Old Maruti Dzire Vs New Dzire: Global NCAP Crash Tests Compared [Video]
With just days left for the official launch, Maruti Suzuki has released the crash test results of the new Dzire. The new Dzire has been awarded a full five-star safety rating by Global NCAP. The previous generation Dzire, if you recall, had scored just stars and was labelled unsafe. This brings to light the extent of focus Maruti Suzuki has had on improving safety- both with structural improvements and with technology.
2024 Maruti Dzire Safety: GNCAP Results
The fourth-generation sedan scored 31.24 points out of 34 in Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) and 39.20 out of 42 in Child Occupant Protection (COP). In other words, the new car scored 5 stars in adult safety and 4 in child safety. It has also become the first Maruti car to score a 5-star safety rating in GNCAP crash tests.
The body shell was rated as stable and able to withstand further loadings. The results say that the footwell area was stable as well. The driver dummy had marginal chest protection in the front impact test. Protection to the head and neck areas was good.
The side pole test results had good head, abdomen and pelvis protection. For the chest, it was marginal. Adult occupant dummies also enjoyed full protection in side impact tests. The head, chest, abdomen and pelvis were protected. The doors handled the side impact nearly well. The ESC also lived up to expectations with its performance.
The 2024 Dzire comes with a better build than before. Though not too evident, the body panels now feel a touch more solid compared to the previous generation. The car also comes with various safety tech and equipment such as 6 airbags, ABS, EBD, ESC, all 3-point seat belts (with reminders), ISOFIX mounts, pretensioners for seat belts and front load limiters. It even complies with the UN 127 pedestrian protection norms.
As for child safety, the sedan performed well, again. The ISOFIX mounts, together with a forward-facing child seat, could prevent excessive forward movement during the front impact test. The protection offered to the head and chest were good while that of the next was marginal.
A rearward-facing child seat was, however, able to prevent head exposure. The car comes with a front airbag that cannot be turned off. This means that you won’t be able to mount a rearward-facing CRS on the co-driver seat. This limitation made the Dzire lose some points.
Third-Generation Maruti Dzire GNCAP Results
To spill clarity on how much the car has improved on the safety front, Global NCAP also conducted crash tests on the outgoing Dzire ( third-generation). As expected, the results were quite disappointing. The car scored an overall two-star rating. Both Adult and Child safety were rated at 2 stars. Plus, the bodyshell and footwell were rated unstable as well. The side impact test delivered weak protection to the chest and the pole test wasn’t even conducted.
When seated in a rearward-facing CRS, the child dummy’s head had contact with the car’s interior. This, plus the lack of all 3-point seatbelts at the rear, seems to have compromised Child Safety. The tested car had just two airbags and an ESC on offer.
The production of the third-generation Dzire will end later this year, and the model is going to continue only in the Tour S guise, for the fleet segments. GNCAP’s official website says ‘ Global NCAP understands production of this model will come to an end this year’. This brings us to the question ‘Why did they do it then?’
Well, it could be out of goodwill to demonstrate the extent to which the carmaker has made its progress in ensuring safety, or out of ‘other interests’- for better projecting and placing the upcoming car. India’s growing concern and awareness of vehicle safety and dependence on evaluation systems like GNCAP is as much a checkbox as an opportunity! You know what we are talking about…