NCAP results show child safety taking the backseat

With the support of the FIA Foundation and Bloomberg Philanthropies, Global NCAP and the Automobile Association of South Africa tested entry-level derivatives of the Toyota Avanza, Honda Amaze and Suzuki Ignis. In contrast to the reasonable safety performance for adult occupants, all models produced disappointing results for child occupant protection. Ratings for child safety are awarded separately from adult safety by the Global NCAP as tests include the Child Restraint System and ISOFIX anchorages.

Toyota Avanza

While the footwell area and vehicle structure are rated as unstable, Seat Belt Reminders, both for the driver and passenger and restraints systems working properly managed to earn the Avanza four stars for Adult Occupant Protection. A detachment of the rear bench occupied by the Child Restraint System and a dummy resembling a child, represented as three years of age, meant that the Toyota only achieved a less than desired two stars for Child Occupant Protection.

Honda Amaze

The Honda’s footwell and vehicle structure remained intact enough to be rated as stable. Fitted with a seatbelt reminder for the driver and seatbelt pre-tensioners for both the driver and front passenger, the Amaze managed to score four stars for Adult Occupant Protection after the 64 km/h impact.

Only one star was rewarded for Child Occupant Protection due to the fact that both the 18-month-old dummy secured in a Child Restraint System and the three-year-old dummy secured in a Child Restraint System with ISOFIX, made contact with the vehicle’s interior with their heads, increasing the probability of injury.

Suzuki Ignis

Unlike counterparts present in the aforementioned test results, the Suzuki Ignis only managed to obtain three stars for Adult Occupant Protection due to the vehicle’s structure being rated as unstable and its weak chest protection for the driver. In the Child Occupant Protection test, the Ignis also did not fare well, not obtaining the recommendation for a Child Restraint System, as a result only receiving one star.