Suzuki Swift Australasian NCAP Safety Rating Is Out And It's Disappointing

Quick Highlights

• International-spec Suzuki Swift scores a one-star rating in the ANCAP crash test.

• It scored 47% in Adult Occupant Protection and 59% in Child Occupant Protection.

• The Vulnerable Road User Protection score stands at 76%, while the Safety Assist score is 54%.

• It comes equipped with 6 airbags and ADAS features like lane keep assist, autonomous braking and more.

• Powering this Australian-spec Swift is an 82 PS 1.2-litre three-cylinder naturally aspirated mild-hybrid petrol engine with a 5-MT or a CVT.

• Prices for the Maruti Swift in India range from Rs 6.49 lakh to Rs 9.6 lakh (ex-showroom).

The Suzuki Swift, a popular hatchback, has undergone stringent safety evaluations by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). Launched in New Zealand in May 2024 and Australia in June 2024, the Swift offers modern safety features including the ADAS suite which is not there in the India-spec model. That said, this safety result doesn’t apply to the Indian hatchback which when tested might result whole differently. Also, the model tested wasn’t manufactured in India. 

The Swift’s poor safety rating in the ANCAP crash test showcases both strengths and areas requiring improvement. Let's take a look at the result in detail below:

Adult Occupant Protection

Frontal Offset Score: 2.56 out of 8

Side Impact Score: 5.51 out of 6

The Swift scored 47% (18.88/40) in Adult Occupant Protection. In the frontal offset test at 50 kmph, the passenger compartment remained stable. However, the driver's chest protection was weak, with marginal ratings for upper and lower leg protection due to dashboard structures and pedal movement. Head and neck protection for both front occupants was rated good, while chest protection for the front passenger was adequate.

In the full-width frontal test, chest protection for the driver was adequate, but poor for the rear passenger, with no points awarded. Side impact tests at 60 kmph showed adequate chest protection and good protection for other body areas. The oblique pole test scored maximum points with good protection across all regions. The lack of a center airbag resulted in no far-side impact assessment.

Child Occupant Protection

Front Dynamic Test: 5.47 out of 16

Side Dynamic Test: 5.54 out of 8

Child Restraint System: 11.22 out of 12

The Swift scored 59% (29.24/49) in this category. Frontal crash tests showed poor head protection for the 6-year-old dummy and weak neck protection for the 10-year-old dummy. Chest protection ranged from good to marginal. Side impact tests provided good protection for all critical areas. The car is equipped with ISOFIX and top tether anchors, making it compatible with most child restraints. However, it is noteworthy that a child presence detection system is absent. 

Vulnerable Road User Protection

Head Protection: 12.63 out of 18

Pelvis Protection: 4.5 out of 4.5

Femur Protection: 3.53 out of 4.5

Knee and Tibia Protection: 9 out of 9

The Swift achieved a 76% score (48.40/63) in this category. Pedestrian impact tests showed good to adequate head protection across most of the bonnet, with poor results near the windscreen base and pillars. Pelvis protection scored maximum points, and lower leg protection was rated good. The car's AEB system performed well in forward tests for detecting pedestrians and cyclists, avoiding collisions effectively. However, the system does not function in reverse. 

Swift: Safety Features and Powertrain

The international-spec Swift comes equipped with six airbags as standard, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors with camera and electronic stability control (ESC). 

Both the Indian and international variants of the Suzuki Swift are powered by an 82 PS, 1.2-litre three-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine. However, the Australian spec features mild-hybrid technology, which enhances torque delivery and improves fuel efficiency. Both versions offer a 5-speed manual transmission, but the India-spec Swift is equipped with a 5-speed AMT, while the Australian model gets a more refined CVT automatic.

The Australian-spec Swift may have performed poorly in the test, but it found some relief thanks to the presence of ADAS systems, which made a noticeable difference. Unfortunately, the Swift sold in India misses out on these features.

Maruti Suzuki Swift: Price and Rivals

In Australia, the 2024 Suzuki Swift is priced between AUD 24,490 and AUD 29,490 (approximately Rs 13.5 lakh to Rs 16.25 lakh, on-road). In India, the new-generation Swift is available at a price ranging from Rs 6.49 lakh to Rs 9.6 lakh (ex-showroom). Its key rivals on our shores include the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios and, as a hatchback alternative, the Nissan Magnite, Tata Punch and Renault Triber.