Safety matters if you’re ever in a crash – so here’s what cars to buy to minimise potential injuries.

All of these cars have a 5 star ANCAP Safety rating, so here’s a closer analysis that reveals the safest car you can buy in each class in 2018, based on passenger and pedestrian protection.

Small Car – Suzuki Swift

With an ANCAP Safety overall score of 35.13/37* and a five star ANCAP Safety Rating, you have dual frontal, side chest and side head-protecting curtain airbags. AEB and lane-keep assistance are available.

Doors open easily after a front on crash. There’s a slight risk of injury to the chest in the side impact test, and to the lower legs of driver and passenger in a frontal crash.

Luxury Car – Lexus CT200h

The Lexus CT200h rates highly with a score of 36.13/37. This high score is supported by a driver knee airbag, as well as dual frontal, side chest and side head curtain airbags. AEB and lane keeping assistance are standard.

Side impact, pole and whiplash tests received maximum points, with a slight risk of injury to chest and lower legs preventing a perfect score.

Medium SUV – Volvo XC60

Dual front, side chest, side head curtain and driver knee airbags are standard, along with AEB, lane support systems and speed assistance. Adult occupant protection is rated at 98%, children
at 87% and pedestrians at 76%.

Safety assistance features are rated as 98%, speed information for driver could be improved. Pedestrians had good head and leg protection in most areas, with mixed results to pelvis area.

Sports Car – Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet

Dual front, side chest & head and driver’s knee airbags are standard, along with AEB, and a manual set speed-limiter. Lane support system is standard on the C300. Protection for adult occupants is rated at 84%. Pedestrian protection is 66%.

Bonnet sensors which detect when a pedestrian has been struck, triggering actuators to raise the bonnet and provide greater clearance to the stiff engine structures. Protection was good on the bonnet surface but poor in the pelvis region.

Ute – LDV T60

With no AEB , the rating of 35.46/27 comes from standard blind-spot monitoring, dual front, side chest and side-head protecting airbags, with lane support on some variants.

Pedestrian protection was acceptable, due to bumper bar and grille, with small areas of poor results at the base of the windscreen and leading edge of the bonnet.

People Mover – Kia Rondo / Carens

The safety score of 36.2/37 is supported by advanced seat belt reminders fitted on all seats, including the 3rd row of the seven-seater model. Dual front, side chest and side head curtain airbags are standard.

With 5-7 seats and a seven year warranty, the Kia Rondo makes a safe choice for a growing family.

With this guide to safety, you can make a smart choice on your new car for 2018.

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