Remember the incident of Daihatsu admitting that there were some gaps in its submission of compulsory United Nations-standard crash test results on some of the models it developed. Specifically, the Daihatsu-developed DNGA platform Toyota Vios unit submitted for testing had a different door component that was yet to be installed on production cars.

Now, ASEAN NCAP, the independent road safety agency funded by the FIA, United Nations, and Global NCAP – the umbrella body for regional NCAP organizations including Euro NCAP, Australia-New Zealand's Australasia NCAP (ANCAP), China’s CNCAP, Japan’s JNCAP, Korea’s KNCAP, each adapted to their own local market requirements – has released its crash test results for the AC100 generation 2023 Toyota Vios.

The 2023 Toyota Vios scored the maximum 5 stars, although it should be noted that ASEAN NCAP singled out its side-impact performance for being on the weaker end of the spectrum, more on that later.

ASEAN NCAP's results are consistent with the ones released by independent United Nations-approved Belgian agency Vincotte in May, in a re-test that was witnessed by Thai road transport authorities.

The re-test showed the production car part still met the United Nations R95 standard for side-impact protection, thus no recall was necessary.

Also read: After re-test, Thailand confirms no fault, no recalls needed for Toyota Vios, deliveries resumed

However, ASEAN NCAP noted that side-impact protection for adult occupants, specifically the chest area, was weak. It scored just 6.64 points out of the maximum 8 points.

It should be stressed that overall, with child protection and advanced driving aids performance assessment included, the Toyota Vios still qualifies for the maximum 5 stars.

If you are wondering how the Toyota Vios compares against its main rival the Honda City, well you can’t because ASEAN NCAP’s test on the Honda City was done in 2020, using an older, more relaxed test protocol.

The current 2021 – 2025 protocol has stricter requirements, including dynamic assessment for motorcyclist safety (blind spot monitoring) – a unique criteria specific to ASEAN NCAP. Actual dynamic testing on effectiveness of autonomous emergency braking (AEB), which Toyota refers to as Pre-Collision System (PCS) are also conducted.

If you really insist on making some form of comparison, you can look at scores of the Honda WR-V and Honda HR-V, which are tested using the 2021 – 2025 protocol. Both models are built on a similar platform / basic front-half structure as the Honda City.

Compared to the two Hondas, the Toyota Vios performed poorer on side impact protection for the chest area (front occupant). Both the Honda WR-V and Honda HR-V scored a maximum of 8.00 points for side-impact protection, versus the Toyota Vios’ 6.64 points.

However, the Toyota Vios closed the gap in overall scores and still qualifies for a 5-star because it gets additional bonus points for its higher fitment rate of curtain airbags across its variants, not because the Toyota has a stronger structure.

The Daihatsu-developed DNGA platform Toyota Vios scored 28.20 points for Adult Occupant Protection (frontal and side impact) out of maximum 32.00 points. The Honda WR-V scored 28.00 points, the HR-V scored 27.41 points, because in other countries, curtain airbags are limited to higher range variants.

However in Malaysia, the Honda City already comes with 6 airbags as standard – same as the Toyota Vios. ASEAN NCAP also considers fitment curtain airbag fitment rates in other major markets in Southeast Asia, including Thailand and Indonesia, thus explains the additional bonus points for Toyota.

The test was conducted on MIROS’ PC3 lab in Melaka, witnessed by representatives from JPJ, PDRM and Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS). The tested vehicle came from UMW Toyota’s Bukit Raja plant.

Fun fact: When Honda Motor learned that the Malaysian government wants to setup its first independent crash test facility, Honda Motor offered to send its best engineers to help setup the MIROS’ PC3 lab, for free. 

There was no grand press announcement, and you won’t see any commemorative plaque at the facility thanking Honda for their contribution, but if you use Google Maps’ satellite view, you will see Honda Motor’s corporate logo on MIROS PC3 lab’s roof.

It also helps that the PC3 lab is located in Melaka, not too far away from Honda Malaysia's Pegoh plant. Honda considers it a way of contributing back to Malaysia, and Melaka, on top of giving us Malaysians the highest safety standards for its cars. Honda Sensing for example, is now standard on the updated 2023 Honda City.

Also read: Facelifted 2023 Honda City in Malaysia: Summary of differences between the 5 variants, we select the best choice for you