Small SUVs are a favourite with first-time buyers, young families and seniors downsizing, looking for style and space on a budget, but are they safe?
Most new vehicles entering Australia are crash-tested by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) or its partner, Euro NCAP, and are given a star rating based on their performance.
However, what the star system doesn’t cover is how well these vehicles protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
Unfortunately, in many cases, the news isn’t good. Without tinting or sunscreen, prolonged time behind the wheel of some new cars could be increasing your risk of getting skin cancer.
Drive has examined the top 10 best-selling light and small SUVs on sale in Australia right now, and most do not offer high levels of UV protection on all of their windows.
There are two types of UV radiation that can affect our skin: UVA and UVB.
The shorter UVB rays are the ones that mainly cause sunburn, while the longer UVA rays lead to things such as skin ageing, wrinkles, and also sunburn.
Prolonged exposure to both types can lead to skin cancer.
This is because windscreens are often made of laminated glass, which has a tough plastic layer bonded between two panes of glass, allowing it to block around 98 per cent of UVA radiation.
Then there’s tempered glass, which is typically used in side and rear windows as well as sunroofs. This allows more UVA into the car, with the degree of protection varying dramatically with thickness.
| Make | Model | UV protection (% blocked) |
| Chery | Tiggo 4 | "UV blocking properties" |
| GWM | Haval Jolion | Windscreen 99 per cent Front windows 61.4 per cent Rear windows 59.1 (standard), 94.1 per cent (tinted) Tailgate 56.9 (standard), 93.2 per cent (tinted) Sunroof 99 per cent |
| Hyundai | Kona | Entry model >52 per cent Elite and Premium solar glass >65 per cent Elite and Premium privacy glass >90 per cent |
| Kia | Stonic (S only) | Windscreen and front 28.88 per cent Rear and tailgate 26.93 per cent |
| Mazda | CX-3 CX-30 | Windscreen 100 per cent Other windows at least 65 per cent |
| MG | ZS | "A degree of protection" |
| Suzuki | Jimny | "Unable to publicly disclose the information" |
| Toyota | Corolla Cross Yaris Cross | TBC |
For example, Kia has confirmed to Drive that only the mid-spec and top-spec grades of its Stonic small SUV have a UV-insulated windscreen; the entry-level S does not.
As a result, the windscreen and front windows on the S only offer 28.88 per cent protection, and the back glass and rear windscreen even less, with just 26.93 per cent of harmful rays blocked.
A spokesperson for Kia said it was “purely down to cost”.
The Kona, however, from sister company Hyundai, fares better, with 52 per cent of UV rays blocked in the cheapest version with slightly tinted windows, and 65 per cent in the higher Elite and Premium grades on the front, which is solar glass, and 90 per cent on the rear, which is privacy glass.
The Mazda CX-3 and CX-30 small SUVs offer the best UV protection. The windscreen in each has 100 per cent coverage, while the rear windows, quarters and tailgate have at least 65 per cent.
Both vehicles, especially the CX-3, are ageing now; however, Mazda says the protection rates offered by its newer models, such as the incoming new CX-5 medium SUV, are higher.
GWM provided data for all of the Jolion's windows, with the rear the most vulnerable, but protection is still as high as 56.9 per cent on the standard glass, improved to 93.2 per cent if tinted.
In contrast, MG told us its top-spec ZS Essence is “equipped with privacy glass on the second row and rear doors, offering a degree of protection against…UV.
“For vehicles fitted with the panoramic sunroof option, additional protection is provided, complemented by a retractable sunshade.”
It couldn’t, however, tell us to what degree the windows are protected, nor mention anything about the lower Vibe or Excite grades whatsoever.
Similarly, Chery could only confirm the Tiggo 4's windscreen has "UV blocking properties", but couldn't provide specific numbers.
And Suzuki said it "is unable to publicly disclose this information".
Toyota still has yet to provide the requested data. This story will be updated when a response is received.
Is UV-blocking glass worth the cost?
Based on these results, it would seem the answer is yes.
Not everyone can afford to spend more money on a higher variant, so using a tint, window sock, or something like Snap Shades would be a much more affordable option.
According to Emma Glassenbury, head of SunSmart at Cancer Council Victoria, if you’re going to be in the car for extended periods, even just covering your skin or using sunscreen is a good idea.
“Both episodic and cumulative exposure to UV radiation are associated with an increased risk of skin cancer,” she told Drive.
“If you spend long periods of time in a car, use a combination of sun protection measures such as a long-sleeved shirt with a collar, sunglasses and apply SPF50+ sunscreen on any exposed skin.”
Asked if the car industry should be doing more to protect its customers, or at least make them aware of the risk, Consumer Affairs Victoria said buyers should shop around and really do their research before making a purchase.
"Price should not be the only consideration when buying a new car. Buyers are encouraged to compare multiple makes, models and features, read reviews and check safety ratings," a spokesperson said.
"Buyers can discuss purchasing optional extras with the dealership to include features to suit the environment they will be driving in. This includes accessories like tints and shades to protect from UV."
A born-and-bred newshound, Kathryn has worked her way up through the ranks reporting for, and later editing, two renowned UK regional newspapers and websites, before moving on to join the digital newsdesk of one of the world’s most popular newspapers – The Sun. More recently, she’s done a short stint in PR in the not-for-profit sector, and led the news team at Wheels Media.
