0 NCAP stars for Suzuki Baleno

Latin NCAP has subjected two models to its safety tests. Both the Suzuki Baleno and the Toyota Yaris were wrecked on all sides, with disappointing results. The Suzuki Baleno did not return home with a single star, the Yaris managed to get one more.

Suzuki Baleno

Should you be very concerned in Europe now? Well no. The Baleno, which did not win any of the five achievable stars, is the basic version as it is sold in various South American countries. Although the car has two airbags, unlike the one delivered in the Netherlands until last year, it has to do without side airbags and things like electrical stability control. Six airbags were standard in the Baleno delivered in Europe, including curtain airbags. In 2016, the Baleno achieved 4 NCAP stars in Europe.

Toyota Yaris (XP150)

The Toyota Yaris, which was very disappointing during the Latin NCAP tests, has something to do with the well-known Yaris (XP210) to an even lesser extent. In fact, it is a completely different model. The Toyota sold in various South American countries as Yaris, it is available as a sedan and as a hatchback, is the locally built version of the XP150 generation that does not share a single bolt with ‘our Yaris’. This car is also not supplied with curtain airbags as standard in Central and South America and only managed to score marginally better than the Baleno. In the simulation of a side impact, a door flew open and the driver’s seat belt alarm failed. The Toyota Yaris that you can buy in the Netherlands, scored 5 NCAP stars last year.

‘Consumer really has a safe car’

Alejandro Furas, secretary general of Latin NCAP, says the results are a continuation of a series of disappointments. Latin NCAP is calling on Toyota and Suzuki to improve the standard safety features of its models and rightly says that Central and South American consumers have a right to safe new cars at no extra cost. “We don’t want any more cars that have no or only one NCAP star.”