Top five cheapest used cars with AEB

Since the turn of the century, the biggest automotive active safety advancement has been the evolution of autonomous emergency braking (AEB).

AEB started to filter into the  car market about 15 years ago, and now for less than $15,000 you can afford a fairly fresh example of a used car with this technology.

AEB gives you peace of mind knowing that those nasty nose-to-tail urban crashes are largely off the menu. AEB helps avoid or mitigate such a crash by using cameras to sense when you are closing in too fast on a stopped car or object ahead and applying emergency braking to, hopefully, stop you hitting it.

It’s a good thing to have when buying a used car, especially for newer drivers.

AEB was initially more commonly known as ‘city AEB’, meaning that the systems would only work up to speeds of about 5km/h to 30km/h. This is the only AEB system available on our top five candidates mentioned here.

More recent AEB technology than you’ll see here has become much more sophisticated. The newer-generation AEB will not only help you avoid a rear-end shunt from any speed but may also help you avoid hitting someone.

The technology has improved to the point that AEB can operate at inter-urban or freeway speeds, with improved sensitivity to include braking at night, braking for pedestrians and cyclists and braking when about to cross oncoming traffic.

Our top five, taking into account a five-star safety rating, good overall value for money as well as the all-important AEB, includes a couple of micro hatches, a light hatch and wagon, a small hatch and a prestige medium SUV.

We excluded vehicles that slip under $15,000 but have high kilometres (more than 150,000km).

One such vehicle worth an honourable mention is the 2012-2014 Subaru Liberty (and the related Subaru Outback).

While these models come equipped with both city and inter-urban AEB, there are very few available for less than $15,000 with low kilometres – most have much more than 200,000km on board. If you’re prepared to spend closer to $20K, there’s plenty of low-kilometre examples available though.

Here’s our top five…

The Volkswagen Up! is a bit of a left-field entrant, not all that popular when new and only sold for a couple of years – but it is by far the cheapest car with AEB available in Australia, with a nine examples for sale on carsales at the time of writing. And it’s by no means a bad one.

From as little as about $6000, you can buy a good example of this compact three-cylinder city car with less than 150,000km under its belt in either a two-door or four-door hatch version.

The Up! is a car that punches above its weight with a lot of clever engineering, technology and, of course, safety – and is also one with tidy dynamics and is fun to drive.

The downsides are that it does not have side curtain airbags (just dual front and front-side airbags) and there is no auto option. Bluetooth, cruise control and sat-nav were optional equipment, too.

Take a look at Volkswagen Up! listings on carsales

You’ll spend around double the cost of an ordinary example of a Volkswagen Up! to get into a much more modern Kia Picanto S, but from around $13,000 you arguably do get a lot more car.

This micro Korean hatch has smartphone mirroring, cruise control, automatic headlights and the option of a four-speed auto (over the standard five-speed manual). And it will have several years of its seven-year factory warranty left.

The powertrain is not nearly as refined or enjoyable to use as that of the Up!, although the Picanto’s ride and handling compromise is good. The Picanto S (released in May 2017) did not have AEB fitted until June 2017 production – so check that the car you’re looking at has the AEB hardware.

Take a look at Kia Picanto S listings on carsales

If you want to get into a fairly fresh compact five-door hatch or wagon with the safety of city AEB, then the third-generation Skoda Fabia is a compelling option.

A multiple winner of carsales’ Best First Car award, the Skoda Fabia has polished dynamics and nicely calibrated engine options – 66kW or 81kW four-cylinder engines, tied to manual or DSG transmissions – across the range, although the Skoda’s sporty bias is evidenced by a firm ride.

Of course, there are plenty of modern conveniences as standard, including smartphone mirroring.

While all models have city AEB and multi-collision braking as standard, a driver drowsiness alert was only available as part of an option pack. So check on the vehicle’s listing whether the pack is included.

Take a look at Skoda Fabia listings on carsales

Once Australia’s top-selling car and still very popular among buyers, the Mazda3 is now good buying if you want the assurance of AEB as part of the deal.

This 2.0-litre small hatch offers excellent dynamics and performance in a well-packaged, comfortable interior and is available with six-speed auto or manual transmission.

This third-gen Mazda3 is an attractive option – just be aware the entry-level Neo model did not have city AEB unless optioned with the safety pack (which also includes blind-spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror).

However, the Neo did follow the rest of the range by getting AEB standard from the 2016 update.

Take a look at Mazda3 listings on carsales

Safety pioneer Volvo was the first car-maker to commercially offer city AEB standard on its first-generation Volvo XC60 SUV in 2009.

While 2017 XC60 models now still sell for upwards of $30K, depreciation has worked its wonders with older XC60s.

For under $15,000 you should be able to comfortably buy a pre-facelift 2011-2012 XC60.

The XC60 range back in 2011-2012 comprised 10 models and four engine choices, from the price-leading front-drive  XC60 T5 to the 3.0 turbo-petrol six AWD.

The XC60 has excellent packaging, is versatile and all powertrain options offer good performance and economy.

By MY12, you not only had city AEB but also blind-spot monitoring as standard, as well as active cruise control and lane departure warning on some models. If you can spring the extra $2000-$4000 to buy a MY2013 XC60, you’ll get an improved AEB that works up to 50km/h.

Take a look at Volvo XC60 listings on carsales