Chrysler Group UK has dismissed Which? Car’s latest survey that includes its Voyager and Dodge Caliber in the top 10 cars to “leave on the forecourt”.

Over the past 12 months the consumer watchdog magazine received 99,360 responses from its members, detailing faults on cars up to eight years old.

Which? Car stated that after it carried out its own safety inspections the Caliber displayed a number of “worrying problems”.

Nick O’Donnell, PR manager at Chrysler Group, took particular issue with Which? Car’s own take on the Caliber’s safety features.

“Which? Car’s results for the Caliber seem out of kilter with the latest Euro NCAP results. The Caliber was awarded four stars for adult occupant protection and four stars for child occupant protection,” said O’Donnell.

When asked whether Chrysler would respond to the bad press, O’Donnell, said: “I don’t think so. We’ll just be labelling the Caliber with its good results from the Euro NCAP tests.” Chrysler Group has been in contact with Which? Car and had meetings with the magazine to try and resolve the confusion.

General Motors’ Chevrolet Matiz was also given a scathing review.

“We think that for a car design that’s almost 10 years old, the Matiz stands up pretty well in the Euro NCAP tests,” said Denis Chick, manager of product communications for GM UK and Ireland. The Matiz was last tested by Euro NCAP in 2005, it received three stars (one with a strike through) for adult occupant protection, three stars for child occupant protection and two stars for pedestrian protection.

“The Matiz is Chevrolet’s second best-selling car. We don’t think being included in the results will present a problem,” added Chick.

Which? Car also revealed its top 20 best buys for 2007, praising Honda and Mazda for models which customers could “drive off the forecourt with confidence”.

Which? Car top 10 cars to steer clear of

Chevrolet Matiz
Chrysler Voyager
Dodge Caliber
Citroën Saxo (1996-2003)
Fiat Punto (1999-2006)
Peugeot 106 (1996-2003)
Rover 200/25 (1995-2005)
Citroën Xsara (1997-2004)
Renault Megane (1996-2003)
Land Rover Freelander (1997-2006)

Which? Car 2007 20 best buys

Honda Jazz
Mazda2
Toyota Yaris
BMW 1 Series
Mazda3
Volkswagen Golf
BMW 3 Series
Honda Accord
Lexus IS
Toyota Prius
Audi A6
Jaguar XJ
Lexus GS
Nissan Note
Renault Modus
Ford S-Max
Honda FR-V
Toyota Verso
Mazda MX-5
Volkswagen Eos