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Guide to the table
"Worth considering" star ratings
Our main criterion for rating a car as worth considering is a good result in our reliability survey. A reliable car, whether new or used, is going to cost a lot less to run than one that's often in the workshop. We also looked for good safety ratings where they were available.
Price
New and used prices are obtained from 
and are updated regularly - see terms and conditions. We quote typical mid-range prices for used cars.
Vehicle type
We classified the cars based on the smallest version available, using the following criteria as a guide:
- Supermini – less than 3.9 metres long, seating 4 or 5, and engines up to 1.5 litres.
- Small cars – 3.9 to 4.2 metres, seating 5, and engines from 1.3 to 2 litres. Includes station wagons.
- Medium cars – 4.2 to 4.7 metres, seating 5, and engines from 2 to 2.5 litres.Includes station wagons.
- Large cars – over 4.7 metres, seating 5 or more, engines 3 litres and over.Includes station wagons.
- People movers – wagons with 5 or more seating positions in 2 or 3 rows.
- Small SUV – smaller lifestyle wagons – typically with 4WD.
- Large SUV – larger 4WD wagons which typically have greater 4WD capability.
However, a number of models could be put into more than one category. For example, in the "Supermini" car range, the sedan version could often be considered in the next size up, "small cars."
Reliability
From our 2008 reliability survey. We plan to re-survey our members in mid-2011. See our full car reliability report for more information.
- 3 stars = above average
- 2 stars = average
- 1 star = below average
Fuel and emissions
Fuel economy combined – from testing on the Australian Standard combined urban/highway test cycle. This is a relatively new method for comparing fuel economy, so we have little data for models before 2003. It is not comparable with the previous method. It's a reasonable estimate of what you might get on the open road, but careful drivers can still do better.
CO² – Carbon dioxide emissions. These were not usually tested on cars prior to 2003.
Data prepared by - see terms and conditions.
Safety
Crash rating – results from ANCAP, the Australian New Car Assessment Program, or EuroNCAP – tested in Europe, on left-hand drive models but in a similar manner to ANCAP. ANCAP scores cars on a 5-star basis, where 5 is best. Results are most meaningful when comparing cars of the same size.
Used car safety – from a study of road crashes in Australia and New Zealand. Rated in 5 categories, from "Very poor" to "Excellent". “Marginal” is the average risk of injury in all cars. Size can have a significant effect on risk of injury to occupants. Large older cars tend to rate well while few newer small cars rate better than marginal for safety.
Safety features
Many cars in our database are used imports from Japan that don't have their safety features recorded as they enter New Zealand. As a result we can't be certain about the safety features they may have. Also, on older NZ-new models only some typically more expensive versions of a model might have ABS or airbags. We list the safety features as follows:
- Tick – all models should have this feature.
- Most – as far as we can establish most models have this feature, but check before you buy.
- Some – this feature is typically found on either newer cars or premium specification cars in this model range.
- X – feature is not available.
Airbags – side airbags can include head and side cushion airbags which protect the torso. New Zealand-new cars sold after 2005 are more likely to have this feature, as are any cars which get a 5-star crash test rating.
ABS – anti-lock braking system: helps drivers to brake heavily and still steer the car without losing control.
Stability control – an enhancement of the ABS system proven to reduce the risk of crashes by helping drivers retain control in emergency situations. We strongly recommend this feature.
Our advice: the more safety features you can include in your car purchase the safer you will be on the road.
Chassis
Body types – available body styles for each model.
Number of doors – 5 or 3 door can include hatchback, liftback and wagon models.
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