Two of SA's best-selling cars score just 1 or 2 stars in crash tests

Two of South Africa's most popular cars just failed to impress in independent crash tests. The Kia Sonet scored only one star for adult occupant protection. The GWM Haval Jolion got two stars. Both cars are sold in large numbers locally.

The tests were done by Global NCAP under its #SaferCarsForAfrica programme. The Kia Sonet's footwell area and bodyshell were unstable during testing. Global NCAP said the car may not withstand greater crash forces. In side-impact tests, poor chest protection dragged down its score. The Haval Jolion did better — good head, neck and chest protection in frontal and side impacts.

But knee protection was only marginal. And neither car has side head-protection airbags as standard, so the tougher side pole test was skipped.

Child occupant protection was better for both — three stars each. But both lost points for missing features. The Haval Jolion lacks proper markings and a passenger airbag deactivation switch. The Kia Sonet doesn't have three-point seatbelts in all seats, no airbag switch, and scored lower on child restraint installation.

Global NCAP CEO Richard Woods didn't hold back. "It's unacceptable that global manufacturers continue to sell cars in Africa with safety standards they'd never offer in markets like Europe," he said. He added that side head-protection airbags should be standard on all new vehicles everywhere.

The Automobile Association of South Africa agrees. AA CEO Bobby Ramagwede warned that recent crash tests show a troubling pattern among entry-level vehicles sold in SA. He urged motorists to be careful when buying new or used budget cars, noting that some models sold locally don't offer the same protection as versions sold overseas.

This isn't the first time Global NCAP has called out carmakers selling weaker safety in Africa. The organisation has tested dozens of models over the years. Many popular cars sold in Nigeria, Kenya, and other African markets also score poorly compared to their European or American versions. The Kia Sonet and Haval Jolion are both assembled or imported into South Africa in large numbers. The Haval Jolion is one of GWM's best-sellers locally.

The Kia Sonet competes in the hotly contested compact SUV segment.

For now, both cars still meet South Africa's legal safety requirements. But those requirements are lower than what Europe demands. So the onus is on buyers to check safety ratings before signing. As Woods put it, side head-protection airbags should be a given — not an optional extra that depends on where you live.