Watch: Maruti Suzuki Swift, S-Presso, Ignis Crash Test by GNCAP; Get 1 Star Rating

Maruti Suzuki Swift, S-Presso and Ignis scored a dismal 1-star crash test rating under Global NCAP's test protocol.  

Although some of the Maruti Suzuki cars are among the best-sellers in India, the company's ability to offer safety has been yet again questioned in the latest Global NCAP crash tests. Under the #SaferCarsForIndia campaign, Global NCAP examined a range of vehicles including the Swift, S-Presso, and Ignis. These models were crash-tested as per the new and more stringent GNCAP protocols and could only manage a dismal 1-star rating.

The S-Presso has received 20.03/34 scores in adult occupant safety and 3.52/49 in child occupant safety whereas the Swift has managed to score only 19.19/34 in adult safety & 16.68/49 in child safety. The Ignis managed a score of 16.48/34 in adult occupant safety and 3.86/49 in child occupant protection. The lack of side airbags and ESC as a standard feature or as an option, as well as the fact that all three Maruti vehicles displayed unstable structures in the case of a frontal accident, were observed by Global NCAP in the crash tests.

On the underperformance of the leading carmaker in terms of car safety, Alejandro Furas, Secretary General of Global NCAP stated 'It is of great concern that the manufacturer with the largest market share in India, Maruti Suzuki, still offers such poorly performing models, which don’t even make some key safety systems available to consumers in India as optional equipment.'

The S-Presso and the Swift have been tested previously also by the Global NCAP, and at that time as well the safety rating was underwhelming. In the name of safety, the models singularly offer basic features such as rear parking sensors and ABS with EBD, dual front airbags, etc. 

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