Two-star safety rating for Toyota Corolla Cross raises serious concerns

THE TOYOTA Corolla Cross, one of South Africa's most popular vehicles, has received a disappointing two-star rating for adult occupant protection in Global NCAP's #SaferCarsForAfrica crash tests. The locally-built SUV failed to impress due to its lack of standard side head protection for front and rear passengers, leaving occupants vulnerable to serious injury in side-impact collisions.

Safety failures

Global NCAP’s assessment revealed several key safety shortcomings:

• The footwell area was found to be unstable and could not withstand further loading, despite the bodyshell itself being rated stable.
• A side pole impact test was not performed because the vehicle lacks standard side head protection for both front and rear passengers. This exposes occupants’ heads to the risk of severe injury, even in a low-speed collision with a pole or tree.
• Side-impact tests showed good protection for the abdomen and pelvis, with adequate protection to the chest.
• For child occupants, the Corolla Cross scored three stars, but the lack of a passenger airbag disconnection system meant the head of a three-year-old dummy was exposed during both frontal and side impacts

IOL reported that despite scoring three stars for child occupant protection, the vehicle's safety shortcomings are concerning.

"The results are deeply concerning," said Bobby Ramagwede, AA CEO. "There really is no excuse for the lack of side head protection in the popular Toyota Corolla Cross. This again highlights a continuing pattern in which vehicles sold in Africa do not meet the same safety standards applied in other regions."

"Manufacturers like Toyota know how to build safer vehicles, and consumers in Africa deserve the same levels of safety performance which are fitted standard in other parts of the world," said Richard Woods, Global NCAP CEO. "Highlighting this disparity and democratising vehicle safety in Africa is a Global NCAP priority."

Toyota SA has responded, stating that the Corolla Cross meets local legislative safety requirements and is reviewing standard curtain shield airbag fitment across the entire Corolla Cross range for the local market.