The new Dzire has become the first Maruti car to achieve a 5-star safety rating in the Global NCAP crash test

The new Maruti Suzuki Dzire, launched in the Indian market this week, has set a new safety standard by achieving a five-star rating for adult occupant protection and a four-star rating for child occupant safety in the voluntary Global NCAP crash tests. This achievement makes the new Dzire the first Maruti Suzuki model to receive such high safety ratings, underscoring the brand’s commitment to improving vehicle safety.

New Maruti Dzire 5 Star Safety Rating

Equipped with six airbags, electronic stability control (ESC) and pedestrian protection as standard, the new Dzire has undergone rigorous testing as part of Global NCAP protocols. These tests include frontal and side impact assessments, as well as assessments for ESC and pedestrian protection. For vehicles aiming for top ratings, side pillar impact ratings are also required.

The Dzire impressed in several safety categories

Leg structure and integrity: Rated stable, able to withstand additional loading.

Occupant safety: Three-point seat belts are provided in all seating positions and i-Size anchor points are included as standard. While the driver’s chest protection in the frontal test was rated as marginal, the pillar test showed full head protection, and side impact tests confirmed full protection for adult passengers.

Child Protection: The 18-month-old mannequin received full protection, while the three-year-old mannequin showed strong head and chest protection. Neck protection for child occupants could be improved by using a rear-facing child restraint system (CRS). The side impact test also highlighted the full protection of child passengers.

David Ward, Executive Chairman of the Towards Zero Foundation said: “The Dzire’s new five-star rating sets a significant safety standard for Maruti Suzuki compared to the previous version of this model and others from Maruti that we have tested . Global NCAP warmly welcomes this voluntary benchmark test result. We are optimistic that in the future Maruti will try to achieve this high level of safety performance in their model range. If they do, it will be a game changer for vehicle safety for Indian consumers.”

Comparative Analysis: Old vs New Dzire

The previous generation Dzire, assessed as part of a previous Global NCAP initiative, received a modest two-star rating for both adult and child occupant protection. This model only offered two front airbags and standard ESC. Structural evaluations showed an unstable rating for the body area and leg area, and side impact tests indicated poor chest protection for adult occupants. Additionally, the old Dzire lacked side head protection, disqualifying it from the pole test.

Child protection in the previous Dzire was compromised by the absence of three-point seat belts in all seating positions and the contact of the child dummy with the interior of the car, resulting in lower ratings.

A step forward for Maruti Suzuki and consumer safety

The introduction of the 2024 Dzire is a pivotal step for Maruti Suzuki, reinforcing its commitment to enhanced safety protocols and enhanced vehicle safety features. This significant progress signals the company’s shift towards prioritizing the safety of its consumers and aligns with global standards for automotive safety. As the outgoing Dzire model is phasing out this year, Maruti Suzuki’s move towards improved safety in its models is a promising development for the Indian auto industry and its consumers.