The Global New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) conducted tests on some of the most famous brands of small cars in India recently, and the results were far from reassuring. Models representing more than 20-percent of the Indian car market scored zero stars in Global NCAP testing, meaning there’s always a high risk of life-threatening injury in the case of a road crash. Take a look at some of the cars from India and abroad that have scored dismally in the safety department in the last year. This is not in any specific order or ranking.
NOTE: This article is based on test statistics by NCAP, UN and IIHS. It does not reflect ScoopWhoop’s opinion.
1. Maruti Alto 800
Crash tests showed high risk of life threatening injury
The structural flaws and weaknesses in the frame afforded this car a zero star rating in the car safety area. It failed more than one independent and comprehensive crash test that showed it posed high risk of life threatening injury.
2. Tato Nano
Comprehensive tests showed that it’s impossible to even fit airbags in the Nano
It was found that even fitting airbags into the Tata Nano would serve no purpose as the structure itself was inadequate and collapsed to a massive degree during crash tests. Considering the price, it’s not really fair to compare this with cars that cost lakhs more, but with safety being paramount, the results are still shocking. The vehicle structure was rated as unstable, increasing the risk of life-threatening injuries and making the car unsuitable for the fitment of airbags.
3. Maruti Suzuki Swift
Tests showed that the driver and a child would be at high risk of traumatic head injury
Another car that received a zero star by the Global NCAP, the Swift had to undergo a crash test that revealed that the protection offered to the driver’s head and chest was weak, and could result in severe injury, not just to his upper body but to the knees as well. The test also revealed that the child seat at the back was unable to prevent excessive movement and injury to the child dummy.
4. Hyundai i10
Has structural weaknesses that can lead to severe injury
The Hyundai i10 failed both the UN Basic Safety test (40 percent offset at 56kph) and the Global NCAP test (40 percent offset at 64kph). Both of these test the strength of the car in head on collisions and the effect it has on the crash test dummies. Suffice to say, the results were far from reassuring.
5. Volkswagen Polo
Failed the minimum safety requirements by the UN
The Volkswagen Polo without airbags received a zero star rating from the NCAP test for its adult occupant protection. Without airbags, the Polo was not able to meet the UN’s minimum safety requirements in the 56km/h crash test.
6. Hyundai Accent
Has one of the highest fatalities per million registered
The Hyundai Accent has had 120 fatalities per million registered, something that we could perhaps attribute to the safety concerns that this car faces. It scored poorly in the small overlap front test by IIHS , meaning its frontal area is highly vulnerable and driver injury is very likely.
7. Audi A4
Crash tests showed a high risk of injury to the knees and hips
The Audi A4, for all its golden reputation, is also in numerous lists of the most dangerous cars around today. The sleek sports sedan didn’t fare so well on comprehensive crash tests, revealing a high risk of injury especially to the thigh and hip area if such a crash occurs.
8. Nissan Quest
Said to have had one of the worst crash tests in history
The stylish minivan is said to have had one of the worst test crashes in recent history. Apparently, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety claimed that people involved in a 40 mph crash in this car would be lucky if they were ever to walk again.
9. Nissan Versa
Crash tests showed some serious weaknesses in the driver side
The Nissan Versa received a rating of poor, the lowest grade possible, in frontal collisions with a small overlap from IIHS. Crash tests revealed that the “driver’s space was seriously compromised by intruding structure”. The car has some serious occupant-protection weaknesses.
10. Honourable Mention: Delorean DMC-12
The doors would not open if the car flipped over and the window were too small
This iconic automobile that became a household name thanks to its massively important role in Back to the Future didn’t exactly have the best specifications, but it gets an honourable mention since everyone’s been talking about it recently and it’s one of the most unsafe cars of all time. If the car rolled over, the gull-wing doors would not open, and the windows were too small to crawl out of. Also, the creator of this car, John Delorean, was involved in a multi-million dollar cocaine bust. Doesn’t exactly give off an air of safety.
