Safety is a top priority when purchasing a car, but the 2024 Honda Amaze has raised eyebrows with its disappointing results in the latest Global NCAP crash tests.
Despite its reputation for reliability, Honda's subcompact sedan fell short under the new, stricter safety protocols. Here’s what the tests revealed and how Honda has responded.
Crash Test Results: A Disappointment
The Honda Amaze, a popular model in India, managed only a 2-star rating for adult safety and a shocking 0-star rating for child protection. These tests were conducted under Global NCAP's updated safety protocols, which are significantly more stringent than the earlier versions.
Adult Safety: The Amaze scored 27.85 out of 34 points, offering good protection for the head and neck of adult occupants in frontal impacts. However, chest protection was deemed only adequate, and knee protection was marginal.
The car’s structure and footwell area were rated stable, but the lack of side head protection and the absence of advanced safety features like electronic stability control (ESC) limited its performance.
Child Safety: The situation was more alarming for child occupants. The car scored just 8.58 out of 49 points. Despite using ISOFIX mounts, the crash tests highlighted risks such as head contact with the interior during a frontal collision.
The rear-facing child seats failed to prevent ejection risks in some cases, further reducing the safety score.
What Went Wrong?
The Honda Amaze’s safety performance under the latest protocols is in stark contrast to its earlier results. In 2019, the South African model scored a respectable 4-star rating under older testing standards. However, the lack of updates in key safety features is evident in the current model.
Limited Safety Features: The Amaze comes with only dual airbags as standard and lacks side or curtain airbags. Features like ESC and advanced seatbelt reminders are absent, which significantly impacted the results.
Updated Testing Standards: The new Global NCAP protocols demand higher levels of safety, especially for child occupants and side impacts. The Amaze was not tested for side pole impacts because it lacked sufficient safety features.
Aging Design: The second-generation Amaze, introduced in 2018, has not been significantly updated to meet modern safety requirements.
Honda’s Response
Honda acknowledged the test results but defended the overall engineering of the Amaze. In a statement, the company pointed out that the car’s total score could have reached a 5-star level if advanced features like ESC and side curtain airbags had been included.
Honda reiterated its commitment to enhancing safety in its upcoming models, with the third-generation Amaze expected to feature major updates.
Looking Ahead: The Third-Generation Amaze
The third-generation Honda Amaze, set to launch soon, is expected to address these safety concerns. Industry experts predict that it will include six airbags, ESC, and other modern safety features as standard, aligning with the updated protocols.
In summary, the recent crash test results are a wake-up call for Honda. While the Amaze has been a reliable and affordable choice for many buyers, its safety performance under current standards leaves much to be desired.
With the third-generation model on the horizon, Honda has the opportunity to regain consumer trust by prioritizing safety. Until then, buyers should carefully weigh their options, especially if safety is a top concern.
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