Hyundai Grand i10 Safety Rating 2025 – Shocking Zero Stars [Report]

In a concerning development for compact car buyers, the latest Global NCAP results have delivered a harsh verdict. The Hyundai Grand i10 safety rating for the African market has come in at a disappointing zero stars for adult occupant protection.

This specific model, which is manufactured in India and exported to South Africa, failed to meet the basic safety criteria set by the watchdog. While the car is popular for its features and pricing, this result raises serious questions about the structural integrity of entry-level vehicles sold in emerging markets. Here is a detailed breakdown of the crash test report.

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Adult Occupant Protection: A Complete Failure

The most alarming part of the report is the score for adult protection. The car received 0.00 points out of a maximum of 34.00.

During the frontal impact test, the driver’s chest showed weak protection. More critically, the side impact test revealed a high risk of life-threatening injuries. The report noted that the maximum allowed injury levels in critical body regions were exceeded. This poor performance in the side impact test is a major reason for the zero-star score.

Structural Integrity Concerns

Global NCAP engineers found serious flaws in the car’s construction. The bodyshell integrity was rated as unstable. This means the structure was not capable of withstanding further loadings.

Additionally, the footwell area was also rated as unstable. In a severe crash, a collapsing footwell poses a significant risk to the driver’s lower legs. This lack of structural strength is a critical safety hazard that cannot be fixed by just adding airbags.

Child Occupant Protection: A Mixed Bag

While the adult score was dismal, the child safety score was slightly better. The car achieved a 3-star rating for Child Occupant Protection, scoring 28.57 out of 49.00.

The test used child dummies representing an 18-month-old and a 3-year-old. The seat for the 3-year-old was installed rearward-facing using ISOFIX anchorages and offered full protection in the frontal impact. However, the lack of three-point belts in all seating positions impacted the overall vehicle assessment score.

Missing Safety Equipment

One of the key criticisms from the report is the lack of standard safety tech. The tested model came with driver and passenger frontal airbags but lacked side body or head protection.

Furthermore, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is not standard. In modern safety assessments, active safety features like ESC are crucial for avoiding accidents in the first place. The absence of these features significantly hurt the overall Hyundai Grand i10 safety rating.

Expert Verdict: The Double Standard

Richard Woods, CEO of Global NCAP, called out the “double standard” on safety. He emphasized that consumers in low and middle-income countries deserve safer vehicles just as much as those in developed markets. The Automobile Association of South Africa also expressed deep concern, stating that safety should not be optional or reserved for markets outside Africa.

Conclusion

The zero-star Hyundai Grand i10 safety rating serves as a wake-up call. It highlights that despite modern looks, some cars still lag behind in fundamental crashworthiness. If you are a buyer, it is essential to look beyond the feature list and prioritize structural safety and standard equipment like six airbags and ESC.

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