The Toyota Starlet has recorded a major safety improvement, jumping from zero to four stars for adult occupant protection in Global NCAP’s latest #SaferCarsForAfrica crash test.

The result follows a safety upgrade that made six airbags standard on the South African model.

Earlier this year, Global NCAP gave the two-airbag version of the Starlet zero stars for adult occupant protection and three stars for child occupant protection.

The updated model retains the three-star rating for child occupants.

Six airbags boost Starlet safety

The previous Starlet came standard with driver and passenger frontal airbags as well as Electronic Stability Control, but did not have side head protection airbags.

Toyota subsequently upgraded the India-built model to six airbags as standard, including side curtain airbags.

Global NCAP said it offered Toyota an opportunity to submit the upgraded Starlet for testing, but the manufacturer declined.

The safety organisation then purchased and tested the updated version using its own funding.

Four-star result marks major improvement

The upgraded Starlet achieved four stars for adult occupant protection.

In the side-impact test, head protection was rated good, while chest protection was adequate. Protection for the abdomen and pelvis was also rated good.

During the side-pole test, head protection was rated good, chest protection marginal and protection for the abdomen and pelvis good.

However, Global NCAP found that the bodyshell remained unstable and was not capable of withstanding further loading in the frontal test.

Global NCAP welcomes upgrade

Global NCAP CEO Richard Woods welcomed Toyota’s decision to improve the Starlet’s standard safety equipment.

He said the four-star result demonstrated what could be achieved when manufacturers prioritised vehicle safety.

Automobile Association of South Africa CEO Bobby Ramagwede also welcomed the improvement, describing the move from zero to four stars as significant.

More than 20,000 units of the earlier Starlet had been sold in South Africa before the six-airbag upgrade, according to Global NCAP.

The updated result gives local buyers a clear comparison between the previous two-airbag model and the newer six-airbag version now available in the market.