Swift is one of the most loved hatchbacks in India. But popularity is not synonymous with safety. Suzuki Swift got a zero-star safety rating. Check out why.
Latin NCAP performed crash tests on the Renault Duster's second generation and the Suzuki Swift marketed in Brazil. Both models received a zero-star rating from Latin NCAP. What adds interest to this story is the fact that the Suzuki Swift tested by Latin NCAP is an Indian-built car.
Suzuki Swift is manufactured at Suzuki's Gujarat manufacturing plant. It is equipped with two airbags. The hatchback got safety scores of 15.53 percent in the Adult Occupant category, 0% in the Child Occupant category, 66.07 percent in the Pedestrian and Vulnerable Road User category, and 6.98 percent in the Safety Assist category. Moreover, the report said the result is true for both Suzuki Dzire's hatchback and sedan versions.
Check out the video of Latin NCAP Suzuki Swift Safety Test here:
Made in India #Suzuki #Swift scores 0 stars at Latin #NCAP. Structure rated unstable. #SafetyFirst #MarutiSuzuki pic.twitter.com/Tpyyd90GuS
— AutoNews (@AN_AutoNews) August 28, 2021
Because of insufficient side impact protection, an open door during the test, and poor whiplash scoring due to the absence of UN32 certification for the rear impact test, the hatchback failed the test. According to LATIN NCAP, the hatchback lacks basic side head protection airbags and standard electronic stability control. Suzuki has also said that CRS is not suitable for the test.
According to the watchdog, Suzuki Swift would fail to comply with Regulation UN95 due to its door opening. Six airbags and electronic stability control (ESC) are standard on the European-spec Swift, whereas the Latin American-spec Swift has side body and head airbags but not ESC. Despite the well-known high injury risk connected with its usage, the Swift in Latin America comes standard with a lap belt in the rear center seating position.
"It is disappointing and distressing to witness such poor safety results provided to Latin American consumers by Renault and Suzuki," said Alejandro Furas, Secretary-General of Latin NCAP. Latin NCAP urges Renault and Suzuki to significantly enhance the standard safety of these models in the near future. Customers in Latin America must pay an additional cost to get the same level of safety features that Renault/Dacia and Suzuki provide as standard in countries such as Europe.
In certain instances, these features are not available in Latin America and the Caribbean at all. In developed countries, basic car safety is a right. These safety measures act as vaccination against one of the world's most severe pandemics, which resulted in road traffic injuries and deaths. Consumers have the right to obtain the same vaccine provided anywhere without incurring additional costs.
Suzuki Swift's latest generation was launched in 2018. Global NCAP India tested the car and awarded it two stars for adult occupant safety. According to the GNCAP, Swift's body shell is unstable and could not handle any extra load.
