Lexi Webster
Car safety is a critical consideration when purchasing a vehicle in Australia. The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) is an independent authority that assesses the safety of new cars in Australia. ANCAP ranks cars out of five stars, with attention paid to safety features that protect vehicle occupants and pedestrians outside. The ratings change over time as new car safety features become normalised and technology evolves. For instance, newer cars are assessed in terms of how they can avoid or minimise potential accidents. In 2023, the Lexus RZ was ranked as Australia's safest car, with the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV close behind.
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What You'll Learn
Australia's safest cars in 2023
When it comes to car safety, it's important to consider a range of factors, including crash data, safety ratings, and the inclusion of safety features. In Australia, two important sources for car safety information are the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), which covers new cars, and the UCSR (Used Car Safety Ratings) system, which covers used cars.
ANCAP ranks cars out of five stars, with attention paid to safety features that protect vehicle occupants and pedestrians outside. The ratings change over time as new car safety features become normalised and technology evolves. For 2023 models, the Lexus RZ, BYD Dolphin, and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV are top-rated for adult occupants, child occupants, and safety assists. The Lexus RZ scored 87% for protecting adults, 89% for children, 84% for pedestrians, and 84% for safety assists. The BMW 5 Series, finishing second, was very close behind with only 0.03 points less than the Lexus RZ.
In 2023, Monash University's Accident Research Centre (MUARC) also identified Australia's 20 safest used cars by analysing real-world crash data from over 9 million crashes and 2.5 million injuries in Australia and New Zealand between 1987 and 2021. This study found that driving a car made in 2021 reduces the chance of serious injury or death by 33% compared to a car from 2001. The Audi A4 was one of the few cars from an earlier model year to be included in the 20 safest picks.
For families, hatchbacks and sedans are popular choices due to their affordability, compact size, and fuel efficiency. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 hatchback is an award-winning electric car with premium comfort and safety features, including seven airbags and level 2 autonomous safety technology. The Toyota Mirai sedan offers modern luxuries, safety features, and an infotainment system that adapts to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
SUVs are also a popular choice for families due to their size, powerful engines, and spacious interiors. The Hyundai Palisade is Hyundai's largest and most spacious SUV, providing a roomy interior and high-tech features for a great riding experience.
Overall, while the safest cars in Australia in 2023 vary depending on specific needs and preferences, the Lexus RZ stands out as a top choice, closely followed by the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV.
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Safest cars under $30k
When it comes to buying a car, safety is a top priority. Here is a list of some of the safest cars available in Australia for under $30,000:
Mazda3
The Mazda3 is a great choice for those looking for a blend of style, performance, features, and affordability. It has been a staple in the compact car segment and offers a sophisticated cabin design with a range of features, including a seven-inch infotainment system, air-conditioning, and electric windows. The Mazda3 also handles superbly and is known for its exceptional fuel economy.
Hyundai Santa Fe
The Hyundai Santa Fe is a large SUV that offers excellent value for families. The fourth-generation Santa Fe TM model from 2018 brought significant improvements, and it is now available for well under $30,000. The 2.2-litre turbo diesel variant is particularly impressive, offering an all-wheel-drive system and better fuel efficiency compared to the petrol engines.
Subaru Forester
The Subaru Forester is a legacy mid-size SUV that combines practicality, versatility, and high safety standards. It is equipped with a boxer four-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive, ensuring smooth and refined performance. The suspension is also finely tuned to handle rough roads, providing a comfortable ride. The Forester offers generous cabin space and commendable equipment levels, with a particular emphasis on safety features.
Ford Ranger
The Ford Ranger is a dual-cab AWD ute known for its active safety features and state-of-the-art infotainment system. It offers a refined ride in all road conditions and has a punchy engine and gearbox, making it an excellent choice for towing. The previous-generation Ranger is available for under $30,000 and remains one of the best dual-cab utes in Australia.
Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX-5 is a medium-size SUV that comes equipped with the latest active safety technology, including Emergency Brake Assist, brake force distribution, and dynamic stability control. It offers a spacious cabin with five comfortable seats and a large boot, as well as one of the best infotainment systems on the market. The handling is crisp, and the ride is refined, making it a pleasure to drive.
Other Honourable Mentions
Other safe and affordable cars in Australia include the Kia Picanto Sport, Hyundai i30 Sedan, Mazda 2, Haval Jolion, MG3 Hybrid, Suzuki Swift, and MG 5. These cars offer excellent value for money, fuel efficiency, and a range of advanced safety features, making them great options for first-time car buyers or those on a budget.
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How car safety is determined
Car safety is a critical consideration when purchasing a new or used car in Australia. The safest car in Australia is one that has a robust safety features list that works in tandem with how the vehicle has been built to minimise injury and/or death to its occupants in the event of a crash. There is no single car that is the safest, as different types of vehicles will behave differently in emergency situations.
In Australia, car safety is determined by the Australian Design Rules (ADRs), which are in turn determined by the Australian Government under the Road Vehicles Standards Act 2018. The ADRs are the national regulatory standards for safety, anti-theft, and environmental performance of road vehicles in the Australian market. Currently, Australia mandates 75 ADRs, most of which are aligned with United Nations regulations. Safety is not just about the inclusion of safety systems and features, but also how those systems work.
To help consumers make informed decisions about safety when buying a car, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the United States created the 5-Star Safety Ratings program. This program provides information about the crash protection and rollover safety of new vehicles beyond what is required by federal law. The 5-star rating is calculated using the probabilities of injury that are used in determining frontal and side ratings, and a projected probability of injury based on rollover resistance ratings. The rollover resistance rating is based on a laboratory measurement called the Static Stability Factor (SSF) that determines how "top-heavy" a vehicle is, as well as the results of a driving maneuver that tests the vehicle's vulnerability to tipping on the road.
In Australia, the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) is an independent authority renowned for rigorous car safety testing. Similar to the NHTSA, ANCAP ranks cars out of five stars, with particular attention paid to safety features that protect vehicle occupants and pedestrians outside. The ratings change over time as new car safety features become normalised and technology evolves. For example, newer cars are assessed in terms of how they can avoid or minimise potential accidents. The ANCAP rating categories cover Adult Occupant Protection (ACP), Child Occupant Protection (COP), Vulnerable Road User Protection (VRU), and Safety Assist (SA).
Some safety features to look out for when comparing different car models include seat belts, airbags, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, and laminated windshields.
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Active safety features
One such feature is auto emergency braking, which senses an imminent crash and automatically applies the brakes if the driver does not respond. This technology is now standard on many new vehicles of all sizes. For example, the Honda e:HEV variant includes this feature, along with eleven airbags, including side chest airbags for the second row and knee airbags for both the driver and front passenger.
The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) is an independent authority that rigorously tests car safety and rates vehicles out of five stars. In addition to crashworthiness, ANCAP also considers a vehicle's ability to avoid or minimise potential accidents. In 2023, only seven cars received a five-star rating, and in 2024, three-quarters of the 23 models rated received full marks.
ANCAP's ratings change over time as new safety features become standard and technology evolves. For instance, the inclusion of daytime running lights, which increase a vehicle's visibility to other drivers, is now considered a safety feature.
While not an exhaustive list, some of the safest vehicles in Australia according to their ANCAP ratings include:
- Lexus RZ (2023's safest car)
- BMW 5 Series
- Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV
- BYD Dolphin
- Toyota Camry
- Mitsubishi Outlander
- Volkswagen Polo
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Safest car brands
When it comes to the safest car brands in Australia, there are a few factors to consider. Firstly, the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) is an independent authority that conducts rigorous car safety testing and ratings for new cars in Australia. They assess cars on a 0-5 star rating system, taking into account factors like adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, vulnerable road user protection, and safety assist technologies. According to ANCAP's ratings, here are some of the safest car brands available in Australia:
Lexus
The Lexus brand has consistently appeared in the top spots for safety in Australia. In 2023, the Lexus RZ was rated as the safest car, with high scores in protecting adult occupants, child occupants, pedestrian protection, and safety assist. The Lexus NX also stood out for its safety features, achieving the most safety percentage points collectively in its category.
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is another brand that is often associated with safety in Australia. In 2023, the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV was ranked as the third safest car overall. This particular model scored highly in the safety assist category. Additionally, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class was ranked second in terms of safety percentage points.
Toyota
While not always known for being the safest, Toyota has made significant strides in recent years. According to ANCAP's ratings in 2024 and 2025, Toyota had three models listed as five-star safety vehicles: the Camry, C-HR, and Prado. The Camry, in particular, has been praised for its safety features, with ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg highlighting its "stable and reliable" nature with a safety pedigree dating back over 13 years.
Other Notable Brands
Other car brands that have been recognized for their safety features in Australia include BYD, with their BYD Dolphin model performing well in safety tests, and BMW, with the BMW 5 Series finishing second in safety ratings for 2023. Additionally, brands like Volvo, Mercedes, and Subaru are often regarded as producing strong and safe vehicles, although they may come with higher repair costs.
It's important to remember that car safety is complex, and the safest car is one that has robust safety features that work in harmony with its design to minimize injury and death in crashes. The performance of a car in an emergency situation is also influenced by factors like the vehicle's age, weight, and other active and passive safety systems.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to determine which cars are the safest in Australia. One way is to refer to the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), which ranks cars out of five stars, with attention to safety features that protect vehicle occupants and pedestrians outside. In 2023, the Lexus RZ was considered the safest car, with the BMW 5 Series in second place and the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV in third. As of 2024, the petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid-powered CX-80 range took silver with an overall weighted score of 87.6%.
A car's safety is determined by the Australian Design Rules (ADRs), which are set by the Australian Government under the Road Vehicles Standards Act 2018. The national strategy can be found in the National Road Safety Action Plan 2023-25. ADRs cover the safety, anti-theft, and environmental performance of road vehicles. Safety features include auto emergency braking, which senses an imminent crash and automatically applies the brakes if the driver doesn't respond.
Generally, newer cars are safer due to manufacturers incorporating the latest active and passive safety features. However, it's important to note that the safety of a car depends on its size and weight, and how those safety systems work together.
While specific car models receive safety ratings, some brands are known for their safety features and performance in crash tests. These include Volvo, Mercedes, and Subaru. Toyota, Honda, and Mazda are also reliable brands with good safety ratings.
