The Indian-made Renault Kiger achieved four stars for adult occupant protection and three stars for child occupant protection in Global NCAP's latest #SaferCarsForAfrica crash test results. 

Global NCAP selected the Renault Kiger for testing when it was offered with two airbags as standard, and without ISOFIX or electronic stability control (ESC). It was rated two stars for adult protection and one star for child occupant protection. Shortly after the selection Renault updated the Kiger with six airbags, ESC and ISOFIX as standard. They submitted the updated model to Global NCAP for voluntary testing. 

The result is a significant improvement in adult and child occupant protection. The updated Kiger now includes six airbags as standard, ESC, ISOFIX anchorages and pedestrian protection. 

Global NCAP's crash test protocols assess frontal and side impact protection for all models, as well as ESC. Pedestrian protection and side pole impact assessments are required for vehicles scoring the highest star-ratings.  

The assessment for the latest six-airbag Renault Kiger found:

• In the frontal test, the footwell area and bodyshell were rated unstable and unable to withstand further loadings.
• In the side impact test, one door opened during the test, resulting in a point deduction. Head, abdomen and pelvis protection were good, and chest protection was adequate. 
• In the side pole impact test, head and pelvis protection were good, abdomen protection was adequate and chest protection was marginal. 
• In the frontal test, the head of the three-year-old dummy contacted the vehicle interior and the chest showed high decelerations. In the side impact, head exposure brought all of the three-year-old's side impact points to zero. 
• The 18-month-old dummy showed full protection in both frontal and side impact tests. 
• The car met pedestrian protection regulation UN127 and complied with Global NCAP's ESC and seatbelt reminder (SBR) requirements.

The assessment for the two-airbag Renault Kiger found:

• In the frontal test, one door opened during the test. The footwell area and bodyshell were rated unstable and unable to withstand further loadings. Driver chest protection was marginal and passenger chest protection was adequate.
• In the side impact test, head and chest protection were weak, abdomen protection was adequate and pelvis protection was good. 
• The side pole test was not conducted because side head protection airbags were not fitted as standard. 
• Without ISOFIX and 3-point belts in all seating positions, Renault recommended fitting child restraints with the adult seatbelt and forward facing for the three-year-old. This does not comply with Global NCAP best practice. The dummy's head struck the vehicle interior, with high neck loads and limited chest protection. 
• For the 18-month-old, the lack of ISOFIX meant the recommended child restraint, fitted with the adult seatbelt, could still end up rearward facing. The dummy showed full head and neck protection in the frontal test but only limited chest protection. 
• The car did not demonstrate compliance with pedestrian protection regulations UN127 or GTR9.

Richard Woods, Chief Executive Officer, Global NCAP, said:

“It’s satisfying to see the safety improvements Renault has introduced with the updated Kiger in South Africa. We welcome their positive engagement and hope that this approach now becomes a trend across the industry.

“It demonstrates what can be achieved when a manufacturer seeks to prioritise safety, and it shows why six airbags must become a standard requirement.”

Bobby Ramagwede, CEO of the Automobile Association of South Africa, said:

“The Automobile Association of South Africa welcomes this considerable improvement in the Global NCAP safety rating of the Renault Kiger, going from a concerning two-star rating to a commendable four-star result. This updated Indian-built Kiger proves that the #SaferCarsForAfrica program is indeed yielding real change and saving many lives on South African roads.

“It is also a reminder to both the manufacturer and the consumer that improving safety needn’t cost much nor affect the production of entry-level model ranges. The result, when manufacturers prioritise the safety of their customers, saves many lives and revives the image of the industry. We commend the French brand on voluntarily submitting the Kiger for testing and strongly encourage those local brands with recent poorer results to work with us on improving the safety of their affected entry-level models, ensuring that safety is prioritised over cost and proving that African lives indeed matter.”