The Toyota Starlet has achieved a significant improvement in safety, earning a four-star rating for adult occupant protection in Global NCAP’s latest SaferCarsForAfrica crash tests. The improved result follows Toyota’s decision to equip the hatchback with six airbags as standard.
The updated Starlet also received a three-star rating for child occupant protection. The vehicle tested by Global NCAP is manufactured in India and sold in South Africa, where the hatchback has become a popular choice, with sales exceeding 20,000 units.
Six Airbags Bring Major Improvement in Starlet Safety
The latest crash-test result marks a dramatic turnaround from the rating the Toyota Starlet received earlier this year.
In May, Global NCAP tested a version of the hatchback equipped with only two airbags. That model received zero stars for adult occupant protection, although it secured three stars for child occupant protection.
The earlier version came with airbags for the driver and front passenger, along with Electronic Stability Control as standard equipment. However, it lacked additional airbags designed to protect occupants’ heads during a side-impact collision.
Toyota subsequently upgraded the vehicle’s safety package, making six airbags standard across the updated version. The additional protection includes side and curtain airbags, which offer improved protection, particularly during side crashes.
Global NCAP Purchases and Tests the Updated Toyota Starlet
Global NCAP said it offered Toyota an opportunity to voluntarily submit the upgraded six-airbag Starlet for another round of testing. However, the manufacturer chose not to submit the vehicle.
The crash-testing organisation then purchased the updated model independently and conducted the assessment using its own resources.
The results showed a substantial improvement. The six-airbag Toyota Starlet secured four stars for adult occupant protection while maintaining its existing three-star rating for child occupant protection.
The safety improvements were introduced as part of a production update at Toyota’s manufacturing facility in India.
From Zero Stars to Four: A Big Leap in Crash Protection
The contrast between the two versions highlights the impact that standard safety equipment can have on a vehicle’s crash-test performance.
The two-airbag Starlet tested in May received zero stars for adult occupant protection. One of the key concerns identified by Global NCAP was the absence of head-protection airbags for occupants during side-impact crashes.
With the latest update, the hatchback now gets six airbags as standard, including curtain airbags that provide additional protection to passengers’ heads.
Following these improvements, the updated Toyota Starlet has achieved a four-star rating for adult occupant safety in the latest Global NCAP assessment.
Global NCAP Welcomes Toyota Starlet’s Improved Safety Performance
Richard Woods, Chief Executive Officer of Global NCAP, said the latest result demonstrates how significantly a car’s safety performance can improve when manufacturers make essential safety equipment standard.
The Automobile Association of South Africa also welcomed the improved rating.
Its CEO, Bobby Ramagwede, said the Starlet’s latest crash-test result shows that upgrading safety features, even in more affordable vehicles, can make a meaningful difference to occupant protection.
Toyota Starlet Safety Upgrade Shows the Importance of Standard Equipment
The Toyota Starlet’s journey from a zero-star adult occupant protection rating to four stars demonstrates the importance of comprehensive safety equipment in modern cars.
The addition of four extra airbags, including side and curtain airbags, has significantly strengthened the hatchback’s crash protection.
For buyers, the latest Global NCAP result also underlines why it is important to check the exact safety specifications of a particular vehicle variant, as safety ratings can change significantly when manufacturers upgrade standard equipment.
With six airbags now fitted as standard, the updated Toyota Starlet represents a major improvement over the earlier version tested by Global NCAP.