The results for the latest round of Global NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme) crash tests have just been released, and the new-gen Hyundai Santro was tested too. The Santro secured a two-star rating (scoring 6.74 out of 17 points) for adult occupant protection. The tests showed that while head and neck protection for adult occupants was good, chest protection was weak for the driver and marginal for the front passenger. The Hyundai’s body structure and footwell were also rated unstable.
In terms of child occupant protection, the hatchback received a two-star rating (scoring 15 out of 49 points). As the model tested did not have an Isofix mount for a child safety seat, the protection provided by the seatbelt-based child restraint system (child seat) was poor. Curiously, Hyundai does not have a recommended child restraint system and this is part of the reason why the Santro had a poor showing in this area. For a three-year-old occupant, the head and chest protection was poor, while for an 18-month-old child, head and chest protection was acceptable.
As is the norm for Global NCAP, the test was conducted on the base-spec version of the Santro that is equipped with a driver's side airbag, ABS with EBD and driver seatbelt reminder. Launched in 2018, the Hyundai Santro complies with India’s latest crash-test standards.
The latest round of tests was conducted under Global NCAP’s #SaferCarsForIndia campaign that was introduced in 2014. Ever since, Global NCAP has crash-tested over 30 Indian cars.
Alongside the Hyundai Santro, Global NCAP also published the crash-test results for the second-gen Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, Maruti Suzuki Wagon R, and Datsun Redigo.
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