-2016)
  • Audi Q5 (2009-2016)
  • BMW 1 Series (2011-2019)
  • Honda Civic (2016-2020)
  • Mercedes E-Class W212 (2009-2016)
  • Nissan Pathfinder (2013-2020)
  • Subaru Impreza (2016-2020)
  • Subaru Liberty/Outback (20092014) Having Eyesight technology paid off for them.
  • Toyota Camry (2017-2020). PRemium European brands or the better established Japanese makers that really do well.
  • Toyota Prius V (2012-2020)
  • Volkswagen Golf Mk7 (2013-2020)

Used Car Safety Ratings 2022 complete results:

CITY CARS

  • Daihatsu Charade (1992-2000) One star
  • Daihatsu Sirion/Storia (1998-2004) One star
  • Ford Fiesta (2004-2008) One star
  • Ford Fiesta (2009-2018) Two stars
  • Ford Festiva (1994-2001) One star
  • Holden Barina (1995-2000) One star
  • Holden Barina (2005-2011) One star
  • Holden Barina (2011-2018) Two stars
  • Holden Barina XC/Combo (2001-2012) One star
  • Honda City (2009-2013) Four stars
  • Honda Jazz/Fit (2002-2008) Two stars
  • Honda Jazz (2008-2014) Two stars
  • Hyundai Getz/TB (2002-2011) One star
  • Hyundai i20 (2010-2015) Two stars
  • Kia Rio (2000-2005) One star
  • Kia Rio (2005-2011) One star
  • Kia Rio (2011-2016) Two stars
  • Mazda 121 Metro/Demio (1997-2002) One star
  • Mazda 2/Demio (2002-2007) One star
  • Mazda2/Demio (2007-2014) Two stars
  • Mazda2/Demio (2014-2022) Two stars
  • Mitsubishi Colt RG (2004-2011) One star
  • Nissan Micra (2011-2016) One star
  • Peugeot 206 (1999-2007) One star
  • Suzuki Swift (2005-2010) One star
  • Suzuki Swift (2011-2017) One star
  • Toyota Echo (1995-2005) One star
  • Toyota Yaris/Vitz (2005-2011) One star
  • Toyota Yaris/Vitz (2011-2020) Two stars
  • Volkswagen Polo V (2010-2017) Four stars

SMALL CARS

  • Audi A3/S3 (2004-2013) Five stars
  • Audi A3/RS3/S3 (2013-2020) Five stars Safer Pick
  • BMW 1 Series (2004-2013) Four stars
  • BMW 1 Series (2011-2019) Five stars Safer Pick
  • Daewoo Lanos (1997-2003) One star
  • Daewoo Nubira (1997-2003) One star
  • Ford Focus (2002-2005) Two stars
  • Ford Focus (2005-2012) Three stars
  • Ford Focus (2012-2018) Three stars
  • Ford Laser/Mazda 323 (1999-2003) One star
  • Holden Astra (1998-2006) One star
  • Holden Astra (2004-2009) Two stars
  • Holden Cruze (2009-2016) Three stars
  • Holden Viva (2005-2009) Two stars
  • Honda Civic (1996-2000) One star
  • Honda Civic (2001-2005) One star
  • Honda Civic (2006-2011) Three stars
  • Honda Civic (2012-2016) Three stars
  • Honda Civic (2016-2020) Five stars Safer Pick
  • Honda Integra (1993-2001) One star
  • Hyundai Accent (2000-2006) One star
  • Hyundai Accent (2011-2019) Three stars
  • Hyundai Lantra (1996-2000) One star
  • Hyundai Elantra (2000-2006) One star
  • Hyundai Elantra (2006-2011) Two stars
  • Hyundai Elantra (2011-2015) Two stars
  • Hyundai Excel/Accent (1995-2000) One star
  • Hyundai i30 (2007-2012) Three stars
  • Hyundai i30 (2012-2017) Three stars
  • Kia Cerato (2004-2008) One star
  • Kia Cerato (2009-2013) Two stars
  • Kia Cerato (2013-2018) Three stars
  • Mazda3 (2003-2009) Three stars
  • Mazda3 (2009-2013) Three stars
  • Mazda3 (2013-2019) Four stars
  • Mercedes-Benz A Class (2012-2018) Five stars
  • Mercedes-Benz B Class (2012-2018) Five stars
  • Mitsubishi Lancer (2003-2007) One star
  • Mitsubishi Lancer (2007-2017) Three stars
  • Mitsubishi Lancer/Mirage (1996-2003) One star
  • Mitsubishi Lancer/Cedia (2002-2003) One star
  • Nissan 200SX/Silvia (1994-2002) One star
  • Nissan Pulsar (2000-2005) One star
  • Nissan Pulsar Sedan (2012-2017) Two stars
  • Nissan Tiida (2006-2013) Two stars
  • Peugeot 306 (1994-2001) Two stars
  • Peugeot 307 (2001-2009) Four stars
  • Peugeot 308 (2008-2013) Three stars
  • Subaru Impreza (1993-2000) One star
  • Subaru Impreza (2001-2007) Three stars
  • Subaru Impreza (2007-2011) Four stars
  • Subaru Impreza/XV (2012-2016) Four stars
  • Subaru Impreza/XV (2016-2020) Five stars Safer Pick
  • Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86 (2012-2020) Three stars
  • Suzuki Baleno/Cultus (1995-2002) One star
  • Suzuki Liana (2001-2007) Two stars
  • Toyota Corolla (2001-2007) Two stars
  • Toyota Corolla (2007-2013) Two stars
  • Toyota Corolla (2012-2019) Three stars
  • Toyota Corolla/Allex (1998-2001) One star
  • Toyota MR2 (1991-2000) Two stars
  • Toyota Prius 2 (2003-2009) Three stars
  • Toyota Prius 3 (2009-2016) Five stars
  • Toyota Prius V (2012-2020) Five stars Safer Pick
  • Volkswagen Golf/Bora (1999-2004) Three stars
  • Volkswagen Golf/Jetta (2004-2009) Three stars
  • Volkswagen Golf/Jetta (2010-2013) Four stars
  • Volkswagen Golf 7 (2013-2020) Five stars Safer Pick
  • Volvo S40/V40 (1997-2004) Three stars

MEDIUM CARS

  • Audi A4 (1995-2001) One star
  • Audi A4 (2001-2008) Four stars
  • Audi A4/S4/RS4/Allroad (2008-2015) Five stars Safer Pick
  • Audi A5/S5/RS5 (2007-2016) Five stars Safer Pick
  • BMW 3 Series (1999-2006) Two stars
  • BMW 3 Series (2005-2013) Four stars
  • BMW 3 Series (2012-2019) Two stars
  • Ford Mondeo (1995-2001) Two stars
  • Ford Mondeo (2007-2015) Four stars
  • Holden Vectra (1997-2003) One star
  • Holden Vectra (2003-2005) Three stars
  • Honda Accord (1999-2002) Three stars
  • Honda Accord (2003-2007) Three stars
  • Honda Accord (2008-2013) Four stars
  • Honda Accord Euro (2003-2008) Three stars
  • Honda Accord Euro (2008-2015) Three stars
  • Hyundai Sonata (1998-2001) One star
  • Lexus IS (1999-2004) Three stars
  • Lexus IS (2005-2013) Four stars
  • Mazda 626 (1998-2002) One star
  • Mazda6 (2002-2007) Two stars
  • Mazda6 (2008-2011) Three stars
  • Mercedes-Benz C Class W202 (1994-2000) Two stars
  • Mercedes-Benz C Class W203 (2000-2010) Two stars
  • Mercedes-Benz C Class W204/C204 (2007-2015) Four stars
  • Mercedes Benz C Class W205/S205/C205/A205 (2014-2020) Five stars
  • Mercedes-Benz CLK C209/A209 (2003-2009) Four stars
  • Saab 900/9-3 (1994-2002) Two stars
  • Subaru Liberty/Outback (1999-2003) Two stars
  • Subaru Liberty/Outback (2003-2009) Three stars
  • Subaru Liberty/Outback/Exiga (2009-2014) Five stars Safer Pick
  • Subaru Liberty/Outback (2014-2020) Four stars
  • Toyota Camry (1997-2002) One star
  • Toyota Camry (2002-2006) Two stars
  • Toyota Camry (2006-2011) Four stars
  • Toyota Camry (2011-2017) Four stars
  • Toyota Camry (2017-2020) Five stars Safer Pick
  • Toyota Avalon (2000-2005) Two stars
  • Toyota Aurion (2006-2012) Four stars
  • Toyota Aurion (2012-2017) Three stars
  • Volkswagen Passat (2006-2015) Four stars

LARGE CARS

  • BMW 5 Series (1996-2003) Three stars
  • BMW 5 Series (2003-2010) Four stars
  • Ford AU Falcon (1998-2002) One star
  • Ford BA-BF Falcon (2002-2008) Two stars
  • Ford FG-FGX Falcon (2008-2016) Four stars
  • Ford AU Fairlane/LTD (1999-2002) One star
  • Ford BA-BF Fairlane/LTD (2003-2007)
  • Holden VT-VX Commodore (1997-2002) One star
  • Holden VY-VZ Commodore (2002-2007) Two stars
  • Holden VE Commodore (2006-2013) Four stars
  • Holden VF Commodore (2013-) Five stars
  • Holden WH Statesman/Caprice (1999-2003) One star
  • Holden WK-WL Statesman/Caprice (2003-2006) Two stars
  • Holden WM-WN Statesman/Caprice (2006-2016) Four stars
  • Mercedes-Benz E Class W210 (1996-2002) Three stars
  • Mercedes-Benz E Class W211 (2002-2009) Five stars
  • Mercedes-Benz E Class W212/C207/A207) Five stars Safer Pick
  • Mitsubishi Magna/Verada (1996-2003) One star
  • Mitsubishi Magna/Verada (2003-2005) One star
  • Mitsubishi 380 (2005-2008) Two stars
  • Nissan Maxima (2000-2002) Two stars

SMALL SUVS

  • BMW X1 (2010-2015) Five stars
  • Holden Trax (2013-2020) Three stars
  • Hyundai ix35 (2010-2015) Three stars
  • Hyundai Tucson (2004-2010) Two stars
  • Hyundai Tucson (2015-2020) Four stars
  • Jeep Compass (2007-2017) Five stars
  • Kia Sportage (1998-2003) One star
  • Kia Sportage (2010-2015) Four stars
  • Mazda CX-3 (2015-2020) Four stars
  • Mitsubishi ASX (2010-2016) Three stars
  • Nissan Dualis (2007-2013) Four stars
  • Nissan Qashqai (2014-2020) Three stars
  • Suzuki SX4 (2007-2014) One star
  • Volkswagen Tiguan (2008-2016) Four stars

MEDIUM SUVS

  • Audi Q5/SQ5 (2009-2016) Five stars Safer Pick
  • BMW X3 (2010-2017) Five stars
  • Ford Kuga (2013-2016) Five stars
  • Ford Territory (2004-2010) Four stars
  • Ford Territory (2011-2016) Five stars
  • Ford Escape (2001-2006) Two stars
  • Ford Escape (2006-2013) Two stars
  • Holden Captiva (2006-2018) Three stars
  • Holden Jackaroo (1998-2003) Two stars
  • Honda CR-V (1997-2001) Two stars
  • Honda CR-V (2002-2006) Three stars
  • Honda CR-V (2007-2012) Four stars
  • Honda CR-V (2012-2017) Four stars
  • Hyundai Santa Fe (2000-2006) Three stars
  • Hyundai Santa Fe (2006-2012) Four stars
  • Hyundai Santa Fe (2012-2018) Five stars
  • Jeep Cherokee (1996-2000) Two stars
  • Jeep Cherokee (2001-2007) Four stars
  • Jeep Wrangler (2007-2018) Five stars
  • Kia Sportage (2015-2020) Four stars
  • Lexus RX (2009-2015) Five stars
  • Mazda CX-5 (2012-2017) Four stars
  • Mazda CX-7 (2006-2012) Four stars
  • Mazda Tribute (2001-2006) Two stars
  • Mazda Tribute (2006-2008) Two stars
  • Mitsubishi Challenger (1998-2006) Two stars
  • Mitsubishi Outlander (2003-2006) Two stars
  • Mitsubishi Outlander (2012-2020) Four stars
  • Mitsubishi Outlander (2006-2012) Five stars
  • Nissan Murano (2009-2015) Five stars
  • Nissan Pathfinder (1995-2005) Three stars
  • Nissan X-Trail (2001-2007) Two stars
  • Nissan X-Trail (2007-2014) Four stars
  • Nissan X-Trail (2014-2020) Three stars
  • Peugeot 4007 (2006-2012) Five stars
  • Subaru Forester (1997-2002) Two stars
  • Subaru Forester (2002-2008) Three stars
  • Subaru Forester (2008-2012) Four stars
  • Subaru Forester (2012-2018) Five stars
  • Subaru Tribeca (2006-2014) Five stars
  • Suzuki Grand Vitara (1998-2005) One star
  • Suzuki Grand Vitara (2005-2008) Two stars
  • Suzuki Grand Vitara (2008-2018) Four stars
  • Toyota Kluger (2003-2007) Three stars
  • Toyota Kluger (2007-2013) Five stars
  • Toyota Kluger (2013-2019) Five stars
  • Toyota RAV4 (1994-2000) One star
  • Toyota RAV4 (2001-2005) Two stars
  • Toyota RAV4 (2006-2012) Three stars
  • Toyota RAV4 (2013-2019) Four stars
  • Volvo XC60 (2009-2017) Five stars

LARGE SUVS

  • Audi Q7 (2006-2014) Five stars
  • BMX X5 (2001-2006) Five stars
  • BMW X5 (2007-2013) Five stars
  • Isuzu MU-X (2013-2020) Five stars
  • Jeep Grand Cherokee (2010-2020) Five stars
  • Kia Sorento (2003-2009) Three stars
  • Land Rover Discovery (1991-2002) Three stars
  • Land Rover Discovery 4 (2009-2016) Five stars
  • Mazda CX-9 (2007-2015) Four stars
  • Mercedes-Benz ML W163 (1998-2005) Five stars
  • Mercedes-Benz ML/GL W164/X164 (2005-2011) Five stars
  • Mitsubishi Pajero (2000-2006) Four stars
  • Mitsubishi Pajero (2007-2020) Five stars
  • Nissan Pathfinder (2005-2013) Four stars
  • Nissan Pathfinder (2013-2020) Five stars Safer Pick
  • Nissan Patrol (1998-2016) Four stars
  • Toyota LandCruiser (1998-2007) Two stars
  • Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series (2007-2020) Three stars
  • Toyota Prado (1996-2002) Three stars
  • Toyota Prado (2002-2009) Four stars
  • Toyota Prado (2009-2020) Five stars
  • Volvo XC90 (2003-2015) Five stars

PEOPLE MOVERS

  • Honda Odyssey (1995-2000) Two stars
  • Honda Odyssey (2004-2009) Four stars
  • Kia Carnival (1999-2006) Three stars
  • Kia Carnival (2006-2011) Four stars
  • Kia Carnival (2014-2020) Five stars
  • Toyota Avensis (2001-2010) Three stars
  • Toyota Tarago (2000-2006) Three stars
  • Toyota Tarago (2006-2019) Four stars

COMMERCIAL VANS

  • Ford Transit (2001-2007) Four stars
  • Hyundai iLoad (2008-2020) Five stars
  • Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (1998-2006) Four stars
  • Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (2006-2018) Four stars
  • Mercedes-Benz Vito/Viano (2004-2015) Five stars
  • Mitsubishi Express (1994-2013) One star
  • Toyota HiAce/LiteAce (1996-2004) One star
  • Toyota HiAce (2005-2019) Four stars
  • Volkswagen Caravelle/Transporter/Multivan (2004-2015) Five stars
  • Volkswagen Caddy (2005-2020) Three stars

UTES

  • Ford AU Falcon (2000-2002) Two stars
  • Ford BA-BF Falcon (2003-2008) Three stars
  • Ford FG-FG-X Falcon (2008-2016) Four stars
  • Ford Courier/Mazda B-Series (1998-2002) Two stars
  • Ford Courier/Mazda B-Series (2003-2006) Two stars
  • Ford Ranger/Mazda BT50 (2006-2011) Three stars
  • Ford Ranger/Mazda BT50 (2011-2015) Five stars
  • Ford Ranger/Mazda BT50 (2015-2020) Five stars
  • Holden Colorado (2012-2020) Five stars
  • Holden VR-VS Commodore (1994-2000) One star
  • Holden VU Commodore (2000-2002) One star
  • Holden VY-VZ Commodore (2002-2007) Two stars
  • Holden VE Commodore (2007-2013) Four stars
  • Holden Rodeo (1999-2002) One star
  • Holden Rodeo (2003-2008) Two stars
  • Holden Colorado (2008-2011) Three stars
  • Isuzu D-Max (2008-2011) Three stars
  • Mitsubishi Triton (1996-2006) One star
  • Mitsubishi Triton (2006-2015) Three stars
  • Mitsubishi Triton (2015-2020) Five stars
  • Nissan Navara (1997-2005) Three stars
  • Nissan Navara (2005-2015) Four stars
  • Nissan Navara (2015-2020) Four stars
  • Toyota HiLux (1998-2002) Two stars
  • Toyota HiLux (2003-2004) Two stars
  • Toyota HiLux (2005-2015) Three stars
  • Toyota HiLux (2015-2019) Four stars
  • Volkswagen Amarok (2011-2020) Five stars

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