The India-made Toyota Starlet, which is essentially the South African version of the Toyota Glanza, has received a zero-star safety rating in the latest Global NCAP crash tests under the Safe Cars for Africa programme. While the hatchback managed to score three stars for child safety, its performance in terms of adult passenger safety was surprising.Global NCAP tested the outgoing South African-spec Starlet which is manufactured at Maruti Suzuki’s Gujarat plant and exported overseas. The model tested was equipped with dual front airbags and electronic stability control (ESC) as standard, but not side and curtain airbags.In Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) tests, the Starlet scored 0 out of 34, resulting in a zero-star rating. During the frontal offset crash test, driver head protection was rated adequate to good, while chest protection was rated adequate. However, side barrier impact testing revealed serious risks of head and chest injuries.
In child occupant protection (COP), the hatchback scored 29.33 out of 49 and earned a three-star rating. Global NCAP reported that the 18-month-old dummy had good overall protection. However, in the case of the three-year old dummy, the head came in contact with the inner side during the test and remained exposed during the side impact test.Interestingly, Toyota informed Global NCAP during the testing process that the South African-spec Starlet has now been updated with additional safety equipment. The revised model reportedly gets side head airbags, side body airbags and more safety features as standard. Global NCAP has confirmed that it has anonymously purchased the updated version and that new crash tests will be conducted soon.
