New Hyundai Atos settles for just two stars in Global NCAP crash test…

By: CAR magazine

Global NCAP has released the results of its sixth round of crash testing in India, with the new Hyundai Atos having to settle for two stars.

Badged as the Santro in India, the new budget hatchback has just arrived in South Africa, priced at R159 900.

In the same round of testing, the new-generation Suzuki Ertiga – which is also imported to South Africa from India – scored three stars, while Suzuki’s WagonR managed two stars and the Datsun Redigo a single star (neither of the latter two vehicles, though, is offered locally).

So, what did Global NCAP have to say about the Atos? Well, while it’s worth pointing out the SA-spec model ships with dual airbags and the Indian-spec base variant with just one (as well as ABS), the safety authority rated the vehicle’s structure (including the footwell area) as “unstable”.

Head and neck protection for adult occupants, however, was rated as “good”, with chest protection “weak” for the driver and “marginal” for the passenger. Child occupant protection showed poor results “mainly because the manufacturer did not recommend a [child restraint system] for the test”.

The Ertiga’s structure, meanwhile, put in what Global NCAP called a “borderline unstable performance, which can and should be improved”. Its footwell area was rated as “unstable”, but head and neck protection for adult occupants was “good”.

Watch the Atos undergo its crash test in the video below, and the Ertiga in the footage below that…

Related Articles
Navara expansion

Nissan Commits to Massive Navara Expansion into Africa