Rating accidental heroes

The figures, released this week, show that of 349 vehicles tested there were 26 deemed to have performed “significantly better than average”.

The ratings are produced by the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) with help from the RACV, TAC and VicRoads.

The ratings are based on the MUARC team's analysis of more than 3.2 million car crashes in Australia and New Zealand between 1986 and 2006.

That means that unlike the ANCAP testing, which is done under control conditions in a special testing facility, the Used Car Safety Ratings are based on real world accidents.

The survey rates vehicles in five marks: significantly better than average; better than average; average; worse than average; and significantly worse than average.

The ratings expose the myth that larger cars are safer in an accident with bigger cars putting occupants at a greater risk of serious injury in an accident.

Small and medium sized cars fared the best with the smallest category offering up nine cars with the eight medium sized cars pulling the top result.

Once again large cars fared the worst with only the 2002-06 Holden Commodore awarded the significantly better than average honour.

The Subaru Forester 1997-2002 model was the best performer outright in the survey, just ahead of another compact four-wheel-driver, the 1997-2001 Honda CR-V.

Light cars fared badly with none achieving the top rating and only three scoring a better than average mark.

Also performing poorly were commercial vehicles, both vans and utes. Only the Ford Transit van scored better than average across the two categories. 

BEST PERFORMING VEHICLES

Subaru Forester 97-02

Honda CR-V 97-01

Ford Explorer 01-05

Mercedes-Benz

M-Class 98-05

Mitsubishi Pajero 00-06

Jeep Cherokee 01-04

Ford Transit 01-06

Holden Commodore 02-06

Mazda6 02-06

Subaru Liberty 99-03

WORST PERFORMING VEHICLES

Daihatsu Rocky 85-98

Toyota Landcruiser 82-89

Holden Rodeo 89-95

Subaru Brumby 82-92

Suzuki Mighty Boy 85-88

Toyota Hiace 87-89

Toyota Hiace 90-95

Daihatsu Handivan 82-90

Holden Scurry/Suzuki Carry 82-00

Toyota Hiace 82-86 

LIGHT CARS

BEST PERFORMERS

Mazda 121 97-02

Holden Barina 01-06

Volkswagen Polo 96-00

Daihatsu Sirion 96-04

Toyota Echo 99-05

WORST PERFORMERS

Hyundai Getz 02-06

Suzuki Alto 85-00

Daihatsu Mira 90-96

Subaru Sherpa 89-92

Mitsubishi Mirage 82-88

SMALL CARS

BEST PERFORMERS

Volkswagen Golf 99-04

Mazda3 03-06

Peugeot 306 94-01

Volkswagen Golf 04-06

Peugeot 307 01-06

WORST PERFORMERS

Mitsubishi Cordia 83-87

Nissan Exa 83-86

Nissan NX 91-96

Hyundai Excel 86-90

Honda Civic 84-87

MEDIUM CARS

BEST PERFORMERS

Mazda6 02-06

Subaru Liberty 99-03

BMW 5- Series 96-03

Saab 9000 86-97

Saab 9-3 94-02

WORST PERFORMERS

Mitsubishi Starion 82-87

Holden Camira 82-89

Toyota Corona 82-88

Nissan Bluebird 82-86

Nissan Pintara 89-92

LARGE CARS

BEST PERFORMERS

Holden Commodore 02-06

Ford Falcon 98-02

Ford Falcon 02-06

Holden Commodore 97-02

Mitsubishi Magna 03-06

WORST PERFORMERS

Toyota Supra 82-90

Holden Commodore 82-88

Ford Falcon 82-88

Nissan Skyline 83-88

Mitsubishi Magna 86-90

LARGE 4WD

BEST PERFORMERS

Ford Explorer 01-05

Mercedes M-Class 98-05

Nissan Patrol 98-04

Nissan Patrol 88-97

Toyota Landcruiser 99-06

WORST PERFORMERS

Toyota Landcruiser 82-89

Nissan Patrol 82-87

Toyota Landcruiser 90-97

Range Rover 96-02

Jeep Cherokee 96-99

PEOPLE-MOVERS

BEST PERFORMERS

Mitsubishi Nimbus 99-03

Kia Carnival 99-06

Toyota Tarago 91-99

Honda Odyssey 95-00

Nissan Serena 92-95

WORST PERFORMERS

Mitsubishi Starwagon 83-86

Toyota Tarago 83-89

Mitsubishi Starwagon 87-93

Mazda MPV 94-99

Mitsubishi Starwagon 95-98