The Toyota Corolla Cross has become the latest victim of Global NCAP’s #SaferCarsforAfrica campaign after obtaining a two-star crash rating.
Report
In its findings, the association attributed the two-star adult protection rating to a lack of side head protection.
The inclusion of front and side airbags, a driver’s knee airbag and Electronic Stability Control was, however, welcomed.
Furthering Global NCAP’s findings, child protection was given three-stars, with abdomen and pelvis protection in a frontal impact being classified as good.
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An “adequate” rating was given for adult chest protection, while the footwell area was judged to be “unstable and not capable of withstanding further loadings”.
The association stated that it couldn’t carry out the mentioned side pole test as “the car does not offer standard side head protection for front and rear rows”.
In a related report, though, cars.co.za alleges either the entry-level Xi or mid-spec Xs might have been used as rear side airbags are standard on the Xr and GR Sport derivatives.
Global NCAP and AA reactions
“Manufacturers like Toyota know how to build safer vehicles and consumers in Africa deserve the same levels of safety performance fitted standard in other parts of the world,” Global NCAP CEO, Richard Woods, said in a statement.
The Automobile Association of South Africa‘s CEO, Bobby Ramagwede, said the results are “deeply concerning” and that the lack of side protection is inexcusable.
“South African motorists deserve better, especially exasperated in this case considering that the Corolla Cross is locally built for local consumption at Toyota’s Prospecton plant in KwaZulu-Natal.”
Hyundai controversy
The latest findings comes after the association slapped a zero-star rating on the Hyundai Grand i10 at the end of last year for perceived poor levels of front crash protection and an unstable bodyshell.
Reacting to the findings, though, Hyundai said the Indian-made Grand i10 is safe is to drive and conforms to all 53 on-road requirements set-out by the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications.
No comments yet
South Africa’s third best-selling passenger vehicle of 2025 behind the Volkswagen Polo Vivo and Suzuki Swift, Toyota South Africa Motors has, so far, not commented on the findings.
NOW READ: Hyundai responds to Global NCAP: ‘Grand i10 is safe to drive’
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