Indian Made Toyota Starlet Improves Crash Test Score

The Toyota Starlet (basically a rebadged Toyota Glanza) was crash tested for the second time by Global NCAP. It has received four stars for adult occupant protection. Made in India and exported to South Africa, the Toyota Starlet was tested again after some changes were made by Toyota in the African market. This is a massive improvement from the zero stars it had got back in May 2026, when the previous 2-airbag base version’s test results had been made public. The Glanza/Starlet is based on the Maruti Suzuki Baleno and is manufactured by Suzuki for both brands.  

While Toyota had declined to participate in a voluntary test with an improved and updated car, it had reacted to the zero stars. Toyota subsequently updated the Starlet’s safety equipment some time ago, to now offer a standard specification, more similar to the standard Glanza in India. It is that updated car that has been involuntarily tested by Global NCAP and shows the marked improvement. “We welcome Toyota's decision to upgrade the Starlet in South Africa, this four star result demonstrates what can be achieved when manufacturers make safety a priority. We encourage all manufacturers to adopt similar improvements and to fit life-saving equipment as standard in the markets they serve. Safety should never be reduced to an optional extra.” said Richard Woods, CEO, Global NCAP.

So, the car now gets 6 airbags, including curtain airbags, which now offers much better side head protection to occupants. It also gets isofix, anti-lock brakes, stability control, a 3-point rear seatbelt for the middle passenger, seatbelt warnings for all, and child locks – all of this is standard.  
It fell short of a 5-star rating as its body shell was still rated unstable, and not capable of withstanding further loadings in the frontal test. In the side and pole impact tests the car did well for head and abdomen protection for adult occupants. The car could do with stronger protection for chest area which was only seen as adequate. On the child occupant protection – the result is unchanged from before, maintaining a 3-star score. The car loses out on points due to inadequate head protection for rear child passengers. Bobby Ramagwede, CEO, Automobile Association of South Africa said, “Improving safety needn’t cost much nor affect the production of entry-level model ranges. The result, when manufacturers prioritise the safety of their customers, saves many lives and revives the image of the industry.”

The Starlet is made in India and sold as the Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Toyota Glanza here. It has been exported to South Africa and several other markets, alongside many other models common to both brands. The standard safety equipment across both Starlet and Baleno are now at par with the specification of both corresponding models in India too.

The related models in South Africa – Toyota Starlet Cross and Suzuki Fronx also have had similar updates. They are sold in India as the Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor and Maruti Suzuki Fronx.