The Corolla GX, Ford Fiesta Zetec hatch and the Hyundai i30 are all good options for Kathy.
The Corolla GX, Ford Fiesta Zetec hatch and the Hyundai i30 are all good options for Kathy.
MID-SIZE HATCH THE IDEAL CHOICE
Kathy has, since she started working full-time, always used public transport to get to work in the inner city.
"But I do like my independence though and I love to get out to the beach or travel out of town to visit friends and relatives when it suits me so am looking for a suitable car," she said.
Her preference is for a mid-size hatch for safety reasons as she thinks the smaller cars are too vulnerable on the open roads. The budget: $14,000
Those travelling in a smaller vehicle fitted with side curtain airbags for example, may well suffer less serious head injuries than those travelling in an older large vehicle with no such protection in the event of an accident.
Plus, any vehicle, fitted with Electronic Stability Control has a better chance of avoiding an accident in the first place.
Crash test data from sources such as the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (Ancap) are a great guide for potential buyers looking for a safe vehicle; however you should only compare safety ratings with vehicles of similar weight or from the same category.
A small and a large vehicle may have identical star ratings only because they have been tested individually and have achieved the same overall score.
In general, the very small cars are best suited for around town driving for their economy, ease of parking and manoeuvrability among other things, while if the majority of the driving is on the open road and motorways, then a slightly larger vehicle does provide better comfort and driveability, as well as being potentially safer.
The bottom line is finding the safest vehicle in your price range and one that fits between very small and extra-large.
Toyota Corolla
The Corolla GX, Ford Fiesta Zetec hatch and the Hyundai i30 are all good options for Kathy.
If safety is the priority then it's not a bad idea to look for brands that are known for their reliability. It helps move the process on and keeps the mind focused on what is important. The 2010 1.8-litre GX Corolla hatch has a number of excellent safety features, including those vital side and curtain airbags, plus Electronic Stability Control (ESC). It's practical and does most things extremely well.
Hyundai i30
Hyundai i30
The 2010 i30 is another "safe" choice that fits the budget. There are a number of different options available including diesel and petrol. My recommendation would be to stick with the 1.6-litre petrol variant with the four-speed automatic.Safety features such as ESC became a standard fitment in all models in the late 2000s and look for models with side and curtain airbags.
Ford Fiesta
Ford Fiesta
I would recommend looking at the 2010 1.4-litre automatic hatch.
It may sound and look marginal in terms of size but then again it may just fit the bill nicely. It's a vehicle that has always had something a little special about it in terms of looks, with an element of fun about it. Once again, make sure you check for the complete safety package.
Driven recommends Take each individual vehicle on its merits because specification levels can differ (check out rightcar.co.nz).
