The popular Hyundai Creta SUV was part of the latest round of Global NCAP crash tests where the midsize SUV secured a 3-star rating. For the crash test, the safety watchdog used the base E variant of the Creta, which misses out on certain features like side and curtain airbags.
- Hyundai Creta base E variant tested by Global NCAP
- Also rated 3 stars for child occupant protection
- Hyundai i20, Toyota Urban Cruiser crash tested as well
Hyundai Creta crash test result: 3-star rating explained
Subject to Global NCAP’s frontal offset crash test at 64kph, the Hyundai Creta managed to secure a 3-star rating for adult protection. Global NCAP’s report marks the car’s body shell as ‘unstable’ and not capable of ‘withstanding further loadings’. The car’s footrest was also rated unstable.
The Creta’s overall score for adult protection was eight points out of a maximum 17. The protection for the driver's head was noted as ‘adequate’, and for the passenger it was ‘good’. Both the driver and co-driver dummies registered ‘good’ protection for the neck, while chest protection was marginal for the driver, and ‘good’ for the co-driver.
Protection for the driver and front passenger’s knees was rated as ‘marginal’, with Global NCAP noting that they could come in contact with ‘dangerous structures’ behind the dashboard.
The Hyundai Creta also secured a 3-star rating for child occupant protection, with 28.29 points out of a maximum 49. The base variant of the Creta does not get ISOFIX child seat anchorages, and hence, the child seats had to be secured with seat belts. The safety watchdog noted that the seat belt did not prevent excessive forward movement of the head for the three-year-old front-facing dummy, and the chest protection was registered as ‘weak’. The 1.5-year-old rearward-facing dummy, however, had good protection to the head and chest.
In its report, Global NCAP further highlights that the Hyundai Creta does not come with a standard three-point seatbelt for all passengers, and also misses on standard ISOFIX child seat anchorages, which are only offered from the SX Executive trim onwards.
The Kia Seltos, which is based on the same K2 platform as the Hyundai Creta, also secured a 3-star rating in Global NCAP crash test conducted in 2020.
Also See: Hyundai Creta, i20 & Toyota Urban Cruiser Global NCAP crash test video
Hyundai Creta: safety features
As standard, the Creta features dual airbags and ABS with EBD. Side and curtain airbags are available only on the top-spec SX (O) variant, while Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), child seat anchorages, and rear disc brakes are available from SX Executive trim onwards.
Other recent GNCAP crash tests
GNCAP has also crash tested the Hyundai i20 (3 stars) and the Toyota Urban Cruiser, the latter scoring a more impressive 4 stars. Before this, GNCAP crash tested the Honda Jazz and the fourth-gen Honda City, both of which secured a 4-star safety rating. You can read more about them here. The compact-SUV duo of Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger also came away with a strong showing of 4 stars from GNCAP recently.
That said, Global NCAP tests are set to get tougher in the coming months. From July 2022, Global NCAP will update its testing process to factor in ESC and also conduct side impact and pedestrian protection tests. The inclusion of ESC is a very welcome move as it brings focus on active safety (prevent an accident) features.
The Indian government is also making changes to the minimum safety requirement in cars as it recently released a draft notification mandating six airbags from October 2022. There are also plans to make ESC and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) mandatory in the coming years.
Hyundai Creta facelift and rivals
Hyundai is set to launch a mid-cycle update for the Creta by the end of this year. The facelifted model features major revisions to the exterior, including an all-new front-end design. It is likely that Hyundai will also introduce Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in the facelifted Creta, along with other features. The carmaker might also make six airbags standard, going in-line with the aforementioned draft notification.
The Creta rivals the likes of the MG Astor, Skoda Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun and Nissan Kicks, all of which are yet to be crash tested by Global NCAP.
What do you think of the Hyundai Creta's crash test rating? Let us know in the comments below.
Also see:
2020 Hyundai Creta review, test drive
2020 Hyundai Creta: Which variant to buy?
Hyundai Creta iMT, Knight Edition prices revealed