After a friday afternoon of perusing the ANCAP website, listening to Paul Simon, I thought of a good story: What are the worst Australian 4X4 crash tests? What are the least-safe 4WDs getting around? So I got to work, and dragged up the top five. It’s worth noting here that this list isn’t exhaustive (see the author’s not at the bottom), but it does give you a good idea.
1: Great Wall Motors V240
The Great Wall V240 ute came in 2X4 and 4X4 options, and was on sale in Australia between 2009 and 2015. There was confusion and controversy about their recent demise of sales, but they will soon be back. The Great Wall Steed is coming, and should prove to be much safer than the ol’ V240.
| Airbags: | Dual Frontal |
| Frontal Offset: | 2.36 out of 16 |
| Side Impact: | 16.00 out of 16 |
| Pole: | Not Assessed |
| Whiplash Protection: | Not Assessed |
| Pedestrian Protection: | Poor |
| ESC: | Not Available |
| Seat Belt Reminders: | 0.0 out of 3 |
| Overall Score: | 16.49 out of 37 |
| ANCAP Safety Rating: | Two Stars |
| Rating Year: | 2009 |
2: Ssangyong Actyon Sports
You don’t see these units on the road too often, from the cut-price Korean manufacturer. It’s a strange-looking ute, with old Mercedes-Benz running gear, that does have a fairly legendary reputation for toughness and longevity. The Actyon isn’t available any more according to their website, but the Rexton 4X4 is still available.
| Airbags: | Dual Frontal |
| Frontal Offset: | 7.01 out of 16 |
| Side Impact: | 16.00 out of 16 |
| Pole: | Not Assessed |
| Whiplash Protection: | Pending |
| Pedestrian Protection: | Poor |
| ESC: | Not Available |
| Seat Belt Reminders: | 1.0 out of 3 |
| Overall Score: | 24.01 out of 37 |
| ANCAP Safety Rating: | Three Stars |
| Rating Year: | 2010 |
3. Nissan Patrol Cab Chassis
We love the mighty GU Patrol, we really do. It’s a terrible shame to know that it’s days now are severly numbered on showroom floors, and will soon be dead. It doesn’t stop it from being a solid touring base, despite an antiquated gearbox and asthmatic engine. Whichever way you go, just try not to crash.
| Airbags: | Dual Frontal |
| Frontal Offset: | 5.60 out of 16 |
| Side Impact: | 16.00 out of 16 |
| Pole: | Not Assessed |
| Whiplash Protection: | Not Assessed |
| Pedestrian Protection: | Poor |
| ESC: | Not Available |
| Seat Belt Reminders: | 0.0 out of 3 |
| Overall Score: | 21.60 out of 37 |
| ANCAP Safety Rating: | Three Stars |
| Rating Year: | 2010 |
4: Mahindra Pik-Up
Another strange-looking contraption, the Mahindra is another bargain-bin ute option for Australians. The Mahindra Pik-Up is still available, costing as little as $24,990 for a diesel ute, with an Eaton rear locker!
| Airbags: | Dual Frontal |
| Frontal Offset: | 6.60 out of 16 |
| Side Impact: | 16.00 out of 16 |
| Pole: | Not Assessed |
| Whiplash Protection: | Not Assessed |
| Pedestrian Protection: | Poor |
| ESC: | Not Available |
| Seat Belt Reminders: | 0.0 out of 3 |
| Overall Score: | 22.60 out of 37 |
| ANCAP Safety Rating: | |
| Rating Year: | 2012 |
5. Foton Tunland
This is a package of suprises, really. A 2.8-litre Cummin diesel powerplant, with 120kW and 360Nm is under the bonnet, Dana transfer case and limited-slip rear differential all make up a fairly alluring 4X4 or workhorse package.
| Airbags: | Dual Frontal |
| Frontal Offset: | 8.00 out of 16 |
| Side Impact: | 16.00 out of 16 |
| Pole: | Not Assessed |
| Whiplash Protection: | Not Assessed |
| Pedestrian Protection: | Not Assessed |
| ESC: | Not Available |
| Seat Belt Reminders: | 0.0 out of 3 |
| Overall Score: | 24.00 out of 37 |
| ANCAP Safety Rating: | Three Stars |
| Rating Year: | 2012 |
Notable Mention: Proton Jumbuck
No, it’s not a 4WD. If it was, our journo Ev probably would have bought one… But it’s worth watching: this poor thing gets absolutely murdered. And the scary thing is that occupants probably will, too. You should watch the video.
| Airbags: | None |
| Frontal Offset: | 1.00 out of 16 |
| Side Impact: | 7.39 out of 16 |
| Pole: | Not Assessed |
| Whiplash Protection: | Not Assessed |
| Pedestrian Protection: | Marginal |
| ESC: | Not Available |
| Seat Belt Reminders: | 0.0 out of 3 |
| Overall Score: | 8.39 out of 37 |
| ANCAP Safety Rating: | One Star |
| Rating Year: | 2008 |
Full disclosure: the author of this story owns and daily-drives a 2001 Land Rover Defender, and knows full well that it would probably feature on this list, if it was tested.
