Global NCAP’s new and enhanced testing protocol includes side impact protection tests.
It’s been just over a year since the new Global NCAP crash test protocol came into effect. Under the new protocol, a vehicle receives a 5-star rating only if it gets the required scores while also conforming to the ESC, pedestrian protection, side impact and seat belt reminder requirements for Global NCAP. So far, just 10 made-in-India models have been tested under this new protocol and their rankings are as follows.
8. Maruti Suzuki Ignis – 16.48 points (1 star)
Under the new testing regime, the Ignis has received an overall rating of 1 star, scoring 16.48 points in the adult occupant protection test out of a maximum of 34 points, which makes it the lowest scoring model here. The high-riding hatch scored 6.91 points out of a possible 17 in the side impact tests with a deformable barrier. However, the new side pole impact test was not conducted as the Ignis does not have any form of side head protection (curtain airbags) even as an option. Furthermore, the Ignis, at the time of testing, lacked ESC as standard and did not comply with the UN127 or GTR9 pedestrian safety norms. When it comes to child occupant protection, the Ignis scored a lowly 3.86 points out of a possible 49 (zero stars).
Meanwhile, the Ignis’ body shell was rated as unstable and incapable of withstanding further loadings. Standard safety features on the Ignis are dual airbags, ESC and ISOFIX child seat mounts.
7. Maruti Suzuki Swift – 19.19 points (1 star)
Maruti’s Grand i10 Nios rival, the Swift scored 19.19 points out of a possible 34 points in the adult occupant protection test, giving it a 1-star rating. As for the side deformable barrier test, it scored 12.9 points out of 17, while it scored 16.68 points out of a possible 49 for child occupant protection.
Global NCAP also noted that the footwell area as well as the bodyshell were unstable, and were not capable of withstanding any further loadings. It also did not comply with the pedestrian protection norms. As standard, the Swift comes equipped with dual airbags, ESC (not standard at the time of testing) and ISOFIX mounting points for child seats.
6. Maruti Suzuki Wagon R – 19.69 points (1 star)
The Maruti Suzuki Wagon R scored 19.69 points out of a maximum of 34 points for adult occupant protection, including 13 out of 17 points in the side deformable barrier test, giving it a 1-star rating. There was no side pole impact test because the car does not have curtain airbags and it didn’t meet the pedestrian safety norms as well. As for child protection, the Wagon R managed a zero star rating, scoring 3.40 out of 49 points.
Furthermore, the footwell and bodyshell were also rated as ‘unstable’ and unable to withstand any further loadings. The Wagon R comes standard with safety equipment like dual airbags, ESC (not standard at the time of testing) and seat belt reminders.
5. Maruti Suzuki S Presso – 20.03 points (1 star)
Like the Wagon R, Swift and Ignis, Maruti’s S Presso too only managed a 1 star for adult occupant protection, scoring 20.03 points out of a maximum of 34. In the side deformable crash test, it managed to score 11.9 points out of a possible 17. However, it was not subjected to the pole-impact test, since it did not have any form of side head protection, even as an option. For child occupant protection, it was awarded just 3.52 points out of a possible 49 (zero stars).
The testers also mentioned that the S Presso’s bodyshell was unstable and not capable of withstanding further loadings. The S Presso comes standard with dual airbags and seat belt reminders, while ESC is reserved for the AMT variants.
4. Maruti Suzuki Alto K 10 – 21.67 points (2 stars)
Despite being its smallest model, the Alto K10 is the highest scoring Maruti model in this list. The Alto K10 scored 21.67 points out of a possible 34 points in the adult occupant protection tests and secured a 2-star rating. It scored 12.4 out of 17 points in the side deformable barrier test. Global NCAP noted that the bodyshell was stable, and capable of withstanding further loadings, although the footwell area was rated unstable. However, the K10, like other Marutis here, doesn’t offer curtain airbags, and hence, it wasn’t subjected to the side pole impact test and it didn’t comply with the new pedestrian safety norms either.
As far as child occupant protection is concerned, the Alto K10 secured just 3.52 points out of a possible 49 for a zero-star rating. Standard safety features on the Alto K10 include dual airbags and seat belt reminders.
3. Mahindra Scorpio N- 29.25 points (5 stars)
Mahindra’s Scorpio N SUV scored an impressive 29.25 points out of 34 in adult occupant protection tests, resulting in its 5-star rating. Furthermore, in the side impact test with a deformable barrier, the Scorpio N had good protection with a score of 16 points out of 17 and it received an ‘OK’ rating for the side pole impact tests. Meanwhile, in the child occupant protection tests, the Scorpio N scored 28.93 points out of 49, earning a 3-star rating.
Global NCAP mentioned that the bodyshell and the footwell area of the Scorpio N were stable and capable of withstanding further loadings. The Scorpio N also met the new pedestrian safety requirements. As for standard safety features, the Scorpio N packs in two airbags, seatbelt reminders and ESC (optional on the Z2 and Z4 trims, standard on others).
2. Volkswagen Taigun/Skoda Kushaq – 29.64 points (5 stars)
Being built on the same platform, these midsize SUVs from Volkswagen and Skoda have identical scores. The Kushaq and Taigun were the first cars to be tested under the updated testing protocol and they received a 5-star rating, scoring 29.64 points in the adult occupant protection test out of 34. Global NCAP used a two-airbag version of the two SUVs, while a six-airbag version was used for the side pole impact test. In the former, the two scored 14.5 points out of a possible 17, while they received an ‘OK’ rating for the latter. Both SUVs also met the UN 127 pedestrian safety norms, but not the GTR9 norms.
Additionally, they also achieved a 5-star rating in the child occupant protection test, scoring 42 points out of 49. The testers also rated the bodyshell of the SUVs as stable and capable of withstanding further loadings. Standard safety kit on both includes dual airbags, ESC, traction control and ISOFIX child seat mounts.
1. Volkswagen Virtus/Skoda Slavia – 29.71 points (5 stars)
Much like their SUVs siblings, the Volkswagen Virtus and Skoda Slavia also scored a 5-star safety rating. However, as a result of a higher adult occupant rating, the sedans rank higher on our list. The midsize sedans scored 29.71 points out of a total of 34 in adult occupant protection tests, including 14.2 points out of a possible 17 in the side impact test with a deformable barrier. Furthermore, in the side pole impact tests, they both received an ‘OK’ rating. However, unlike the SUVs, the sedans passed both the UN 127 and GTR9 pedestrian safety norms.
The Slavia and Virtus also aced the child occupant protection tests as they received 42 points out of a total of 49, earning a 5-star rating. GNCAP’s report also mentioned that the bodyshell and the footwell area of the Slavia and Virtus were stable and capable of withstanding further loadings. Both sedans pack in standard safety kit like dual airbags, ESC, traction control and ISOFIX child seat mounts.
