The Hyundai Grand i10 has received a disappointing result after being tested for crash safety as part of the #SaferCarsForAfrica campaign.
The assessment was done by the Global New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) in partnership with the Automobile Association (AA). Global NCAP crash tests vehicles and rates them according to the amount of protection they provide for its occupants.
According to Global NCAP, the Grand i10 received a zero-star rating for adult occupant protection and a three-star rating for child occupant protection.
“The test found serious shortcomings in adult occupant protection, which resulted in high risk of life-threatening injuries,” said Global NCAP.
“The Hyundai’s standard safety equipment includes driver and passenger frontal airbags, but none for side body or head protection and no Electronic Stability Control (ESC).”
The crash test report noted the following concerns:
- Concerning weak protection for the driver’s chest in frontal impact test.
- High risk of non-recoverable chest injuries, leading to strong probability of life-threatening injuries for the adult in the side impact test. Maximum allowed injury levels in a critical body region such as the chest were exceeded, resulting in zero points for adult occupant protection.
- In the frontal impact test, the bodyshell and footwell were rated as unstable and could not withstand further loading.
- No standard side body or head protection and Seat Belt Reminder (SBR) only for the driver.
- No standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
The AA said this model is sold across African markets, including South Africa.
It explained that the Hyundai Grand i10, which is manufactured in India, does not include features that are widely recognised as essential for modern vehicle safety.
“It offers only basic safety equipment such as driver and passenger airbags. It does not come standard with side body or head protection, nor does it include Electronic Stability Control (ESC).”
However, the report stated that in the case of a frontal impact, protection to the driver’s and passenger’s head and neck was good.
Frontal crash protection includes as standard a frontal airbag, a belt pretensioner, and a belt loadlimiter for the driver and front passenger.
Pushing for better standards
“These results are deeply concerning and highlight a continuing pattern in which vehicles sold in Africa do not meet the same safety standards applied in other regions,” AA CEO Bobby Ramagwede.
He explained that a zero-star rating like this highlights an urgent need for manufacturers to commit to equal safety for all markets.
“This result underlines why Africa urgently needs stronger regulatory standards and greater manufacturer accountability.”
Richard Woods, the CEO of Global NCAP echoed Ramagwede’s sentiments.
“It is unacceptable to see the continued double standard on safety in low and middle income countries.”
“Democratising vehicle safety in Africa is a Global NCAP priority, and consumers deserve safer vehicles regardless of where in the world they live,” said Woods.
Watch the Hyundai Grand i10 Global NCAP crash test below.
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