The Brazil-spec Toyota Yaris sedan has scored a 4 Star safety rating in Latin NCAP crash test. Its structure was rated unstable, but passenger protection in terms of side and frontal impact, allowed it to gain a 4 Star rating. The frontal impact is tested at a speed of 64 kmph while the lateral collision is conducted at 50 kmph.
It scored well in passenger chest protection, driver’s chest had marginal protection while frontal occupant’s knees showed marginal and adequate protection due to dangerous structures behind the dashboard.
The footwell area was also rated as unstable while body shell also saw similar results with the Yaris scoring 11.23 points out of 16 in this category. In side impact, Yaris offered good protection to the occupant’s head and pelvis while abdomen and chest showed adequate protection with scores of 14.76 points out of 16 in this test. Watch the crash test video below.
It was also the lack of ISOFIX and passenger deactivation switch that cause a lower star rating in terms of child occupant safety. Electronic stability control (ESC) is standard on the Brazilian car but not ABS.
The Brazil spec Toyota Yaris differs from the Yaris sold in India. The Brazil spec model has dual airbags, while the India spec Yaris comes in with 7 airbags offered as standard. Toyota Yaris, midsized sedan, was launched in India in 2018, at Rs.9.29 lakhs. It competes with the Maruti Ciaz, Honda City, Volkswagen Vento and Hyundai Verna.
Just like NCAP, India is also launching their version of NCAP this year, called Bharat NCAP or BNCAP. From 1st Oct 2019, all cars sold in India will have to comply with new crash test and safety norms as indicated by the Government of India. These norms, will necessitate all cars sold in the country to feature driver’s airbag, driver and co driver seat belt reminder, speed alert system and rear parking sensors as standard. The cars will also need to comply with crash test norms which will be tested for full frontal impact at 48 kmph, offset frontal impact with fixed deformable barrier at 56 kmph and side impact with mobile deformable barrier at 50 kmph.
