Made-in-India Hyundai Grand i10 Fails Global NCAP Crash Test: Scores 0 Stars
In a concerning development for car safety, the Made-in-India Hyundai Grand i10, which is exported to South Africa, has received a dismal zero-star safety rating from the Global New Car Assessment Program (Global NCAP). Tested under the #SaferCarsForAfrica campaign, the popular hatchback from Hyundai failed to provide adequate protection for adult occupants, raising serious safety questions.
Despite being equipped with basic safety features like dual frontal airbags, seat belt pretensioners, and ISOFIX child mounts, the vehicle’s performance in crash tests was rated as poor, with the safety watchdog highlighting a “high risk of life-threatening injuries.”
Adult Occupant Protection: A Complete Failure
The Grand i10 scored 0 points out of a possible 34 for adult occupant protection. The breakdown of the crash test results reveals critical vulnerabilities:
- Frontal Impact: While head and neck protection for the driver and passenger were rated as ‘Good’, the driver’s chest protection was rated ‘Poor’, and the passenger’s chest protection was ‘Adequate’.
- Side Impact: The vehicle performed poorly in the side movable deformable barrier test, with safety levels rated as ‘Poor’, exceeding the highest allowable threshold for injury.
- Structural Integrity: The overall body shell and footwell area were rated as unstable, indicating that the structure was incapable of withstanding further loading.
- Driver Injuries: Knee protection for the driver was rated as ‘Marginal’, adding to the list of safety shortcomings.
Child Occupant Protection: A Mixed Bag
While the adult safety rating was alarming, the Grand i10 fared slightly better in child safety, securing 3 stars. The car scored 28.57 points out of 49 in this category.
- Crash Test Performance: Child seats for both a 3-year-old and an 18-month-old were installed rearward-facing using ISOFIX anchorages. This setup successfully prevented head exposure and offered full protection during the frontal impact.
- Installation Scores: The CRS (Child Restraint System) installation score stood at 4.57 out of 12.
- Vehicle Assessment: The vehicle assessment score was 0 out of 13 points, indicating a lack of critical safety features for child occupants beyond the basic seat mounts.
Global NCAP’s Verdict
The Global NCAP report explicitly stated that the model has “serious shortcomings” in adult occupant protection. It is important to note that these specific results apply to the South African market model. However, since the car is manufactured in India, it raises valid concerns about the safety standards of export-spec models produced in the country.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why did the Hyundai Grand i10 get a 0-star rating? The car received a 0-star rating due to poor adult occupant protection, specifically poor chest protection for the driver and an unstable body structure that could not withstand further loading.
Is the Indian Hyundai Grand i10 safe? The Global NCAP test was conducted on the South African spec model, which is made in India. While safety features may vary by market, the structural instability found in the test is a significant concern for the platform.
How did the Grand i10 perform in child safety? The car performed better in child safety, earning a 3-star rating. The rearward-facing child seats offered full protection during frontal impacts.
What safety features were present in the tested car? The tested model was equipped with driver and passenger frontal airbags, seat belt pretensioners, load limiters, seat belt reminders, and ISOFIX child seat mounts.
What does an “unstable body shell” mean? An unstable body shell means the car’s structure collapsed or deformed significantly during the crash and would not be able to protect passengers in a more severe accident.
You can add more to this story by commenting below.
