The new 6th Gen Hyundai Verna has scored 5 Star Global NCAP Safety Rating making it the first Hyundai model sold in India to score 5 Star Safety Rating.
Hyundai Verna was tested with standard safety features such as 6 Airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), rear ISOFIX anchorages, and seat belt reminder for all seats. It’s worth noting that the Hyundai Verna is one of the last models tested under the Safer Cars for India programme, because as of October 1st, Bharat NCAP is responsible for testing the cars for the Indian Market.
The Verna achieved a score of 28.18 out of 34 Points in Adult Occupant Protection even though the assessment found that the vehicle bodyshell was unstable and can’t endure additional forces. In the frontal impact test, the Verna provided good protection for the driver’s and the passenger’s heads and necks. However, the driver’s chest protection received marginal rating while passenger chest protection was assessed as good.
Moreover, both the driver’s and passenger’s knees scored marginal protection as they could come in contact with hazardous structures located behind the dashboard, and the footwell area’s stability was also a concern. During the side impact test, the Verna showed good protection for the front passenger’s head, pelvis, and abdomen with the chest protection being rated adequate.
Additionally, in the Side Pole Impact Test, the Verna received an ‘OK’ rating indicating good protection for the passenger’s head and pelvis, marginal protection for the chest, and adequate protection for the abdomen.
In the Child Occupant Protection, the Verna scored 42 out of 49 points. Out of the 42 points, it scored 12 out of 12 points for the CRS (Child Restraint System) installation, and 24 out of 24 points in the dynamic score. Now, the Global NCAP conducted the tests on the Verna using child dummies of a 18-month-old and 3-year-old, both seated rearward-facing and secured with i-size anchorages and a support leg. These measures effectively prevented head exposure during frontal crashes, and the CRS offered full side impact protection.
While the Verna comes equipped with 3-point seat belts for all seats, it’s important to note that the front passenger airbag cannot be deactivated when a rearward-facing CRS is installed. Interestingly, a CRS failure was observed after the side impact test which the manufacturer attributed to a one-off incident. To verify this claim, Global NCAP conducted a subsequent higher energy side impact test during which the CRS exhibited no further signs of failure.
In the end, Hyundai Verna joins the Volkswagen Virtus, and Skoda Slavia as the 5-Star Global NCAP Safety Rated Sedan for the Indian Market. While the three of them boasts 5 Star GNCAP safety rating, Verna slightly outperforms in the rating when you compare the points in adult and child occupants protection.