KEY POINTS:
The latest vehicle safety ratings bring good news for the fuel-conscious motorist - small and cheap doesn't automatically mean unsafe.
The 2008 Used Car Safety Ratings show small or medium-sized models made after 1995 are among the safest when involved in a crash.
But older small cars, such as the 1984-87 Honda Civic and 1982-88 Ford Laser performed poorly, as did almost half of the "light" models tested, a third of vans and almost a third of utes.
The Australasian survey, which was released by Land Transport New Zealand and the AA last week, compared the safety of 349 models in the event of a serious crash.
The safety of occupants and other road users were included in the rankings, produced by researchers at Monash University, Melbourne, who analysed data from more than 3.2 million crashes from 1986 to 2006.
Nine of 83 small cars tested, including the Peugeot 306 (1994-01) and Mazda 3 (2003-06) performed "significantly better" than average.
But out of 50 large models tested, only one, the 2002-06 Holden Commodore, made the top grade.
Light cars and utes failed to get any models into the top category.
Only one people mover, the Mitsubishi Nimbus (1999-2003), made that grade.
AA technical services general manager Stella Stocks said if all vehicle designs were equivalent to the safest model, the number of fatal and disabling crash injuries could be significantly reduced.
She said it was a myth that you had to spend up large to get the safest available model.
Many of the models ranked among the safest would cost $5000 or less in today's market.
Daihatsu and Suzuki vehicles filled filled all but one place in a list of the five least safe vehicles for occupant protection.
But Suzuki New Zealand marketing manager Don Peck defended the brand, saying few Kiwis would be driving the models which performed so badly.
The 1985-88 Mighty Boy, ranked fifth least safe, had never been sold in New Zealand and a three-door version of the Alto, ranked second least safe, was only sold in Australia.
He conceded early model Suzukis performed poorly in comparison to other cars, the Alto being "smaller than a Mini", but claimed models made from 2002 on were as safe as larger vehicles, with airbags and modern frontal impact systems.
"There's no difference, really."
For example, the current Swift had a four out of five safety performance rating - missing out on a fifth star only because of the lack of an electronic stability programme - and the highest possible pedestrian safety rating.
Daihatsu, which had two models in the bottom five, is run in New Zealand by Toyota.
General sales and operations manager Steve Prangnell told the Herald on Sunday both were sold briefly in New Zealand - the Hi-Jet in 1988 and the Mira in 1994 - before Toyota was involved.
Since then, he said, the safety of Daihatsu models sold here had improved.
All current models featured twin airbags, automatic braking, and most had vehicle stability control.
"All have four star ratings - we have dragged them up in regards of safety, to try to match Toyota."
The LTNZ advises people wanting to gauge car safety - as well as fuel economy - CO2 emissions and pollutants, to visit its website at: www.ltnz.govt.nz or www.rightcar.govt.nz.
SAFEST
1 Volkswagen Golf/Jetta 04-06
2 Kia Carnival 99-06
3 Hyundai Grandeur/XG 99-00
4 Volkswagen Beetle 00-06
5 Mazda MPV 94-99
UNSAFEST
1 Daihatsu Hi-Jet 82-88
2 Suzuki Alto 85-00
3 Daihatsu Mira 90-96
4 Holden/Suzuki Scurry/Carry 82-00
5 Suzuki Mighty Boy 85-88
Figures for occupant protection only. Source: LTNZ/AA
