Toyota Urban Cruiser, the rebadged Maruti Vitara Brezza, has been awarded a 4-star safety rating by the Global NCAP. The sub-compact SUV was tested in its most basic safety spec fitted with 2 frontal airbags and ABS as standard safety features. During the assessment it showed a stable structure, and adequate to good protection of critical body regions of the adults. Global NCAP had launched the #SaferCarsForIndia Campaign in 2014 in order to promote safer vehicles in the country. Between 2014 and 2022 Global NCAP has completed more than fifty three safety assessments.
The CRS installed using the ISOFIX anchorages in the Urban Cruiser showed good protection of both child occupants. The lack of 3-point seatbelts in all seating positions and the high neck biomechanical values in the frontal crash led to three star rating in child occupant protection. Alejandro Furas, Secretary General of Global NCAP said, “Although the overall star rating of these models might seem reasonable, the continued reluctance of manufacturers like Toyota to equip safety systems such as ESC and side body and head protection airbags as a basic requirement in India is disappointing. This is why Global NCAP welcomes the Indian government’s initiative of increasing side impact protection requirements and why Global NCAP will update its test protocols as of July."