The newly launched Maruti Suzuki Dzire in the Indian market has established a new safety standard, securing a five-star rating for adult occupant protection and a four-star rating for child occupant safety in the Global NCAP‘s voluntary crash tests. This milestone marks the first time a Maruti Suzuki model has garnered such high safety accolades, emphasizing the brand’s dedication to improving vehicle safety.
New Maruti Dzire 5 Star Safety Rating
The new Dzire comes standard with six airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and pedestrian protection, having been thoroughly tested under Global NCAP’s protocols. This testing encompasses frontal and side impact evaluations, along with checks for ESC functionality and pedestrian safety. Additionally, vehicles contending for the highest ratings must undergo side pole impact tests.
Dzire Impressed in Multiple Safety Categories
Structure and Footwell Integrity: Rated stable, capable of withstanding additional loading.
Occupant Safety: All seating positions are equipped with three-point seat belts, and ISOFIX anchorages come as standard. Although the driver’s chest protection was deemed marginal in the frontal test, the pole test indicated complete head protection, and side impact assessments verified comprehensive protection for adult occupants.
Child Protection: The dummy representing an 18-month-old was fully protected, whereas the three-year-old dummy demonstrated robust protection for the head and chest. The use of a rearward-facing child restraint system (CRS) could improve neck protection for child occupants. Additionally, the side impact test indicated complete protection for child passengers.
David Ward, Executive President of the Towards Zero Foundation said, “The new Dzire’s five-star rating establishes a significant safety standard for Maruti Suzuki, surpassing the previous version of this model and other Maruti vehicles we have evaluated. Global NCAP warmly welcomes this landmark voluntary test outcome. We are hopeful that Maruti will continue to pursue this high level of safety performance throughout their model range. Should they succeed, it will be a transformative moment for vehicle safety among Indian consumers.”
Comparative Analysis: Old vs. New Dzire
The earlier generation Dzire, evaluated under a previous Global NCAP program, received a two-star rating for both adult and child occupant protection. The model was equipped with just two frontal airbags and standard ESC. Structural assessments revealed an unstable body and footwell area, while side impact tests showed poor chest protection for adults. Moreover, the old Dzire did not have side head protection, making it ineligible for the pole test. The lack of three-point seat belts in all positions and the child dummy’s contact with the interior compromised child protection, leading to lower ratings.
A Step Forward for Maruti Suzuki and Consumer Safety
The launch of the 2024 Dzire marks a crucial milestone for Maruti Suzuki, emphasizing its dedication to advanced safety protocols and enhanced vehicle safety features. This notable progress indicates the company’s move towards prioritizing consumer safety and meeting international automotive safety norms. With the current Dzire model retiring this year, Maruti Suzuki’s steps towards bolstering safety in its lineup represent an encouraging trend for both the Indian automobile sector and its customers.