Mahindra scores a welcome five star safety rating while Maruti Suzuki disappoints with three popular models scoring only one star each

The second set of results complying with Global NCAP’s new and more demanding crash test protocols were published in the #SaferCarsForIndia campaign today, supported by the FIA Foundation and Bloomberg Philanthropies.

The Mahindra Scorpio-N scored five stars for adult occupant protection and three stars for child occupant protection. The Maruti Suzuki Swift achieved one star for adult and one star for child occupant protection. The Maruti Suzuki S-Presso and Ignis both scored only one star for adult occupant protection and zero stars for child occupant protection.

The Mahindra Scorpio-N was tested in its basic safety specification fitted with two frontal airbags and ABS. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and side curtain airbags are not standard however curtain airbags are standard in the majority of units produced. The lack of three point seatbelts affected the child occupant protection result, limiting it to only three stars.

The three Maruti Suzuki models, the Swift, S-Presso and Ignis, were tested in their basic safety specification with two frontal airbags and ABS. None of the three models provide ESC or side curtain airbags as standard or as optional equipment. All three models demonstrated unstable structures during frontal crash testing.

Global NCAP’s updated protocols assess frontal and side impact protection for all tested models, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), pedestrian protection and side impact pole protection assessments are also required for vehicles scoring the highest star ratings. More information on the latest protocol requirements can be found on the Global NCAP web site. (https://www.globalncap.org/resources).

Alejandro Furas, Secretary General of Global NCAP said,

“Global NCAP congratulates Mahindra on its continuing commitment to safety, achieving five stars for adult occupant protection under our new, more demanding crash test protocols. However, 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.”

David Ward, Executive President of the Towards Zero Foundation said,

"Indian manufacturers such as Mahindra have clearly demonstrated their ongoing commitment to improving vehicle safety performance. This is very welcome and we look forward to this promising momentum being maintained when Bharat NCAP is launched next year.

“It is again disappointing that Maruti Suzuki have failed to match the safety progress being made by their competitors. At least now Indian Government regulations are forcing the company to apply minimum safety standards. But surely they should care enough about their customers to do much better than that.”

Saul Billingsley, Executive Director of FIA Foundation said,

“The failure of all three tested Maruti Suzuki models to achieve a safe rating showcases a disregard for the safety of Indian drivers, passengers and road users alike. The #SaferCarsForIndia campaign has shown how quickly manufacturers can adapt to meet Global NCAP’s safety standards and it is time for Maruti Suzuki to learn from other regional manufacturers like Mahindra.”

Mahindra Scorpio-N
Read the full crash test report
Watch the crash test video
Download crash test image

Maruti Suzuki Swift
Read the full crash test report
Watch the crash test video
Download crash test image

Maruti Suzuki S-Presso
Read the full crash test report
Watch the crash test video
Download crash test image

Maruti Suzuki Ignis
Read the full crash test report
Watch the crash test video
Download crash test image

Note to Editors:

The Mahindra Scorpio was tested in compliance with the requirements of Global NCAP’s voluntary test procedure.

Safer Cars For India Campaign

The #SaferCarsForIndia campaign was launched by Global NCAP in 2014 with the objective of promoting safer vehicles in the country. Between 2014 and 2022 Global NCAP has completed sixty safety assessments which have acted as an important catalyst in the safety improvement of Indian cars. www.globalncap.org

Global NCAP is a major programme of the Towards Zero Foundation, a UK based charity working internationally in support of the new UN Decade of Action for Road Safety, with a goal of halving road deaths and serious injuries by 2030.