Vehicles’ safety ratings (Global NCAP) don’t make it on top of our checklist while buying a new car. What is the first thing that comes to our mind when we think of buying a new car, whatever it may be, I’m sure you won’t even think about its safety ratings and safety features? The Indian automobile market is grossly underrated from a safety perspective.
We still don’t have basic safety requirements mandatory in some car’s basic models. Not so interested car manufacturers, Indian policy, and lack of information among Indian customers are prime reasons for this current situation. Indian customers primarily had a tendency to buy cars with a bunch of features, types of equipment, and economy.
However in recent few years, Indian mentality is changing, Things are now taking a turn. The new generation of youth is now focused on safety ratings and safety-related features rather than just having a good-looking car equipped with a bunch of worthless features.
Tata and Mahindra have identified this shift and made some extraordinary models like Tata’s Nexon and Altro and Mahindra’s xuv300 which earned a 5-star rating at the global NCAP rating test.
To those who don’t know what NCAP is, NCAP stands for ‘New Car Assessment Programme’. Basically, This programme provides cars crashworthiness information, crash testing, and reporting the results.
Even though this shift is taking place rapidly it’s hard to forget previous cars that scored almost nothing on the NCAP test. Let’s look at some of the most popular Indian cars that failed in the NCAP test.
Following is the list of the cars that failed in the Global NCAP test which are currently available.
EECO
Manufacturer: Maruti-Suzuki
Global NCAP rating:
Adult Protection: 0 star
Child Protection: 2 star
Maruti’s Eeco is also known as a people carrier, the Eeco have been one of the worst performers in the Global NCAP tests repeatedly. The Maruti Suzuki Eeco scored zero stars for adult occupation protection in the NCAP crash tests.
The report of NCAP crash-tests determined that the chest protection for the driver side was not strong. Moreover, the knees of the driver were subjected to impact due to not-so-good design. However, in the child restraints category, the car earned a 2 stars rating.
SCORPIO
Manufacturer: Mahindra
Global NCAP rating:
Adult Protection: 0 star
Child Protection: 0 star
Yes, The Scorpio failed in the NCAP test and it was miserable. The very popular Indian SUV, the Mahindra Scorpio did get a not-so-popular result at the Global NCAP ratings. The car scored poor zero stars for adult occupation protection in the NCAP crash tests. The driver’s chest and head had quite less protection while the passenger’s chest had a marginal protection rating.
The SUV scored zero stars in the Adult Occupancy Protection as well as zero for the Child Restraints category.
EON
Manufacturer: Hyundai
Global NCAP rating:
Adult Protection: 0 star
Child Protection: 2 star
The Hyundai Eon in its standard basic version did not get any airbags. The Global NCAP when tested The car, It scored zero stars in the adult occupation protection category and two stars in the child restraints category.
The test concluded that the protection for the driver’s head and the chest was not good while in the case of the passenger’s chest, the protection was decent.
CELERIO
Manufacturer: Maruti Suzuki
Global NCAP rating:
Adult Protection: 0 star
Child Protection: 1 star
Maruti-Suzuki’s Celerio (variant with no airbag) earned zero stars in the adult occupancy protection category and one star in the child restraints category.
The protection to the driver’s chest, head, and neck was reported poor but the passenger’s chest protection was considered to be below average.
KWID
Manufacturer: Renault
Global NCAP rating:
Adult Protection: 0 star
Child Protection: 2 star
Renaults Kwid has been one of the most popular and most sold cars in the Indian markets due to its economy, affordability, practicality, and good after-sales services.
Although, when it comes to safety, the car doesn’t have anything to impress. The car with and without airbags scored almost similar ratings. The car secured a zero star rating in adult occupant protection and two stars in the child restraints category.
DATSUN GO
Manufacturer: Datsun
Global NCAP rating:
Adult Protection: 0 star
Child Protection: 2 star
The Datsun (Nissan’s parent associates) Go model with no airbags scored a zero star rating in the NCAP Global Safety Ratings. The car offered close to nothing in protection for the driver’s head due to hard, direct, and instant impact with the steering wheel.
The body of the car was reported to be unstable. Moreover, the knees of all the occupants were most likely subjected to injuries in the case of this car.
NANO
Manufacturer:Tata
Global NCAP rating:
Adult Protection: 0 star
Child Protection: 0 star
Tata’s Nano presence here is due to some obvious reasons. this car has abnormal size and height, along with tiny tires make the structure very unstable. The protection for the driver’s chest, head, and neck was concluded as poor in this NCAP rating test.
This car, Variant without airbags test secured zero-rating in the adult occupancy protection and child occupation protection category.
ALTO
Manufacturer: Maruti Suzuki
Global NCAP rating:
Adult Protection: 0 star
Child Protection: 2 star
India’s most favorite and beloved car, the Maruti Alto makes no impression at all on the NCAP rating test. This car, when tested without airbags by the organization, secured a zero star in the crash tests. The protection for the driver’s chest, neck, and the head were reported to be poor.
Although the knees of occupants are prone to impact, passengers’ chest protection was concluded to be adequate.
SWIFT
Manufacturer: Maruti Suzuki
Global NCAP rating:
Adult Protection: 0 star
Child Protection: 1 star
The Maruti Suzuki’s Swift has earned its name as a sporty and rugged hatchback out there. But when it comes to safety, the car offers nothing to impress at all.
In the NCAP rating crash tests, the car with no airbags scored zero stars in adult occupant protection and two stars in the child restraints category. The protection for the driver and the passenger was concluded poor. The chest protection wasn’t good due to the steering wheel of the car.
DUSTER 2017 (no airbag version)
Manufacturer: Renault
Global NCAP rating:
Adult Protection: 0 star
Child Protection: 2 star
Renault Duster is been Renault’s lifesaver most sold model in the Indian car market. This car is considered one of the safest cars. However, Reality was not been so pleasing. Duster When tested in NCAP rating test Shown poor performance.
In the tests conducted by the organization, the Duster scored zero stars in the no airbags model. The protection levels were ranged between poor and marginal. The iconic body shape of the car was concluded unstable with no further room for loading the vehicle. However, the new model of duster with a single airbag scored 3 stars.
Safe Car and safety features are the need of the hour for India. We have covered the list of the top 10 safest cars in India according to the Global NCAP Crash Test Rating. Don’t forget to read the article!
David Ward (President and CEO of Global NCAP), Interviewed recently. In his interview, David acknowledged the fact that the Indian car manufacturers are now finally giving importance and priority to the safety of cars.
Also read: Indias Top 10 Most Trusted & Best Car Brands in India
While brands like Tata and Mahindra have come up with some amazing results, there’s still a very long way to go.
The Global NCAP agency with its #SAFERCARSFORINDIA campaign aiming that Indian carmakers should build cars that are safe and durable also.
Tata and Mahindra have taken their piece of cake by becoming the pioneers of safe cars in India. It can only be expected that other car manufacturers also follow the trend sooner. Let’s just hope that the Indian cars don’t get listed as the worst NCAP-rated cars from now on.
