The sixth round of Global NCAP’s #SaferCarsForIndia crash test results are out and while this time there are no zero stars, the ratings range from three stars to as low as one-star. Four cars were tested in the sixth round – Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, Maruti Suzuki WagonR, Hyundai Santro and Datsun redi-GO. While the government mandate on safety features in cars has improved occupant protection, a lot of the cars sold in our market today still lag in safety in comparison to those sold internationally. The Ertiga faired well with a three-star result, Santro and WagonR received a two-star rating and the redi-GO – one-star. It is surprising that cars falling in the same price bracket as the Redigo have done better than it in the crash tests.
Global NCAP chose the entry-level version of each model and as a result, only the Ertiga was fitted with at least two airbags as standard while the other models offered only a driver airbag. The results highlight significant differences in adult occupant protection in cars that meet the latest Indian government vehicle technical regulations. Here’s what the tests found:
Maruti Suzuki Ertiga Global NCAP crash test rating
The Ertiga achieved three stars for adult occupant protection and three stars for child occupant protection. It comes with two airbags upfront in the cabin as standard. Ertiga’s structure was rated as a borderline unstable which Global NCAP says can and should be improved. Its footwell area was rated as unstable and pedals displacement showed risks to the lower legs of the driver. Head and neck protection for adult occupants was good. Chest protection for passenger was good and driver chest received marginal protection.
The Global NCAP test found that its passenger pretensioner did not work properly. Child occupant protection showed poor results for the 18-month-old dummy with the CRS installed forward-facing while global best practice indicates a rearward-facing position offers better protection for this age group. The Ertiga offers standard ISOFIX anchorages. Overall, the Ertiga achieved three stars for child occupant protection. The Ertiga offers standard two Seat Belt Reminders (SBR) in the front seats. The test findings suggest that the car should offer 3-point belts for all occupants.
Maruti Suzuki WagonR Global NCAP crash test rating
The WagonR achieved two stars for adult occupant protection and two stars for child occupant protection. The WagonR offers only a driver frontal airbag as standard. Its structure was rated as unstable. Its footwell area was rated as unstable and pedal displacement showed some risk to the lower legs of the driver. Head protection for adult occupants was good. Neck protection for driver was good and adequate for passenger.
Chest protection was weak for both front passengers leading to limitations in the SBR points achieved by this model. Child occupant protection showed poor results mainly for the 3-year-old dummy as its Child Restraint System (CRS) broke during the impact and the head impacted the front seat. Chest protection for the 18month old dummy was low despite being installed rearward facing.
The WagonR offers standard two SBR in the front seats but its points were not considered for the final rating as the front passenger chest received weak protection. The test findings suggest that the car should offer 3-point belts for all occupants.
Datsun redi-GO Global NCAP crash test rating
The RediGo achieved just one star for adult occupant protection and two stars for child occupant protection. The RediGo comes with a driver-side airbag as standard. Global NCAP rated the redi-GO’s structure as unstable, along with the footwell area. Head protection for driver was adequate due to steering wheel displacements. Head protection for passenger was good. Driver and passenger neck protection was good. Chest protection was poor for the driver and marginal for the passenger.
Global NCAP in its findings writes that the poor protection of the driver chest means that there is a high probability of life-threatening injuries. Poor protection for any of the critical body regions, in this case the chest, limits the star rating to one star for the adults. The RediGo does not offer SBR in the front seats and, even if it had, the result would remain a single star. SBR points are limited as the chest is brown or red. Child occupant protection showed poor results mainly because of the contact of the head of the 18-month-old with the front seat and for the exposed head of the 3-year-old dummy during the impact. The static rear 3 point belts created difficulties in the proper and safe installation of a CRS. The test findings suggest that the car should offer 3-point belts with automatic retractors for all occupants.
Responding to the Global NCAP crash test result of the redi-GO, Datsun India issued an official statement, saying: “Safety is the key priority for Datsun. The Datsun redi-GO meets all safety standards and regulations in India and we will continue to invest in the brand towards offering high value and competitiveness.”
In July 2019, Datsun India updated the redi-GO with new safety features including rear parking sensor, high-speed warning, Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), and Seat Belt Reminder across its variants in line with the new safety regulations.
Hyundai Santro Global NCAP crash test rating
The Santro achieved two stars for adult occupant protection and two stars for child occupant protection. The Santro offers only a driver frontal airbag as standard. Its structure was rated as unstable. Its footwell area was rated as unstable. Head and neck protection for adult occupants was good. Chest protection was weak for the driver and marginal for the passenger leading to a limitation of the SBR points achieved by this model for the driver. Child occupant protection showed poor results mainly because the manufacturers did not recommend a CRS for the test.
Watch: Global NCAP crash test of Made in India Maruti Ertiga, WagonR, Hyundai Santro, Datsun Redigo
The dynamic performance was poor as the head of the 3-year-old showed contact during the impact. There was limited protection for the 3-year-old neck while the 18-month-old received acceptable protection. The Santro offers standard driver SBR but its points were not considered for the final rating as the chest of the driver received weak protection. The test findings suggest that the car should offer 3-point belts for all occupants.