Global NCAP results in for the Kia Seltos, Hyundai Grand i10 Nios and Maruti Suzuki S-Presso

In a new round of safety tests under the #SaferCarsForIndia campaign, safety-ratings agency Global NCAP has assessed three popular Indian cars in base-model spec for the domestic Indian market, with mixed results. The cars tested were the Maruti Suzuki S-Presso (driver's side airbag only), which earned a zero-star rating, the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios (two airbags maximum), which earned a two-star rating, and the Kia Seltos (two airbags standard), with a three-star rating, out of a maximum of five. All three cars received a two-star rating for child occupant safety.

The Global New Car Assessment Program undertook the #SaferCarsForIndia initiative in 2014 and has since tested 41 models, with notable results coming from Indian manufacturers Tata and Mahindra, with models like the Tata Nexon, Altroz and Mahindra XUV300 scoring a full five-stars in tests. Notable four-star rated vehicles include the VW Polo, Tata Tiago and Tigor and Mahindra Marazzo. So far, Global NCAP largely tests Indian-made cars for front offset crash protection for occupants (at 64kmph), while current Indian crash test regulations also test for side impacts and frontal offset crashes (at 56kmph).

Coming back to the latest test results, the Maruti-Suzuki S-Presso with a single airbag understandably shows poor safety results for the passenger, while its structure and footwell areas were rated as unstable, leading to its overall zero star rating. The S-Presso doesn't offer three-point seatbelts for all passengers, nor does it have ISOFIX child seat anchoring points.

The Hyundai Grand i10 Nios, offered with a maximum of two airbags and seatbelt pretensioners as standard, scored two stars overall. While its structure and footwell were rated as unstable, head and neck protection for adult occupants were good. Note that the Nios comes with fixed seat backs, and not adjustable head restraints, which are available only on top variants. Further, chest protection for the driver was rated weak, but adequate for the passenger. Similarly, the Nios doesn't come equipped with three-point seatbelts all around, nor does it have ISOFIX anchorage points.

Finally, the Kia Seltos, in its base variant with two airbags and seatbelt pretensioners standard, scored three stars overall. Its structure and footwell integrity were rated unstable, but chest protection for the passenger was rated good, with a weak rating for the driver's chest protection. Again, the Seltos is available with up to six airbags in the range-topping HTX+ and GTX onwards, but three-point seatbelts for all passengers aren't available even further up the lineup. ISOFIX child seat anchoring points are available in HTX variants onwards. Other cars in the segment that have received three stars include the Renault Duster, and Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza.