Subaru Forester 1998 News

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 VEHICLESSubaru Forester 97-02Honda CR-V 97-01Ford Explorer 01-05Mercedes-BenzM-Class 98-05Mitsubishi Pajero 00-06Jeep Cherokee 01-04Ford Transit 01-06Holden Commodore 02-06Mazda6 02-06Subaru Liberty 99-03WORST PERFORMING VEHICLESDaihatsu Rocky 85-98Toyota Landcruiser 82-89Holden Rodeo 89-95Subaru Brumby 82-92Suzuki Mighty Boy 85-88Toyota Hiace 87-89Toyota Hiace 90-95Daihatsu Handivan 82-90Holden Scurry/Suzuki Carry 82-00Toyota Hiace 82-86 LIGHT CARSBEST PERFORMERSMazda 121 97-02Holden Barina 01-06Volkswagen Polo 96-00Daihatsu Sirion 96-04Toyota Echo 99-05WORST PERFORMERSHyundai Getz 02-06Suzuki Alto 85-00Daihatsu Mira 90-96Subaru Sherpa 89-92Mitsubishi Mirage 82-88SMALL CARSBEST PERFORMERSVolkswagen Golf 99-04Mazda3 03-06Peugeot 306 94-01Volkswagen Golf 04-06Peugeot 307 01-06WORST PERFORMERSMitsubishi Cordia 83-87Nissan Exa 83-86Nissan NX 91-96Hyundai Excel 86-90Honda Civic 84-87MEDIUM CARSBEST PERFORMERSMazda6 02-06Subaru Liberty 99-03BMW 5- Series 96-03Saab 9000 86-97Saab 9-3 94-02WORST PERFORMERSMitsubishi Starion 82-87Holden Camira 82-89Toyota Corona 82-88Nissan Bluebird 82-86Nissan Pintara 89-92LARGE CARSBEST PERFORMERSHolden Commodore 02-06Ford Falcon 98-02Ford Falcon 02-06Holden Commodore 97-02Mitsubishi Magna 03-06WORST PERFORMERSToyota Supra 82-90Holden Commodore 82-88Ford Falcon 82-88Nissan Skyline 83-88Mitsubishi Magna 86-90LARGE 4WDBEST PERFORMERSFord Explorer 01-05Mercedes M-Class 98-05Nissan Patrol 98-04Nissan Patrol 88-97Toyota Landcruiser 99-06WORST PERFORMERSToyota Landcruiser 82-89Nissan Patrol 82-87Toyota Landcruiser 90-97Range Rover 96-02Jeep Cherokee 96-99PEOPLE-MOVERSBEST PERFORMERSMitsubishi Nimbus 99-03Kia Carnival 99-06Toyota Tarago 91-99Honda Odyssey 95-00Nissan Serena 92-95WORST PERFORMERSMitsubishi Starwagon 83-86Toyota Tarago 83-89Mitsubishi Starwagon 87-93Mazda MPV 94-99Mitsubishi Starwagon 95-98