Honda Amaze Re-tested By Global NCAP Under Stricter Protocols, Fares Poorly This Time Around

The Honda Amaze has been crash tested by Global NCAP once again, this time under its much stricter protocols. And the sub-4 metre sedan has fared poorly this time around, securing just two stars. It must be noted that the made-in-India Amaze was crash tested earlier in 2019 by Global NCAP for the South African market and had scored an impressive 4 stars back then. 

Breaking down the results, the Honda Amaze secured two stars (27.89 out of 34) for Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) and zero stars (8.58 out of 49) for Child Occupant Protection (COP). It must be noted that the Amaze recently got seat belt reminders for all seats, but Global NCAP tested the one with just the driver’s reminder. Other safety features onboard include dual airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors with camera and ISOFIX child-seat mounts.

Adult Occupant Protection 

Starting off with the frontal impact test, the Amaze offered good protection to the driver’s and co-driver’s head, neck and tibias. That said, shielding offered to both the occupant’s chest and knees was rated as adequate and marginal, respectively. It must be noted the footwell area and body shell was rated as stable, with the latter able to take further loadings. 

In the side impact test, the head and pelvis had good protection. However, the chest had marginal shielding, while the abdomen had adequate protection. The side pole impact test was not conducted as the Amaze doesn’t have curtain airbags and electronic stability control isn’t available as well. All of this explains the Amaze’s poor two-star AOP score. 

Child Occupant Protection 

The three-year-old child dummy was installed in a forward-facing child seat using the ISOFIX mounts, while the 18-month-old child dummy was put in a rear-facing child seat and was secured using the adult seatbelt.

In the frontal impact test, the three-year old dummy’s setup prevented excessive movement, though it still came in contact with the vehicle. Meanwhile, the 18-month-old child dummy’s setup was not able to prevent ejection risk, leading to zero points. That said, both the dummies had full protection in the side impact test. 

Global NCAP did point out that the Amaze didn’t have three-point seatbelts for all seats and then marked the inability to disconnect the front passenger airbag in case you place the child seat in the front. That said, while the marking for the ISOFIX points in the rear seats fulfils requirements, there is no possibility to fit it in the centre of the rear seat. All of this explains the zero-star rating in COP.

Here’s What Honda Had To Say

Commenting on the news, Honda said, “The South Africa-spec second-generation Amaze has already been awarded 4 stars by GNCAP in 2019. The latest test basis new protocol shows that the total score is of 5 star level. However mainly due to requirement of certain equipment like Electronic Stability Control and Side Curtain Airbags, it resulted in lower rating. 

At Honda, our unwavering commitment to safety is evident in the meticulous engineering of our products, integrating advanced active and passive safety technologies across our entire model range. We are dedicated to continuously work to enhance our vehicles on all parameters of safety and improve them further at model change timing.”

Also read: Honda Amaze Waiting Period Detailed: Wait Up To A Month To Bring It Home

Price and Rivals

The Amaze recently went through a price hike, post which the subcompact sedan is priced from Rs 7.93 lakh to Rs 9.86 lakh (ex-showroom). It competes directly with the likes of Tata Tigor, Hyundai Aura and Maruti Dzire.