Car security

Before you lock in your next car purchase, use these NRMA Insurance security scores to choose a more secure model.
 
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  • Updated:5 Feb 2013
  • Author:Graham Byrne
  • rateraterateraterate: Member rating
 

01 .Car security scores

Car security

Engineers from the NRMA Insurance's Research Centre have assessed over 100 current-model cars across eight vehicle categories and scored them for security - an important consideration when you're choosing a car.

The National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council (NMVTRC) estimates that the cost of vehicle theft in Australia is over $610 million per year, and it's consumers who pay the price through higher insurance premiums and added demands on our justice system. Waiting for police or insurance companies for resolution after your car has been broken into or stolen can cause major disruption to your work and personal life, not to mention the uneasy feeling that a stranger has invaded your privacy.

The car security scores in this report are your guide to choosing a more secure vehicle, whether it's a small car or an SUV you're considering.

How were cars scored?

The vehicles were given a score out of 100 based on three main criteria:

• Entry systems (doors, ignition locks, alarms, rear seat/boot access and glazing),
• Engine immobilisers (higher technology immobilisers attracting higher scores), and
• Vehicle identification (body stamping, security labelling and microdotting).

For more information, go to the NRMA Insurance website. You can also take a look at our Car safety and advice section.

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NRMA Insurance is a provider of car, motorcycle, home, business, travel, boat, caravan and life insurance in NSW, QLD, ACT & TAS

 
 

 

02.Small cars

 

Use the table below as a guide to choosing a more secure car in this category. The higher the total score, the more secure the vehicle.

NRMA Insurance's Car Security Scores*
Make Model Entry (/10) Immobiliser (/50) Vehicle ID (/40) Total (/100)
Volkswagen Polo 77TSI 4 50 20 74
Audi A1 2 50 20 72
Skoda Fabia 2 50 20 72
Hyundai Accent 4 37.5 20 61.5
Hyundai i20 5 20 20 45
Suzuki Alto 0 42.5 0 42.5
Kia Rio 0 20 20 40
Citroen DS3 4.5 32.5 0 37
Holden Barina 1 32.5 0 33.5
Mazda Mazda2 0 20 12 32
Chery J1 3 20 4 27
Honda Jazz 2 20 0 22
Nissan Micra 2 20 0 22
Suzuki Swift 2 20 0 22
Ford Fiesta 0 20 0 20
Toyota Yaris 0 20 0 20

*Information provided by NRMA Insurance's Research Centre

03.Small-to-medium cars

 

Use the table below as a guide to choosing a more secure car in this category. The higher the total score, the more secure the vehicle.

NRMA Insurance's Car Security Scores*
Make Model Entry (/10) Immobiliser (/50) Vehicle ID (/40) Total (/100)
Volkswagen Golf 90 TSI Trendline 4 50 20 74
BMW 1-Series 2 50 20 72
Volkwagen Jetta 4 50 10 64
Subaru Impreza 2 20 38 60
Hyundai Elantra 1 37.5 20 58.5
Lexus CT200h 4 50 4 58
Alfa Romeo Giulietta 2.5 50 0 52.5
Kia Soul 0 20 20 40
Citroen C4 4.5 32.5 0 37
Kia Cerato 2 20 10 32
Mazda Mazda3 0 20 12 32
Chery J3 1 20 10 31
Holden Cruze 5 20 0 25
Mitsubishi Lancer 0 20 0 20
Honda Civic 0 20 0 20

*Information provided by NRMA Insurance's Research Centre

04.Medium cars

 

Use the table below as a guide to choosing a more secure car in this category. The higher the total score, the more secure the vehicle.

NRMA Insurance's Car Security Scores*
Make Model Entry (/10) Immobiliser (/50) Vehicle ID (/40) Total (/100)
Audi A4 4 50 24 78
Volkswagen Passat 4 50 24 78
Subaru Liberty 0 37.5 38 75.5
Mercedes-Benz C-Class 0 50 20 70
Volvo S60 0 50 12 62
Hyundai i40 0 37.5 20 57.5
Toyota Camry 3 50 0 53
Hyundai i45 2.5 20 20 42.5
Citroen C5 4.5 32.5 0 37
Mazda Mazda6 0 20 12 32
Suzuki Kizashi 2 20 0 22
Honda Accord Euro 0 20 0 20

*Information provided by NRMA Insurance's Research Centre

05.Large cars

 

Use the table below as a guide to choosing a more secure car in this category. The higher the total score, the more secure the vehicle.

NRMA Insurance's Car Security Scores*
Make Model Entry (/10) Immobiliser (/50) Vehicle ID (/40) Total (/100)
Jaguar XF 7.5 50 24 81.5
Audi A6 4 50 24 78
BMW 5-Series 4 50 20 74
Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class 0 50 20 70
Holden Commodore 2.5 50 0 52.5
Skoda Superb 2 50 0 52
Nissan Maxima 0 20 20 40
Ford Falcon 2 20 0 22
Honda Accord 0 20 0 20
Toyota Aurion 0 20 0 20

*Information provided by NRMA Insurance's Research Centre

06.People movers

 

Use the table below as a guide to choosing a more secure car in this category. The higher the total score, the more secure the vehicle.

NRMA Insurance's Car Security Scores*
Make Model Entry (/10) Immobiliser (/50) Vehicle ID (/40) Total (/100)
Volkswagen Caddy Life 4 50 0 54
Volkswagen Multivan 4 50 0 54
Hyundai iMax 1 20 20 41
Citroen C4 Picasso 1 32.5 0 33.5
Dodge Journey 1 20 10 31
Chrysler Voyager 0 20 10 30
Kia Grand Carnival 3 20 0 23
Kia Rondo 1 20 0 21
Honda Odyssey 0 20 0 20
Toyota Tarago 0 20 0 20

*Information provided by NRMA Insurance's Research Centre

07.Coupes and convertibles

 

Use the table below as a guide to choosing a more secure car in this category. The higher the total score, the more secure the vehicle.

NRMA Insurance's Car Security Scores*
Make Model Entry (/10) Immobiliser (/50) Vehicle ID (/40) Total (/100)
Audi A3 Convertible 4 50 20 74
Audi A5 Convertible 4 50 20 74
Audi TT Coupe 4 50 20 74
BMW 1-Series Convertible 4 50 20 74
BMW 3-Series Coupe 4 50 20 74
Mini Cooper S 2 50 20 72
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe 1 50 20 71
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Convertible 1 50 20 71
Volkswagen EOS Covertible 4 50 0 54
Hyundai Veloster 1 20 20 41
Citroen DS4 4.5 32.5 0 37
Honda CR-Z 2 20 0 22
Kia Cerato Koup 2 20 0 22

*Information provided by NRMA Insurance's Research Centre

08.SUV

 

Use the table below as a guide to choosing a more secure car in this category. The higher the total score, the more secure the vehicle.

NRMA Insurance's Car Security Scores*
Make Model Entry (/10) Immobiliser (/50) Vehicle ID (/40) Total (/100)
Volkswagen Tiguan 4 50 24 78
BMW X3 2 50 20 72
Volkswagen Touareg V6 TDI 10 50 10 70
Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.5 50 10 63.5
Subaru Forester 0 20 40 60
Subaru Tribeca 0 20 40 60
Hyundai ix35 4.5 20 20 44.5
Holden Captiva7 1.5 42.5 0 44
Nissan Dualis 0 20 20 40
Nissan X-Trail 0 20 20 40
Ford Territory 0 37.5 0 37.5
Chery J11 3 20 4 27
Mazda CX-7 2 20 4 26
Toyota Prado 5 20 0 25
Toyota Landcruiser 3 20 0 23
Toyota Kluger 0 20 0 20
Toyota RAV4 0 20 0 20

*Information provided by NRMA Insurance's Research Centre

09.Commercial vehicles

 

Use the table below as a guide to choosing a more secure car in this category. The higher the total score, the more secure the vehicle.

NRMA Insurance's Car Security Scores*
Make Model Entry (/10) Immobiliser (/50) Vehicle ID (/40) Total (/100)
Volkswagen Amarok Ute 2 50 10 62
Holden Commodore Ute 2.5 50 0 52.5
Hyundai iLoad Van 1 20 20 41
Mercedes-Benz Vito Van 2 37.5 0 39.5
Mitsubishi Triton Ute 0 20 18 38
Ford Falcon Ute 0 20 0 20
Holden Colorado Dual Cab Ute 0 20 0 20
Isuzu D-Max Ute 0 20 0 20
Mazda BT-50 Dual Cab Ute 0 20 0 20
Nissan Navara Dual Cab Ute 0 20 0 20
Toyota Hilux Dual Cab Ute 0 20 0 20

*Information provided by NRMA Insurance's Research Centre

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