News24 | WATCH | Toyota’s popular Corolla Cross gets two-star safety rating, AA CEO raises concerns

1 month ago 8

The locally built Toyota Corolla Cross has scored a two-star safety rating for adult occupant protection in the latest Global NCAP crash test results.

The Toyota Corolla Cross scored a two-star safety rating for adult occupant protection.
The results were revealed in the latest Global NCAP crash test.
Automobile Association SA CEO Bobby Ramagwede says the results are deeply concerning for a locally built vehicle.

For the past few weeks, Hyundai’s much-loved Grand i10 has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons: scoring a zero-safety rating for adult occupant protection in a recent Global NCAP crash test.

Now, another South African favourite has also received a lower-than-expected score in the latest NCAP test results: the locally built Toyota Corolla Cross.

It is in the spotlight after the latest #SaferCarsForAfrica campaign crash test results from the Global NCAP revealed that it received a two-star rating for adult occupant protection, due to the absence of standard side head protection.

The Automobile Association (AA)’s Chief Executive Officer, Bobby Ramagwede, was in Cape Town on Tuesday for an exclusive interview with News24 to express concern about the vehicle, despite achieving three stars for child occupant protection.

Ramagwede says the results clearly demonstrate shortcomings in the level of safety provided to adults in the version sold across African markets, including South Africa.

The Toyota Corolla Cross, built at the automaker’s Prospecton Plant in Durban, is one of the most popular cars in South Africa. According to the latest naamsa (Automotive Business Council) report, Toyota sold 2 766 units in December, of which 2 417 found new homes, and 321 went to the rental market.

The Corolla Cross still offers several safety features, and most South Africans probably won’t be phased by the rating, since it still offers dual front airbags, side body airbags, a driver knee airbag, and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). However, no side head protection is provided in the South African models, a critical component recognised as essential for modern vehicle safety.

Toyota Corolla Cross.

However, Ramagwede feels local motorists’ perceptions need to change. Ramagwede told News24: “The lives and safety of consumers should always be a far greater consideration than cost-savings based on vehicle safety. The local buyer is certainly entitled to the same level of vehicle safety spec as other global markets.”

Ramagwede added: “These results are deeply concerning. There really is no excuse for the lack of side head protection in the popular Toyota Corolla Cross. South African motorists deserve better, especially exasperated in this case, considering that the Corolla Cross is locally built for South Africans.

“The two-star rating reinforces the urgent need for manufacturers to commit to equal safety for all markets. This result underlines why Africa urgently needs stronger regulatory standards and greater manufacturer accountability. The AA believes no vehicle should be sold here without side head protection for the front and rear rows. Safety should never be an optional extra, and certainly not reserved for markets outside Africa.”

Toyota SA responds
Commenting on the results, Toyota Motors South Africa (TMSA) told News24 that it didn’t affect the car’s structural integrity.

“TMSA is aware of the statement issued by the Automobile Association (AA) regarding the latest Global NCAP results for the Corolla Cross. The results relate to specifications that do not compromise the vehicle’s structural integrity. Notwithstanding this, TSAM confirms that the locally manufactured Corolla Cross meets and exceeds all applicable local legislative safety requirements.”

The automaker also said the Corolla Cross was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including SRS driver, passenger, and side airbags, as well as driver knee airbags and curtain shield airbags on XR and GR-S models. The vehicle also incorporates advanced safety features such as front and rear seatbelt pre-tensioners and force limiters, dual-row occupant detection, and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), which includes ABS, Brake Assist, and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) across all models.

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The automaker added: “The Global NCAP results coincide with an ongoing internal review of standardised curtain shield airbag fitment across the entire Corolla Cross range for the local market. This review aligns with Toyota’s global philosophy of kaizen (continuous improvement), which guides TSAM’s ongoing commitment to enhancing product safety, quality, and performance throughout the Toyota Production System.

“The Toyota brand is synonymous with quality, durability and reliability; and TSAM assures all Corolla Cross customers that this brand promise remains unwavering.”

ALSO READ | Toyota’s new Corolla Cross is still South Africa’s favourite family SUV

Notable safety failures

However, the Global NCAP’s assessment exposed several findings in the Toyota Corolla Cross safety performance testing:

The footwell area was found to be unstable and unable to withstand further loading (the bodyshell was rated as stable).
Side impact showed recognised protection of the head, abdomen, and pelvis, with adequate protection of the chest.
Child protection received three stars, owing to the lack of passenger airbag disconnection and the head of the three-year-old dummy being exposed in both side and frontal impact tests.
Side pole impact was not performed as the car does not offer standard side head protection for the front and rear rows. The lack of this kind of protection exposes the head to the risk of severe injury (even in a low-speed side impact with a pole or tree).

‘Democratising vehicle safety”

Global NCAP Chief Executive Officer, Richard Woods, stated in a release: “Manufacturers like Toyota know how to build safer vehicles and consumers in Africa deserve the same levels of safety performance, which are fitted standard in other parts of the world. Highlighting this disparity and democratising vehicle safety in Africa is a Global NCAP priority.”

The AA is advocating for a dedicated Africa NCAP programme, enabling greater testing rigour and transparency for vehicles available across the continent.

What is the Global NCAP?

The Toyota Corolla Cross was tested as part of the #SaferCarsForAfrica campaign. Global NCAP is a UK-registered charity working internationally to democratise vehicle safety in support of the UN Global Goals. Between 2014 and 2026, the organisation completed more than 100 safety assessments, driving significant improvements in the safety of vehicles sold in both India and Africa.

Watch the full News24 interview with AA CEO Bobby Ramagwede in the video above the article.