While the local auto scene has grown with new players stepping in, popular opinion still tends to favor established brands. Many car owners still swear by Japanese marques, for instance, when asked about the prospect of considering models from Chinese automakers.
The Honda HR-V and Geely Coolray in head-on collision
This Japan-versus-China debate is very much alive in the subcompact crossover class. Geely has been a prominent contender in this category for some time now with the Coolray, challenging the foothold of more established offerings such as the HR-V from Honda.
Ever wonder how will these two fare in an actual showdown? The Chinese New Car Assessment Program (C-NCAP) decided to find out - with a crash test, of course. Both models already have five-star ratings under their belts, as evaluated by the ASEAN New Car Assessment Program (ASEAN NCAP).
Notice some buckling on the HR-V's A-pillar and front door
However, the HR-V in question is the outgoing model released in 2013, and tested under ASEAN NCAP’s old scoring system. On the other hand, the Coolray made its debut in 2018, and its perfect score garnered just last year (by way of its Proton X50 badge-engineered version in Malaysia) was attained using the new rating scale.
The duel called for the two crossovers to smash into each other, simulating a head-on collision at a combined speed of 120 km/h. Both units were total wrecks at the end of the demonstration, with their engine bays completely shot while deploying the airbags for the front occupants. Nevertheless, each vehicle amply demonstrated how and why they earned their respective safety assessments.
In contrast, the Coolray sustained no visible deformation in the same areas
Interestingly, the HR-V’s door frame near the A-pillar had some noticeable buckling, along with the sheet metal on the driver’s side door visibly crumpling at the moment of impact. In contrast, the Coolray’s passenger cell had little to no obvious deformation on the A-pillar, and the front left door was largely untouched. There was some intrusion of the floor panel, less evident on the Coolray than it was on the HR-V.
As the two models were released just half a decade apart, it’s an impressive showing of how much automotive safety technology has evolved in that span of time. The test also proves it’s how the product delivers, regardless of what badge it bears and which country it comes from.
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