Key highlights
- The Hyundai Grand i10 Nios receives a 0-star rating in the latest Global NCAP crash tests.
- The car shows weak protection for adult occupants and poor structural integrity.
- The results raise fresh questions about safety standards in India’s budget hatchback space.
The Hyundai Grand i10 Nios has hit an unpleasant milestone, scoring 0 stars in the latest Global NCAP crash tests. For a car that has long been a popular choice among city buyers, families and first-time owners, this rating comes as a rude wake-up call. The new results also put a spotlight on the widening gap between expectations and actual safety performance in the mass-market hatchback segment.
The test result
According to the Global NCAP assessment, the Grand i10 Nios offered weak protection for adult occupants in the frontal offset test. The structure and footwell area were rated unstable, which means they cannot withstand further loading in a crash. The driver’s chest protection was rated poor, while the passenger readings were only marginally better. The car also struggled with child occupant safety, scoring low due to limited restraint system performance and the absence of key safety features in lower variants.
The tested model came with dual airbags and ABS, which are now mandatory. But the lack of side airbags, ESC and advanced restraint systems clearly held it back. In a segment where rivals have started pushing harder on safety, the Nios now stands exposed.
Market response?
Hyundai has not yet responded with an updated statement, but the Indian market has evolved quickly. Customers today want more than just mileage, features and brand value. Safety now plays a real role in purchase decisions, and a 0-star rating is tough to ignore in 2025.
The Grand i10 Nios continues to be a strong seller, thanks to its refined engines, compact footprint and easy-to-live-with nature. But these crash test results could force Hyundai to either update the model soon or shift focus to its newer safety-oriented platforms.
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