The Nissan Magnite compact SUV, which was launched in India exactly a month ago on December 2, 2020, has recorded a strong 4-star rating in a crash test conducted by the New Car Assessment Program for Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN NCAP) on December 30. 

As regards front impact, data from the dummies showed there was injury risk to the driver’s chest while the front passenger‘s chest and lower legs received adequate protection. Nevertheless, the SUV’s compartment remained stable in the frontal offset test.

The data obtained showed the driver’s chest had adequate protection during the side impact test.

In the assessment, the tested Magnite successfully obtained 39.02 points for the Adult Occupant Protection category, 16.31 points for Child Occupant Protection and 15.28 points for Safety Assist category. The 5-seater SUV is equipped with standard 2 airbags, Electronic Stability Control and Seatbelt Reminder system for both frontal occupants across all its variants. In addition, the model offers ISOFIX and top tether as a standard fitment. Based on the accumulated score from the three assessed categories with 70.60 points, the Nissan Magnite received a 4-Star ASEAN NCAP rating.

ASEAN NCAP was set up by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) and Global New Car Assessment Program (GNCAP) in December 2011. At this level, ASEAN NCAP is also supported by the membership of automobile associations from Malaysia (AAM), the Philippines (AAP) and Singapore (AA Singapore).

ASEAN NCAP protocol
As per ASEAN NCAP’s rating protocol, listed on its website, starting from 2017 until 2020, instead of a separate rating for Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) and COP, a single rating system was introduced in which AOP contributes 50% of the overall rating with a maximum 36 points from three main assessments: offset frontal, side impact and HPT evaluation.

The test protocol for offset frontal test remains the same, except for the inclusion of Q dummies replacing the existing P dummies. On the other hand, the requirement for side impact test has improved considerably from a legislation test (UN R95) to a more comprehensive test.

Asean NCAP says, "In addition, realising the need to further improve the safety of occupants from side impacts, ASEAN NCAP has introduced additional requirement on the fitment of HPT in which the score is based on Fitment, Rating System (FRS). HPT can be other than an airbag, as long as it protects the head.

However, for technologies other than the conventional curtain or head airbags, the manufacturer is requested to provide evidence that the system is effective, at least in principle before a test can be allowed."