A new survey has announced the safest used cars in New Zealand based on research conducted over 15 years of crash records involving more than five million motors.
The results of the survey, conducted by the Automobile Association and NZ Transport Agency, lists 29 models as the safest to drive in New Zealand.
To make the grade, the surveyed motors had to pass a rigorous five-star protection rating. The vehicles had to be deemed to cause less serious injuries when they collided with pedestrians, cyclists or other vehicles.
"Better designs such as more airbags, advanced seatbelt systems and high strength steel construction help reduce the risk of death or serious injury in the event of a crash,” Transport Agency chief executive Geoff Dangerfield said.
Ford models rated highly with four vehicles featuring in the survey while Volkswagen had three vehicles on the list.
Popular Kiwi cars such as the Honda Civic, Audi A4 and the Mercedes Benz all made the cut as safe Kiwi motor vehicles.
And the winners are….
Small cars
Honda Civic 2006-10
Peugeot 307 2001-09
Volkswagen Golf/Bora 1999-2004
Volkswagen Golf/Jetta 2004-10
Volvo S40/V40 1997-2004
Medium cars
Audi A4 2001-08
BMW 3 series E90/E91/E92/E93 2005-10
BMW 5 series E39 1996-2003
Honda Accord 2003-07
Mazda 6 2002-07
Mercedes Benz C-Class W203 2000-07
Saab 9000 1986-97
Saab 900/9-3 1994-2002
Subaru Liberty/Legacy/Outback 2003-09
Volkswagen Passat 1998-2006
Large cars
Ford Falcon FG 2008-10
Mercedes Benz E-Class W210 1996-2002
Mitsubishi 380 2005-08
Toyota Aurion 2006-10
Light cars
Mazda 2 2007-10
Commercial vehicles (utes)
Mitsubishi Triton ML/MN 2006-10
Commercial vehicles (vans)
Ford Transit 2001-07
Compact four-wheel-drives Honda CR-V 2002-06
Subaru Forester 2002-08
Medium four-wheel-drives
Ford Territory SX/SY 2004-10
Holden Captiva CG 2006-10
Mitsubishi Pajero NM/NP/NS 2000-06
Large four-wheel-drives
BMW X5 2001-08
Ford Explorer 2001-05
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