Made-In-India, Africa-Spec Hyundai i20 Scores 3-Star Global-NCAP Rating

• The made-in-India, Africa-spec Hyundai i20 has scored a 3-star rating Global NCAP’s crash test
• This is lower than the Euro-spec i20, which scored four stars
• The Hyundai i20 has an ‘unstable structure’, ‘unstable footwell’ and a low 2-star child-safety rating

Global NCAP’s latest crash tests have revealed that the India-made, Africa-spec Hyundai i20 hatchback has scored a low 3-star overall rating. The car shares its structure and features with the Elite i20 sold in India and the crash test rating could apply to the India-spec hatchback - except the top-of-the-line Asta (O) variant - as well.

Why did the i20 score so low?

The i20’s overall structure has been marked as unstable by Global NCAP, a characteristic also seen on the recently tested Maruti Suzuki Swift.

While adult occupants at the front had dual front airbags and seatbelt pretensioners, some dangerous structures behind the dashboard supported by the Tranfascia tube made upper torso and knee protection adequate at best. Surprisingly, the driver footwell has been reported to be unstable in a frontal crash at 64kmph, resulting in a poor safety for the driver’s ankle and foot. The i20 scored 60 per cent in adult occupancy safety, with an overall score of 10.15 points out of a possible maximum of 17.

The child-safety rating of the i20 was rated as under par mainly because the child seats were not anchored by ISOFIX anchors, which are not available in the car sold in African markets. This resulted in increased risks for larger children being exposed to head injuries. These shortcomings meant the i20 scored a subpar 2-star rating in child safety - scoring 37 per cent - with an overall score of 18.16 points out of a possible maximum of 49.

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The Elite i20 sold in India gets a four-channel ABS with EBD, dual front airbags, pretensioners for the front seatbelts and impact-sensing door unlock as standard in India. Hence, the 3-star adult safety rating and 2-star child safety rating would apply to the India-spec hatch too.

Only the top-of-the-line Asta (O) variant gets side and curtain airbags, height-adjustable front seatbelts and ISOFIX child seat anchors, all of which could potentially help it fare better in a crash. This variant is priced quite high though - the Asta (O) petrol MT is priced at Rs 7.99 lakh while the Asta (O) diesel MT is priced at Rs 9.24 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi.

Here’s how cars in this segment fare, in decreasing order of safety:

1) Volkswagen Polo (Tested 2014)

Bodyshell - Stable
Adult Safety - 4 Stars, 74 per cent score
Child Safety - 3 Stars, 61 per cent score

2) Toyota Etios Liva (Tested 2016)

Bodyshell - Stable
Adult Safety - 4 Stars, 81 per cent score
Child Safety - 2 Stars, 41 per cent score

3) Hyundai i20 (Tested 2018)

Bodyshell - Unstable
Adult Safety - 3 Stars, 60 per cent score
Child Safety - 2 Stars, 37 per cent score

4) Maruti Suzuki Swift (Tested 2018)

Bodyshell - Unstable
Adult Safety - 2 Stars, 42 per cent score
Child Safety - 2 Stars, 33 per cent score