Toyota Kirloskar Motor's Innova HyCross has received a 5-star safety rating from Bharat NCAP, India's vehicle safety assessment program. Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari presented the certificate to company officials in New Delhi on Tuesday.
The rating applies to both adult and child occupant protection categories under Bharat NCAP's evaluation framework. The assessment marks a notable achievement for the hybrid vehicle in India's domestic safety testing program.
Bharat NCAP, established as India's comprehensive vehicle safety evaluation system, conducts crash tests and safety assessments for vehicles sold in the domestic market. The program aims to provide consumers with standardized safety information when making vehicle purchasing decisions.
The Innova HyCross incorporates several safety technologies, including Toyota Safety Sense driver assistance features, six airbags across all trim levels, Vehicle Stability Control, and Anti-lock Braking System with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution. The vehicle is constructed on Toyota's New Global Architecture platform, designed for structural rigidity and crash protection.
"Safety is the fundamental pillar of our product development, manufacturing process, and customer-first approach," said Varinder Wadhwa, Vice President of Sales-Service-Used Car Business at Toyota Kirloskar Motor. The company views the rating as recognition of its commitment to vehicle safety standards.
Toyota launched the Innova HyCross in November 2022 as a hybrid electric vehicle targeting the multi-purpose vehicle segment. The model has recorded sales of 135,000 units in India since its introduction, according to company figures.
The vehicle features self-charging hybrid technology and competes in India's growing SUV and MPV market segments. Toyota Kirloskar Motor operates two manufacturing plants in Bidadi, Karnataka, with combined production capacity of 342,000 units annually.