Global NCAP rate 3 stars for Kia Carens, XUV 700 gets ‘Safer Choice’ Award

The Global NCAP has released the crash test results of the Kia Carens. The MPV has scored 3 stars for both adult and child safety. This is the last set of crash test results for the #SaferCarsForIndia campaign under its current test protocols. From next month onwards, the organisation will update its assessment protocols by including side impacts, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and pedestrian protection requirements.

As far as the crash-tested model is concerned, the base Kia Carens come equipped with two frontal airbags, two side airbags, two head protection airbags, and standard ESC. The model was also side-impact tested wherein it passed the UN95 regulatory requirement.

However, as per the assessment, the Carens demonstrated an unstable structure that provided minimal chest protection to the driver and weak protection to the driver’s feet. The base Carens model equips a lap belt for the rear centre seat, instead of a three-point seat belt, and that affected its point system as well.

On the other hand, Mahindra received the ‘Safer Choice’ award for its XUV700 SUV. The brand’s last new offering scored five stars for adult protection and four stars for child occupant protection. In addition, the XUV700 scored the highest combined safety ratings of any car that was tested in the #SaferCarsForIndia campaign. Mahindra has also re-submitted the XUV700 to further check if the SUV meets the required pedestrian protection and ESC requirement or not.

As for the Kia Carens, the Secretary-General of Global NCAP said, “Global NCAP welcomes Kia’s decision to make six airbags a standard fit in the Carens ahead of a regulatory requirement. However, we expected a better performance from this model. It remains a cause for concern that global car brands such as Kia, that normally achieve 5 star ratings in other markets, are still not reaching this level in India

“As our current test protocols come to an end I am pleased to see the continuing safety commitment from Indian automakers like Mahindra achieving their second ‘Safer Choice Award’. The evolution of our testing requirements under the new protocols which come into effect from next month are intended to take the progress we have seen over the last eight years to the next level,” said David Ward, President of the Towards Zero Foundation.