Skip advert
Advertisement

VW Polo and Ford Fiesta fail India crash tests

Global NCAP finds five popular small cars in India pose serious crash risk

Independent car safety body, Global NCAP, has found that a number of small cars on sale in India pose a very serious risk to their occupants in the event of a crash.

In the first-ever independent crash tests of some of India’s most popular small cars, Global NCAP awarded entry-level models of the Volkswagen Polo, Ford Figo and previous-generation Hyundai i10 zero stars for adult protection. This is in stark contrast to the current European equivalents – the Ford Fiesta and Polo achieved a five-star rating in their Euro NCAP tests, while the old Hyundai i10 managed a respectable four.

Advertisement - Article continues below

India’s best-selling car, the Suzuki-Maruti Alto 800, was also assessed, as was the Tata Nano. The five cars were afflicted by two major problems – namely a lack of structural integrity and an absence of airbags, meaning that too much energy is absorbed directly by the people in the cars in the event of a crash.

In the 40mph NCAP crash test, the Indian version of the i10 achieved a zero-star rating for adult protection, a one-star rating for child protection and was unable to meet the UN’s minimum safety requirements in the 35mph crash test. Along with the Alto 800 and Nano, the i10 was also found to be structurally inadequate, collapsing onto occupants in a crash too easily.

The Ford Figo, which is based on the previous-generation Ford Fiesta platform, achieved zero stars for adult protection and a two-star rating for child protection. What's more, it only met the UN’s minimum safety requirements in the 35mph crash test because the dummy’s head in the driver seat narrowly avoided direct contact with the steering wheel.

Similarly, the Volkswagen Polo achieved a zero-star rating for adult occupant protection, a three-star rating for child protection and couldn’t meet the UN’s safety requirements in the 35mph test. Volkswagen withdrew the non-airbag version of the Polo from the Indian market around the time of the test, so a version with two airbags was also assessed, achieving a much-improved four-star rating. Global NCAP has advised Indian VW Polo customers to be careful about which version they buy.

The results highlight the discrepancy in safety requirements between India and those in Europe and North America – and also show the compromises manufacturers are making on safety in order to make cars cheaper for the Indian market.

For more information on Euro NCAP crash testing, read the Carbuyer article here.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Ford EcoBoost engines: reliability, problems and should you buy one?
Ford Puma EcoBoost front
Tips and advice
5 Nov 2024

Ford EcoBoost engines: reliability, problems and should you buy one?

Volkswagen Polo review – an iconic supermini
Volkswagen Polo - front 3/4 dynamic
In-depth reviews
15 Jul 2024

Volkswagen Polo review – an iconic supermini

Top 10 best cars for students 2024
Best cars for students
Best cars
6 Jun 2024

Top 10 best cars for students 2024

Hyundai i10 review - tech-filled and practical small car
hyundai i10 facelift
In-depth reviews
13 May 2024

Hyundai i10 review - tech-filled and practical small car

Most Popular

Car tax: VED rates and increases explained 2024/25
Car tax
Tips and advice
4 Nov 2024

Car tax: VED rates and increases explained 2024/25

Ford EcoBoost engines: reliability, problems and should you buy one?
Ford Puma EcoBoost front
Tips and advice
5 Nov 2024

Ford EcoBoost engines: reliability, problems and should you buy one?

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
8 Nov 2024

Best new car deals 2024: this week’s best PCP finance offers

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
21 Oct 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024