Starless: Zero Stars for outgoing version of Toyota Starlet
The outgoing version of the Toyota Starlet has received a zero star rating for adult occupant protection in Global NCAP’s #SaferCarsforAfrica test results. Child occupant protection was rated as three stars.
Manufactured in India, and one of the most popular cars sold in South Africa, the Starlet was equipped with driver and passenger frontal airbags and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) as standard. The model offered no side head protection airbags.
During our transport and testing process we were notified by Toyota that the Starlet model was being updated in South Africa. Additional safety features were to be fitted as standard, including side head and body airbags. This model update is now available in the market and Global NCAP has anonymously purchased versions of it for testing.
Global NCAP aims to provide African consumers with the opportunity to compare the safety performance of both versions of the car as soon as we are able.
The crash test report noted:
The footwell area and bodyshell were found to be unstable and not capable of withstanding further loadings.
In the side impact test, both head and chest protection were rated as poor. Abdomen protection was rated as adequate.
The side pole test was not conducted as side head protection airbags are not fitted as standard.
In the frontal impact assessment the head of the three-year-old dummy made contact with the vehicle interior and chest protection was rated as low.
In the side impact assessment the head of the three-year-old dummy was exposed to impact.
Richard Woods, Chief Executive Officer of Global NCAP, said:
“This is a shocking zero star result from Toyota. The Starlet, one of the most popular cars sold in South Africa, had an unstable bodyshell, as well as poor head and chest protection which are both a cause for serious concern.
“Toyota has updated this model in the South African market. It now comes with new safety features fitted as standard. We welcome this improvement in safety equipment and we will put the revised model to the test very soon.”
Bobby Ramagwede, Chief Executive Officer of the Automobile Association of South Africa, said:
“The Toyota Starlet is one of South Africa’s most popular vehicles and its poor performance in the GNCAP testing means that Starlet owners remain at risk of serious injury in the case of an accident.
“These entry-level vehicles are also readily available in vehicle rental and corporate fleets, which further multiplies the risk to motorists. Safety equipment and vehicles that are manufactured to a high standard of structural safety should never be an optional extra or a feature that is reserved for markets outside of Africa, nor should manufacturers be hiding behind the unfortunate lack of stringent vehicle-safety legislation locally. You cannot put a price on the life of the South African consumer”.
The Toyota Starlet was tested as part of the #SaferCarsForAfrica campaign.
Toyota Starlet
Read the full crash test report
Watch the crash test video
Download the crash test images
Note to editors
Global NCAP is a UK registered charity working internationally to democratise vehicle safety in support of the UN Global Goals.
Between 2014 and 2026 Global NCAP has completed more than 100 safety assessments which have acted as an important catalyst in the safety improvement of Indian and African cars.
Global NCAP has launched a newsletter, IMPACT, to share information about developments across the global road safety community. Subscribe here: https://www.globalncap.org/impact.
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