The safest second-hand family SUVs available in Australia combine affordability with cutting-edge safety technology, according to a detailed analysis released this year. While new cars increasingly come equipped with advanced driver assistance systems, not every buyer can afford the latest models. The MUARC’s 2025 used-car-safety-ratings report provides clarity, evaluating 561 vehicle models produced between 1982 and 2023 using data from 9.2 million vehicles and 2.3 million injured road users across Australia and New Zealand.
To qualify as a “safer pick,” a model must achieve at least four stars in crash avoidance and other road user safety, and five stars in driver and overall safety. Analysts also required models to have been involved in crashes with a minimum of 100 drivers or 20 seriously injured motorists, ensuring statistical relevance.
“To account for popularity and crash volume discrepancies, safety-rated models in the report had to be involved in crashes which included at least 100 drivers and/or 20 seriously-injured motorists.” The MUARC reported that the average risk of death or serious injury in the event of a crash for drivers in 2023 models is 43 per cent lower than in vehicles manufactured in 2001. Over the full analysis period, the overall safety of Australia’s light vehicle fleet improved by more than 50 per cent. This progress reflects advancements in safety technology and stricter testing standards imposed by ANCAP, the country’s crash-test authority.
Top-Rated SUV Models for Safety
The Toyota RAV4 stands out among mid-sized SUVs, a segment dominated by practical, family-friendly vehicles. Models produced between 2013 and 2019 earned four stars in crash avoidance and other road user safety, matching five stars in overall and driver safety. More recent RAV4s, built from 2019 onward, achieved five-star ratings across all four pillars. Standard safety features on the 2023 RAV4 include autonomous emergency braking with junction assist, automatic LED headlights, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, traffic-sign recognition, and auto high-beam functionality.
Available used RAV4s span a range of prices. A 2019 RAV4 GXL 2.5L Hybrid is listed at $24,990, while a 2023 GX 2.0L FWD starts at $33,989. Higher-spec 2022 models with all-wheel drive command premiums above $30,000, reflecting their advanced safety and hybrid efficiency.
Mazda CX-5 and Honda CR-V Compete for Safety Leadership
The Mazda CX-5, built between 2017 and 2023, earned five stars in all four safety categories. Earlier models from 2012 to 2017 scored highly, though they received four stars in other road user safety instead of five. Standard equipment on the 2023 CX-5 includes lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, active cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. A 2022 CX-5 Maxx Sport 2.5L 4WD is available for $22,888, while a 2023 G20 Maxx 2.0L FWD starts at $24,710.
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Honda CR-V and Other Family SUVs
The Honda CR-V, manufactured from 2012 to 2023, also secured top marks. It achieved five stars in driver and overall safety, with standard safety gear on the 2023 model including blind-spot monitoring, electronic stability control, and rear collision warning. A 2019 CR-V VTi-LX 1.5L 4WD is listed at $21,939, while a 2024 VTi L 1.5L 4WD starts at $34,990.
The Hyundai Santa Fe, a seven-seat SUV built between 2012 and 2018, earned five stars in driver, overall, and crash avoidance safety, with four stars in other road user safety. A 2017 Santa Fe Active 2.2L Diesel 4WD is available for $14,690, while a 2021 Elite 3.5L FWD lists at $26,800.
The Mitsubishi Outlander, produced between 2012 and 2021, received five stars in driver, overall, and other road user safety, with four stars in crash avoidance. In 2021, Mitsubishi upgraded its entire ADAS suite across the model line, adding adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. A 2020 Outlander ES ADAS 2.4L FWD is priced at $18,530, while a 2023 ES 2.5L 4WD starts at $23,990.
SUVs with Advanced Safety Technology
Standard safety features on the 2022 model include a reversing camera, autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, six airbags, and hill-start assist. Higher trims add surround-view cameras with object detection, front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and driver attention alerts. A 2020 X-Trail ST 2.5L FWD is available for $18,530, while a 2024 ST 2.5L 4WD starts at $27,467.
The Subaru Forester, produced from 2018 to 2023, achieved five stars in driver, overall, and crash avoidance, with four stars in other road user safety. Premium trims add surround-view cameras, adaptive high-beams, and rear AEB. A 2020 Forester 2.5i 4WD is listed at $22,990, while a 2024 2.5i 4WD starts at $29,990.
Jeep Cherokee and Wrangler Safety Ratings
Jeep’s Cherokee (2014–2022) and Wrangler (2007–2018) also earned top safety ratings. The Cherokee scored five stars across all four categories, with standard safety tech including AEB, automatic parking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. A 2010 Wrangler Sport 3.8L 4X4 Manual is available for $13,990, while a 2024 Wrangler Rubicon 2.0L 4XD lists at $59,888.
