KEY POINTS:
A $100,000 4WD with remote-activated headlights has topped a survey of personal security features of new cars.
The Land Rover Discovery 3 scored equal highest in State Insurance's review of more than 120 vehicles.
The company said the survey aimed to increase driver safety, but one commentator felt locks and alarms were more of a psychological measure.
Land Transport New Zealand encouraged drivers to also consider a car's performance in crash testing in conjunction with the results.
The inaugural State Personal Security Car Ratings rated cars using 14 features, such as a panic alert and a in-car navigation system.
Cars in the luxury, medium and large categories generally scored highly, while cars in the small category averaged just three out of 14.
The Discovery 3 and the Range Rover both scored 12, the survey's highest mark. But the models' in-car navigation system, with voice recognition capabilities, was not yet fully functional in New Zealand.
State national sales and support manager Mike Tully said the ratings might help drivers make vehicle choices. "Features such as interior lights and panic alerts are strong deterrents of potential incidents and can help to keep motorists safe."
The Dog & Lemon Guide editor Clive Matthew-Wilson said many of the features in the survey would make people feel more secure but not necessarily improve personal safety in New Zealand, where car jackings were rare.
"The features are desirable but actually not that effective if push comes to shove," said Mr Matthew-Wilson, who drives a Morris Oxford.
"A person with a rock could break your window on your Land Rover Discovery if it's got great locks or not."
He said American research indicated that one reason drivers were attracted to 4WDs was they could see under the car "to make sure that nobody was lurking there".
"Many of the people who are attracted to these so-called security features would be better off getting a good psychologist," Mr Matthew-Wilson said.
How safe is your car?
Vehicle, Score
Land Rover Discovery 3, 12
Land Rover Range Rover, 12
Holden Caprice sedan, 11
Holden Commodore sedan, 10
Peugeot 407 HD1 sedan, 10
Lowest scorers
Holden Barina 5 door hatch 1
Kia Rio Cvvt 5 door hatch 1
Holden Viva 5 door hatch, 1
Jeep Wrangler Sport 4x4, 1
Nissan Patrol ST 4.2, 1
Mazda MX5 Roadster, 1
Toyota Hilux SR 4.0L V6, 1
Source: State Personal Security Car Ratings
