Which car got a zero-star safety rating from Global NCAP?

KUALA LUMPUR: Yes, in this day and age too there is a car that's been awarded a zero-safety rating. Without much of a surprise, the one we are talking about is the Chinese-built Great Wall Steed 5 pickup.

The said safety check is part of the Safer Cars for Africa initiative, wherein Global NCAP inspects the car via crash test to see its viability. For the exercise, the agency picked Steed 5's base trim as it is the most vulnerable in the event of a crash/accident.

The African-spec Great Wall Steed 5 pickup misses out on even the basic safety elements - no airbags, anti-lock braking system, or electronic brakeforce distribution system. And therefore its zero safety rating doesn't seem like a shock.

However, what did surprise us was the car's and dummy's condition after the Global NCAP crash test. For instance, in the 64 kmph front collision test, the dummy's head got slammed against the steering wheel and post-collision analysis indicated clear deformation in steering wheel movement and passenger compartment.

This reminded us of the Nissan NP300 Hardbody that also obtained a similar rating in the Global NCAP 2017 crash test. The car showed extreme chances of life-threatening injuries in the test and was called "ridiculously misnamed as its body shell has collapsed.”

Wondering how much this zero-safety rated Chinese pickup costs? Well, the base model that was tested by Global NCAP is priced at 202,900 South African Rand (approx. 54,367). Also part of the lineup is the Steed 5 SX variant with dual airbags and ABS with EBD and the new Safety Version that comes with essential safety gears.

Also Read: VW ID.3 scores 5-star rating at Euro NCAP safety test