Maruti Baleno Scores 4 Stars In B-NCAP Crash Test: New Dzire Scores 5 Stars
When Maruti Suzuki launched the new Baleno in 2022, one of the standout features was the enhanced safety suite. In addition to improving the body strength and quality, the hatchback also had multiple airbags (the top-spec has six of them), ABS with EBD, ESC, reverse parking sensors, speed alert system, seat belt reminder system, seat belt pre-tensioners and load limiters, and Isofix child seat mounts. What remained unknown was the actual crash test ratings. Bharat NCAP (Bharat New Car Assessment Programme) has now crash-tested the Baleno, alongside the new Dzire. The Dzire excelled by scoring a full five-star rating while Baleno slightly disappointed by scoring four stars.
New Baleno Scores Four Stars In BNCAP Crash Tests
The Delta AGS and Alpha AGS variants of the Baleno were tested, but the body said that the ratings will apply to other variants as well. The hatchback scored a four-star rating in adult occupant protection and three stars in child occupant protection. The higher variants- Zeta and Alpha performed better in adult safety than lower variants like Sigma and Delta. The child protection scores remained almost identical.
The Delta and Sigma variants scored 24.04 points out of 32 in adult occupant protection whereas the Zeta and Alpha scored 26.52. The child occupant protection score was 34.81 out of 49.
In the frontal offset deformable barrier test, the hatchback scored 11.54 out of 16. In the side movable deformable barrier test, the scores stood at 14.99/ 16.
New Maruti Dzire Scores Five Stars In BNCAP Crash Test
When the new Dzire launched in November 2024, the carmaker was highly confident about its safety levels. The car was built strong and had a long list of safety tech on offer. Now, BNCAP has crash-tested the sedan.
The Dzire has scored a 5-star rating and has become the first sedan in India to do so, in Bharat NCAP tests. Most vehicles tested under this program have been SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles). Thus, a sedan getting five-star rated stands extra special.
The program tested the base-spec LXI 1.2L variant with a manual transmission but mentioned the results to apply to other variants as well. The car scored five stars in both adult and child occupant protection.
In adult protection, the Dzire scored 29.46 points out of 32 while the child protection score stood at 41.57 out of 49. In the frontal offset deformable barrier test, it scored 14.17 out of 16. In the side movable deformable barrier test, the car scored 15.29 out of 16. In the side impact pole test, it was rated 'OK'.
On the child protection front, the sedan scored 41.57 points in the Dynamic and Child Restraint System (CRS) installation system (23.57 out of 24 and 12 out of 12 respectively).
Maruti Leadership Speaks
Commenting on the achievement, Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said "It is heartening to see Hon’ble Minister’s passionate and concerted efforts towards road safety. Bharat NCAP brings to India, the stringent vehicle testing protocols that will help customers make informed decisions.
Our gratitude and appreciation to the Government of India and all the testing agencies for their commitment and efforts in this direction. We are honoured to receive the prestigious Bharat NCAP certification today."
Presenting the certificate to the carmaker, Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways said “It gives me immense pride to see made-in-India, high-volume mainstream cars achieve exemplary safety ratings under BNCAP. I congratulate Maruti Suzuki on securing a 5-star safety rating for the all-new Dzire.”