It’s inconceivable that the same car built in the same factory for two different markets exhibit discrete levels of safety ratings.
While the Renault Kwid we have on sale in India scored a 1-Star rating in GNCAP tests some years back, the same car built for the South African market now scores a 2-Star rating. The Kwid sold in South Africa comes equipped with 2 airbags as standard. The GNCAP crash tests showed that the Kwid offered enough protection to the driver’s head, while the passenger’s head had good protection. The car’s body structure and footwell area though were rated unstable by GNCAP.
The absence of ISOFIX anchorages and 3 point seatbelts could only help it score 2-Stars in child occupant protection. The Renault Kwid safety rating tests were run during the recent round of the #SaferCarsForAfrica campaign, jointly organized by GNCAP and A.A South Africa.
While the Indian and African Kwids scored 1 and 2 stars in the crash tests, respectively, it is worthy to note that the same car sold in Latin America, equipped wth better standard safety kit has secured 3-Stars, with better adults and child occupants protection.
