While it may have a cult fan following and be the choice of an enthusiast, the Maruti Suzuki Swift has failed to deliver when it comes to safety. The 2018 model scored just two stars in adult occupancy protection due to ‘high compression to the driver chest, unstable structure and poor protection for the feet explained by pedal displacement on the driver side’, as per the Global NCAP crash test report. The test car had two airbags in the front, front seatbelt pretensioners and ISOFIX anchorages, but did not have ABS. The Global NCAP report concluded that its structure was rated unstable and not capable of withstanding further loadings.
As per the report, the protection to the head and neck of the driver and passenger was good. The report also stated that, ‘the driver chest showed weak protection while passenger chest showed adequate protection. Driver’s knees showed marginal protection and passenger’s knees marginal and adequate protection as they could impact with dangerous structures behind the dashboard supported by the Tranfascia tube’. What it also means is, because of the unstable structure, poor protection is offered to the feet during a crash scenario.
The car also scored low when it came to child protection, with a two-star rating. The test results showed poor protection for head and chest of the forward facing 18-month old dummy. Protection for the three-year old dummy in the chest area was also poor, while offering adequate protection to the head.
According to the Global NCAP report, the Suzuki Swifts sold in European and Japanese markets performed well in crash test as compared to the Indian version. The Indian version underperformed in the frontal barrier off set crash test (crash test performed at 64kmph) due to lack of safety features like side body and curtain airbags and Electronic Stability Control (ESC), which are offered as standard equipment in markets like Europe. In India, these safety features are not even offered as an option.
“The latest version of the Swift sold in India has improved and it is good to see dual airbags as standard. This confirms the beneficial effect of the Indian Government’s new crash test regulations. But the performance of the Swift sold in Europe and Japan shows that a better safety performance is still possible so Global NCAP would like to see Maruti Suzuki aim higher.”
“Maruti Suzuki proved with the Brezza that they can produce locally models with high safety performance. They should do the same with the Swift and at least make it available in the model range added safety features available as standard in the European and Japanese version”.
While the Thrill of Driving sure is important, offering good safety for the driver and passengers should also be a top priority for all the car manufacturers in the country. It is a damp squib that India’s favorite hatch didn’t match the expectations when it came to saving its occupants.
Watch the crash test video of the Maruti Suzuki Swift here.