Car of the Year 2004 - Security

Winner
Lexus

This is becoming a habit. Lexus has claimed our security award for five years.

Leading the charge is the range-topping LS430, which yet again picked up a perfect 100% score in our 2003 Security Supertest. In spite of our test team’s best efforts, we couldn’t break into the car inside the two-minute period laid down in the Home Office guidelines. Even if a thief could gain access to the cabin, the sophisticated immobiliser would stop them from driving away.

Other cars have achieved this feat, but none can match the list of security equipment which continues to earn the Lexus top marks. It’s this attention to detail which separates Lexus from the rest.

There are deadlocks, a visible VIN number, a full complement of marked parts, a secure boot and locking wheelnuts as standard. However, where Lexus really puts daylight between the LS430 and the opposition is in the fitment of laminated glass, which helps to eliminate the most common form of car-related crime – the smash-and-grab merchants who shatter car windows and steal items from inside. For the first time this year, we attack-tested laminated glazing and compared the results with standard glass. Where normal glass shattered in a matter of seconds, laminated glass held out for nearly 40sec.

Highly commended
Saab
SupaGlass