Hyundai Eyeing Good Safety Rating For The Exter

Hyundai Motor India Limited recently launched the all-new Exter micro-SUV in the country. At the launch event, the automaker stated that it is confident that its micro-SUV will receive a 4- or 5-star rating in the voluntary crash testing. The Exter is offered with six airbags and an optional ESC from the base model.

Hyundai Exter: Expected Safety Rating

Global NCAP recently revised its crash test protocols under the Safer Cars for India initiative. The independent body now requires ESC (electronic stability control) to be offered as an option on all models. Additionally, the new test also expects models to perform well under the side-impact and pedestrian safety test before offering a full 5-star safety rating.

Hyundai is now voluntarily planning to get the Exter crash test by both GNCAP and Bharat New Car Assessment Programme which is expected to be introduced by October 2023. The India-specific crash test will take references from the new Global NCAP protocols as well as require ESC, seat-belt reminders and test for pedestrian protection and pole side impacts for a vehicle aiming for a 5-star safety rating.

Hyundai said that it is eyeing a 'good NCAP rating' for the Exter. Tarun Garg, COO of Hyundai India, stated, "Safety has been a key focus area with the Exter, and with all the structural changes that we have done along with offering six airbags as standard, and ESC right from the base trim, we will have a good NCAP rating".

ESC has become a necessary requirement for a new vehicle expecting to achieve a good star rating at the Global NCAP test. The revised protocols state that ESC should be available as standard in a vehicle’s most popular models or be available in other trim levels in equal numbers as well. This is why Hyundai is offering ESC as standard on most of the variants with only the entry-level model getting it as an option.

Hyundai Exter: Safety Features

The Exter has one of the most extensive list of safety features for a Hyundai model. It gets both active and passive features like six-airbags, three-point seatbelts for all seats with seat-belt reminders for all variants. Additionally, it gets optional advanced safety tech like ESC, VSM (vehicle stability management), hill-assist control, ISOFIX points, TPMS (tire-pressure monitoring system), and a dashboard camera that records both cabin and exterior footage simultaneously.