New car smell is toxic: Best and worst cars revealed

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By Tim Beissmann | February 16th, 2012

A US-based consumer health researcher and product watchdog says the famous ‘new car smell’ is toxic, and has developed a list of the 10 most and least healthy vehicles based on the materials used in their interiors.

The study, conducted by non-profit group the Ecology Center and published on its HealthyStuff website, found more than 275 different chemicals in vehicle interiors, including some associated with cancer, birth defects, impaired learning and liver toxicity. Long-term exposure to small amounts of these pollutants can negatively impact health, and children are at greater risk of developing health problems from exposure.

Despite this, there is no mandatory testing or regulation of chemicals used in vehicles.

The study tested 204 vehicles from the 2011/2012 model years, adding to its database of more than 900 vehicles that it started in 2006.

The best car in the latest round of testing was the 2012 Honda Civic. The study explains the new Civic is free of bromine-based flame retardants, uses PVC-free fabrics and trim materials, and has low levels of heavy metals and other metal allergens.

Honda continues to be the top-rated manufacturer for healthy interiors based on the data collected since the Ecology Center started its research, although Hyundai-Kia has been the best performer for the past two years.

The Toyota Prius and Honda CR-Z also rated highly in the 2012 study, while Volkswagen, Mitsubishi and Ford were among the best improvers for the year.

At the other end of the scale, the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport (ASX in Australia), Chrysler 200 and Kia Soul were all rated ‘high’ for interior chemical toxicity. The study explains the Mitsubishi contains bromine- and antimony-based flame retardants in the seats and centre console, chromium-treated leather, and more than 400ppm lead in seat materials.

The study shows the majority of manufacturers are cleaning up their interiors. Less than one per cent of pre-2006 vehicles had PVC-free interiors. This year, the number has risen to 17 per cent. Asian manufacturers are leading the shift away from PVC interior components, followed by Europe, with the US dragging its feet.

Note: US-spec vehicles tested. Interior materials may differ for vehicles sold in Australia.

Guest

damn…. i love the new car smell

FanBoi

No that’s not actually too bad….all new car sells men/women will die of cancer one day…. well deserved I’d say!

None

Pathetic comment from a pathetic person!
Ozedude

F-wit!

Gan Tan

Its the worst smell in the world. I had my car garaged for over 3 days with windows open to get rid of the foulness

UniversityOfGoogle

Benefits of driving a Great Wall

vrx26

Another useless reasearch. Everywhere you go and everywhere you are exposure to harmful chemicals is always a possibility it depends on your level of exposure and for how long and I guess eveybody who can read knows about this and its nothing new. What will they think of next – probably turning the steering wheel too much will cost rheumatoid arhtrhitis that’s why you should not drive around bends. Or what about driving while sittting is not good for your back so they need to come up with a solution that you can drive standing up or lying down. Just another waste of money they should instead reasearch how too manufacture safe products for these cars. If they will just put out a scare campaign then I don’t see the point of this kind of research.
Adelaide_john

Wow – new car salesmen now have a bona fide occupational health and safety issue !
also
Didnt Volvo pledge a few years ago to have their cars devoid of the new car smell?
Realtor

Good to see Honda leading at something again!
Snap

I agree Volkswagen smell terrible..
Peanut

As I am very concerned about everyone’s safety and are such a good guy I will volunteer to drive everyone’s new car until the new car smell has gone. I will absorb all the chemicals for you and hand you back your car a few months later.
I think the most expensive cars have the most chemicals so I will start with them 1st.

This is a community service.
jekyl & hyde

not many people know this,but in many new car interiors left blazing away in the sun on dealer lots actually produce gases which end of flooging up the inside windscreens in some white haze,which can’t be good for you.its a wonder the likes of a.c.a. or today tonight don’t prick their ears up at this story….
Anonymous

That Civic might be top of the class for lack of toxins. But the car is so boring and uninspiring you’re at high risk of dying of boredom!
Guest2

There are better things for them to study, like toxic emission from beds and mattresses coz people sleeps 7-10 hours on it everyday. What a waste of resources.
Anonymous

New car smell is intoxicating, so if i ever get that new car at least i’ll die a happy man : )
Jio

Hmmm new car smell
Ted

Have you every driven or been in a Kia Cerato, it just makes you feel ill. My mate has just bought a SLI Hatch and if is bad and actually I felt a liitle druggie the last time I was in his car for any period.