Entry-Level Cars Under Fire in Latest Crash Tests

South Africa’s entry-level vehicles have once again been found wanting in terms of safety, with the latest #SaferCarsForAfrica crash tests exposing serious shortcomings. The Global New Car Assessment Programme (GNCAP) has awarded the GWM Haval Jolion a two-star rating for adult protection and three stars for child protection, while the Kia Sonet managed only one star for adults and three stars for children.

The Automobile Association (AA) has raised alarm over these results. Bobby Ramagwede, CEO of the AA, warned: “South African motorists should exercise extreme caution when purchasing a new or used entry-level vehicle, as the recent series of crash tests has shown a worrying trend with entry-level models on sale in South Africa lacking adequate crash safety and, perhaps more worryingly, very few of the vehicles tested offering safety ratings similar to those of the same models on sale abroad.”

He stressed that basic safety features such as side-impact airbags and electronic stability control (ESC) can make a significant difference, often at only marginal cost.

Richard Woods, CEO of Global NCAP, was equally forthright: “It is unacceptable that global manufacturers continue to sell cars in Africa with safety standards they would never offer in markets like Europe. The Kia Sonet’s one-star result and the GWM Haval Jolion’s two-star result show how far the industry still must go. Side-head protection airbags should be standard on every new car, in every market. African motorists deserve the same life-saving protection as drivers in the rest of the world.”

Haval Jolion: Two Stars for Adults, Three for Children

The Jolion was tested with four airbags—front and side body airbags—but lacked head protection. ESC was fitted as standard.

• Frontal impact: Good protection for head, neck, and chest; marginal knee protection.

• Side barrier test: Good protection recorded.

• Side pole test: Not conducted due to missing head airbags.

• Child protection: Full dynamic test protection, but absence of proper marking and no passenger airbag disabling switch reduced rating to three stars.

Kia Sonet: One Star for Adults, Three for Children

The Sonet, fitted with only two airbags, revealed structural weaknesses.

• Frontal crash: Bodyshell and footwell area unstable.

• Side impact: Poor chest protection limited adult rating to one star.

• Child protection: Dynamic test showed full protection, but lack of three-point belts in all seating positions and low CRS installation score reduced rating to three stars.

Market Impact and OEM Responses

Both models are strong sellers, with Jolion averaging 1,200 units per month and Sonet around 800. Ramagwede criticised local OEMs for failing to act on past test results, saying: “We are awaiting meaningful actions to ranges of vehicles tested recently, be these in the announcement of additional safety added to the spec of the entry-level vehicle, the discontinuation of the entry-level model in the wake of the safer next-up model in the range, or in the case of major structural flaws the consumer being availed of options that exist within other model ranges.”

He added that feedback is awaited from Hyundai regarding the Grand i10, Toyota regarding the Starlet and Corolla Cross, and Chery regarding the Tiggo 7 Pro. His closing words were clear: “We cannot continue to put a price on a life.”

Kia responded by noting that higher-spec Sonet derivatives (EX+ and SX) include six airbags as standard, with the SX also offering Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Kia confirmed that a new LS+ derivative, equipped with six airbags, will be introduced later this year, meaning four of five Sonet trims will offer enhanced protection.