Maruti Suzuki cars are known for their high mileage and low prices in the Indian market. Due to these features, the automaker has the largest share of the Indian car market. But as far as the safety of its cars is concerned, the latest results of Global NCAP crash tests have put a question mark on it.
On Monday, the Global New Car Assessment Program (Global NCAP) announced the second set of results of the new and more stringent crash test protocols under the #SaferCarsForIndia campaign. The test results cover three models of Maruti Suzuki – Swift, S-Presso, and Ignis tested in its base safety specification with Dual Frontal Airbags and ABS.
All three models performed very poorly in crash tests. These models got only one star in the adult occupant protection category. Swift got one star in the child occupant protection category, while Ignis and S-Presso got zero stars.
ESC or side curtain airbags are not available as standard or optional equipment in any of the Maruti models. Thus, all these three models exhibited unstable structures during front crash testing.
Maruti Suzuki Swift
Maruti Suzuki Swift showed good front impact protection with good head and neck protection offered to the driver and passenger. Still, the driver’s chest showed weak protection, and the passenger’s chest showed adequate protection. However, the driver’s knees and the passenger’s right knee showed minor protection as dangerous structures behind the fascia could impact them.
Maruti Suzuki Ignis
The Maruti Suzuki Ignis car also provides good frontal impact on the head and neck of the driver and passenger. The driver’s chest showed weak protection, and the passenger’s chest showed adequate protection. The driver’s and passenger’s knees showed minor protection as dangerous structures behind the fascia could impact them.
Maruti Suzuki S-Presso
The Maruti Suzuki S-Presso gets good frontal impact protection on the head and neck of the driver and passenger. While the driver’s chest showed poor security, which led to a star capping, and the passenger’s chest showed minor protection. Marginal protection is offered for the driver’s knees as dangerous structures behind the fascia can impact them.
Mahindra Scorpio-N
The results of the Global NCAP test also included the scores of Mahindra Scorpio-N (Mahindra Scorpio-N), which were very good. This model got 5-Star in Adult Occupant Protection and 3-Star in Child Occupant Protection.