The Automobile Association (AA) has voiced disappointment after the latest #SaferCarsForAfrica crash test delivered a Zero Star rating for adult occupant protection on the current-generation Toyota Starlet.
It is important to note the vehicle tested was the older version equipped with only two crash bags. Toyota introduced an updated model in South Africa in September 2025, which comes standard with six crash bags across the range.
However, one has to point to the AA being somewhat disingenous here as the Starlet is built by Suzuki in India and mirrors the Baleno - the right way to have done this would have been to test both badges and to publish those results simultaneously, rather than pointing a gnarled finger at just one automaker and leaving the buying public without a full explanation.
The #SaferCarsForAfrica campaign is run jointly by the Global New Car Assessment Programme (GNCAP) and the AA of South Africa. The two organisations buy entry-level vehicles anonymously in South Africa, send them to Europe, and put them through global standard crash tests.
Travel safely through our extensive range of Toyota Starlet variants - click here
The Starlet showed serious shortcomings in occupant protection, especially during side impact testing. This was largely due to the lack of restraint systems such as side body and side head crash bags. These issues, combined with a body structure that could not provide adequate protection, led to the final Zero Star rating.
According to global sales figures from Toyota, more than 20 000 South African customers and their families bought the Starlet before the crash bag upgrade. Many of these owners may not know about the safety upgrade or the concerns around the older model.
There is also concern that no structural changes appear to have been made following the addition of the four extra crash bags. GNCAP plans to test the newer model later this year.
Key findings:
- In the side impact test, head and chest protection were rated as poor. Abdomen protection was rated as adequate.
- The footwell area and bodyshell were found to be unstable and unable to withstand further loadings.
- The side pole test was not carried out because side head protection crash bags are not standard.
- In the frontal impact assessment, the head of the three-year-old dummy made contact with the vehicle interior, and chest protection was rated as low.
- In the side impact assessment, the head of the three-year-old dummy was exposed to impact.
Great insurance is a safety net you really need – click here to find out more
Richard Woods, Chief Executive Officer of Global NCAP, called the result shocking.
“This is a shocking zero-star result from Toyota. The Starlet, one of the most popular cars sold in South Africa, had an unstable bodyshell, as well as poor head and chest protection which are both a cause for serious concern.
“Toyota has updated this model in the South African market. It now comes with new safety features fitted as standard. We welcome this improvement in safety equipment, and we will put the revised model to the test very soon.”
Bobby Ramagwede, Chief Executive Officer of the AA of South Africa, said the rating puts many families at risk.
“The Toyota Starlet is one of South Africa’s most popular vehicles and its poor performance in the GNCAP testing means that thousands of Starlet owners and their families remain at risk of serious injury in the case of an accident.
“These entry-level vehicles are also readily available in vehicle rental and corporate fleets, which further multiplies the risk to motorists.
“Safety equipment and vehicles that are manufactured to a high standard of structural safety should never be an optional extra or a feature that is reserved for markets outside of Africa, nor should manufacturers be hiding behind the unfortunate lack of stringent vehicle-safety legislation locally. You cannot put a price on the life of South African consumers and their families.”
Owners or drivers who receive a Starlet as a rental or company car are advised to check the roof lining and B-pillar for SRS Airbag markings, which indicate a newer version with extra crash bags.
Those driving the two-bag version are encouraged to take the low safety rating seriously and request alternative vehicles with better structural and passive safety features.
The #SaferCarsForAfrica campaign was created to push for fair treatment of motorists in countries without mandatory vehicle crash test programmes.
It is not uncommon for a manufacturer to sell a vehicle in a country like South Africa – which has no compulsory safety testing – with less safety equipment and weaker structural protection than the same model sold in countries with strict safety standards, such as Germany or Japan.
GNCAP is a UK-registered charity that works to make vehicle safety more accessible in support of the UN Global Goals. Between 2014 and 2026, the organisation has completed more than 100 safety assessments.
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
proudly CHANGECARS
