The India-manufactured Toyota Starlet has received a zero-star safety rating in recent crash tests conducted by Global NCAP, raising concerns around occupant protection in its current form.
According to the test results, the hatchback scored 0 out of 34 points in Adult Occupant Protection (AOP), indicating limited safety performance for front passengers. In contrast, the car achieved 29.33 out of 49 points in Child Occupant Protection (COP), translating to a three-star rating in this category.
The tested variant comes equipped with two airbags and electronic stability control (ESC) as standard. However, Global NCAP noted that the vehicle’s bodyshell integrity was rated as unstable, which can affect crash performance under higher impact conditions.
The Starlet is produced in India at Maruti Suzuki’s Gujarat facility and exported primarily to African markets, where it enjoys strong sales, including in fleet segments. The agency highlighted that widespread accessibility in such markets can increase exposure to road accidents, making safety performance a critical factor.
Toyota has reportedly informed Global NCAP about a forthcoming update to the Starlet, which is expected to introduce additional safety features, including more airbags. The updated version will likely undergo fresh evaluation once it is available in international markets.
For context, the Maruti Baleno — closely related to the Starlet — has shown varying safety outcomes across different assessment programs. While it secured a four-star rating under Bharat NCAP, it received a lower rating in Latin NCAP tests.
Global NCAP has stated that it will reassess the Starlet after the updated model is introduced.
