The new Hyundai Verna has scored a full 5-star safety rating in a latest round of Global NCAP crash test under the Safer cars for India programme. This, then, becomes the first Hyundai with a 5-star rating from Global NCAP. The model tested was made in India for sale in the Indian market, and came equipped with 6 airbags, ESC, rear ISOFIX mounts and seatbelt reminders for all seats as standard.
Notably, this is one of the last few cars to be tested under the Safer cars for India programme as the reins for crash testing cars for the Indian market will now be on Bharat NCAP that came into effect from October 1.
Hyundai Verna adult occupant crash test rating
The Verna scored a total of 28.18 points out of 34 possible in adult occupant protection, although the test rated the bodyshell as unstable and not capable of withstanding further loadings. The Verna offered good protection to the driver’s and passenger’s head and neck in the frontal impact test, although the driver’s chest protection was marginal. Passenger chest protection, however, was rated good.
Furthermore, driver’s and passenger’s knees showed marginal protection as they could be impacted by dangerous structures behind the fascia. The footwell area was also rated as unstable.
In the side impact test, the Verna offered good protection to the head, pelvis and abdomen, but chest protection was adequate. Meanwhile, in the side pole impact test, the Verna was rated an ‘OK’ with good protection to the head and pelvis, marginal protection to the chest and adequate protection to the abdomen.
With ESC as standard, the Verna was also tested for the same, and its performance was acceptable as per Global NCAP’s requirements. It also complied with UN 127 and GTR9 pedestrian protection norms.
Hyundai Verna child occupant crash test rating
The Verna scored 42 points out of 49 possible in child occupant protection. This includes the 12 out of 12 points it achieved for the CRS (Child Restraint System) installation. It also received 24 points out of a total of 24 in the dynamic score.
GNCAP tested the Verna with dummies of an 18-month-old and a 3-year-old child, with both seats facing rearward. They were placed in the car using i-size anchorages and a support leg, and both helped in preventing head exposure in a frontal crash. The CRS also offered full side impact protection.
The Verna gets 3-point seatbelts in all seating positions as standard, but it does not offer the possibility to disengage the front passenger airbag in case a rearward-facing CRS is installed in that position.
Interestingly, after the side impact test a CRS failure was noted. The CRS manufacturer identified this as a one off. In order to verify the claim Global NCAP performed a subsequent higher energy side impact test. The CRS showed no further sign of failure.
Hyundai Verna rating compared with rivals
Apart from the Verna in the midsize sedan segment, the Slavia and Virtus have also been crash tested by Global NCAP. While all three cars boast of 5-star rating, the latter two fared marginally better in adult occupant protection and also had a stable body shell integrity. You can read more about it here.
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