Is the Chevrolet brand known for sturdy vehicles?
Could it have one of the worst safety models?
Shocking test results revealed
Chevrolet is typically associated with safety and reliability. Many of its vehicles score well in crash tests conducted by respected organizations like the U.S. IIHS and Euro NCAP. Until recently, Chevrolet was even seen as superior to Hyundai and Kia regarding safety.
However, recent crash test results have raised eyebrows. One of Chevrolet’s compact SUVs, the Groove, shockingly received the lowest possible safety score in the Latin NCAP (New Car Assessment Program for Central and South America). Unlike many vehicles that achieve at least some level of recognition in safety tests, the Chevrolet Groove didn’t earn a single star, sending a strong message about its safety shortcomings.
The Chevrolet Groove, a strategic model for the Latin American market, sells the most in Chile
On September 25, Latin NCAP revealed the crash test results for the Chevrolet Groove, a compact crossover launched in 2020 as a strategic model for overseas markets like Central and South America and the Middle East. Priced attractively at around $12,000, the Groove has become a popular choice, even topping sales charts in Chile.
However, the crash test results bring new meaning to the saying, “Cheap means bad quality.” The Groove’s driver protection performance was less than reassuring in the tests. It received marginal protection for the chest, knee, and foot—an average score within Latin NCAP’s five-tier system, which includes sound, adequate, marginal, weak, and poor. More concerning was the Vulnerable Road Users it received for cervical spine protection, signaling a significant safety risk for drivers in the event of an accident.
No curtain airbags?
Even Latin NCAP advises to “stay away”
The vulnerable occupant protection performance was revealed even more clearly in the side impact test. When the barrier collided with the right side of the vehicle, the B pillar penetrated deep into the interior. As a result, the shoulder, pelvis, and head of the passenger seat passenger can be seen colliding strongly with the vehicle structure. Thanks to the side airbag deployed, the impact on the chest and abdomen, where major organs are located, was somewhat reduced. However, the absence of the curtain airbag raises concerns about the possibility of severe head injury.
Looking at the overall safety evaluation scores, adult occupant protection was 39.42%, child occupant protection was 68.57%, pedestrian protection was 36.37%, and ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) was only 58.14%. While other vehicles with poor safety scores often receive two stars, the Chevrolet Groove did not receive a single star. “We strongly recommend consumers avoid this model until meaningful improvements are made and tested,” said Stephan Brodziak, chairman of Latin NCAP.
“How did such a car come from Chevrolet?”
The truth is that it’s actually a Chinese vehicle
Some argue, “The cheaper the car, the easier it is to compromise on safety.” While this holds some truth, other budget vehicles have managed better safety ratings than the Chevrolet Groove. For instance, the Dacia Sandero, a compact SUV targeted at Europe’s low-cost market, received two stars in the Euro NCAP safety tests. Meanwhile, the Toyota Raize, another budget-friendly compact SUV sold in Central and South America, also fared poorly, receiving a zero-star rating in the Latin NCAP tests in early September.
This raises the question: Why did Chevrolet, a brand often associated with safety, release a vehicle with such poor crash test results? The answer lies in the vehicle’s origins. The Chevrolet Groove isn’t an American car; it’s a badge-engineered version of the Wuling Baojun 510, a model produced by General Motors (Chevrolet’s parent company) in collaboration with China’s Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC). While the Groove carries the Chevrolet badge, no substantial safety improvements were made, and the vehicle is entirely manufactured in China.
Most Commented