The car model associated with the most crime varies by location and the type of crime, but Toyota, Holden, and Ford vehicles are frequently reported as the most stolen in Australia, while in the US, Kia and Hyundai models recently topped the list.
1. Ford Fiesta. The most dangerous car in America, ranked at number 1, to drive on the IIHS's list is the Ford Fiesta mini 4-door car. Its overall driver fatality rate was a tragic 141 per million registered vehicle years in 2020.
8 of Australia's worst cars for safety
Bupa Car Insurance data shows the top three road assistance callouts related to dead batteries, flat tyres, and engine failure. Running out of petrol is also a common callout. The Toyota Corolla tops the list for cars needing roadside help, followed by the Holden Captiva, Toyota Camry, Mazda 3, and Nissan X-Trail.
Hyundai, Kia, Honda, and Chevrolet dominate the list of most-stolen vehicles, often because of their abundance and certain security vulnerabilities. Online trends have driven up theft rates in specific cars, particularly older ones without modern anti-theft tech.
Thieves often avoid high-end vehicles like Mercedes-Benz and newer BMWs because they are more difficult to steal, easily tracked, and too risky to sell or strip. These cars often come with multi-layered security systems, making them less attractive targets.
The full top 10 list as reported by Équité:
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The safest cars in Australia, according to recent ANCAP ratings, include the Toyota Camry (highest overall 2024 performer), Mazda CX-80, and the electric BYD Dolphin, often with 5-star ratings and high scores in Adult Occupant Protection, Child Protection, and Safety Assist, though the specific "safest" depends on vehicle type, with SUVs and medium cars often leading and utes performing poorly. For used cars, models like the Tesla Model 3, Subaru Forester, and certain Hyundai, Kia, and Mazda models also achieve "Safer Pick" status.
Australia's "25-Year Rule" allows importing classic and collectible vehicles (cars, motorcycles, light commercials) older than 25 years, under the Road Vehicle Standards (RVS) laws, by obtaining a Concessional RAV (Register of Approved Vehicles) approval to avoid strict compliance with modern Australian Design Rules (ADRs). This "rolling" rule means the vehicle must be at least 25 years old at the time of application, simplifying imports for enthusiasts but still requiring compliance with ADRs relevant to its original build year, plus some modifications for safety like VINs or child restraints.
Volvo is the safest car brand in the world because it has consistently proven itself in safety testing, been a leader in safety innovations for decades, focused on accident prevention through features and handling, and prioritized the safety of everyone on the road.
Mungallala Methodist Church was built in 1964. It has now closed. In 2016, the Australian Taxation Office listed Mungallala as having the lowest mean taxable income by postcode, making it the poorest town in Australia, which led the ABC to do a documentary on the town for their online "storyhunters" program.
The "$70 million dollar car" refers to a specific 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO (Chassis #4153 GT) sold in 2018 to David MacNeil, the founder and CEO of WeatherTech, making him one of the world's most prominent car collectors, although other cars have since sold for more, like the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe.
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High Center of Gravity
Vehicles that sit higher off the ground like SUVs, pickup trucks, and vans are more likely to roll over. Light trucks have a much higher rollover rate than sedans. Adding passengers or heavy cargo raises the center of gravity even more.
Most aggressive: ram 2500, ford f250, bmw, Nissan altima, Infiniti g37. Least aggressive: Nissan quest, Subaru ascent/forester.
While reliability varies, data from Australian roadside assistance shows popular models like the Toyota Corolla, Holden Captiva, Toyota Camry, and Mazda 3 frequently require help, often for battery, tyre, or engine issues, though older Holdens (Captiva/Cruze) are notorious for major failures. Factors like high sales volume for popular cars and known issues with certain models (like older Captivas) influence breakdown rates.
The best SUV in Australia depends on needs, but top contenders across categories include the Toyota RAV4 (best-seller, reliable), Hyundai Tucson/Santa Fe (great value, tech, hybrid options), Kia Sportage/Sorento (stylish, great warranty, fun to drive), Mazda CX-5/CX-60 (premium feel, popular), and Ford Everest/Toyota LandCruiser (for off-road/large family needs). For budget-friendly or small options, look at the Nissan X-Trail, Mitsubishi Outlander, or MG HS.
What vehicle is the most unreliable? The Cadillac Lyriqis the most unreliable vehicle for 2025. Its predicted reliability score of 53 out of 100 is well below every other vehicle on the market.
"Poor man's Porsche" describes more affordable cars offering similar style, handling, or a comparable driving experience to expensive Porsches, with historical examples including the Chevy Corvair, while modern contenders often cited are the Mazda MX-5 Miata, Toyota MR2, or even entry-level Porsches like the Boxster/Cayman and older models like the 944, which provide accessible performance. The term signifies great value and fun without the premium price tag, although some Porsche purists debate its validity for newer, still-premium models.
Why are Tesla vehicles among the least stolen cars? Tesla vehicles are equipped with cutting-edge security features such as GPS tracking, Sentry Mode, and PIN to Drive, making them difficult to steal and easy to recover.
Car thieves tend to go for vehicles in common colours, such as white, grey, and black. This is because they have a higher demand, making them easy to sell. It's also noticeable that some cars are just more attractive to the criminals than others.
Fidelity previously noted that hijackers most often targeted Toyota and Volkswagen vehicles, with targetted models including: Toyota Hilux Volkswagen Polo Toyota Quantum Nissan NP200 On top of these vehicles, security experts have also pointed to the following: Toyota Fortuner Toyota Etios Toyota Yaris Ford Ranger Ford ...