Maruti Suzuki Ciaz scores 1 star in Global NCAP crash test

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz scores one star in adult occupant protection and three stars in child occupant protection during crash tests by Global NCAP.

The crash test results for the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz are out. The sedan scored just one star in adult occupant protection and three stars in child occupant protection. This result comes as a bit of a surprise because the manufacturer has already discontinued the Ciaz. However, there is still some unsold stock with the dealers.

Maruti Suzuki has now discontinued the Ciaz. But there is a possibility that few of the dealerships still have some stock of the sedan left.

Adult Occupant Protection

During the frontal crash test, the Ciaz managed to keep the head and neck of the driver and passenger well protected. The situation changes when you look at the chest area. The driver’s chest readings landed on the lower end of the spectrum, while the passenger fared slightly better. The knees also showed a split result. The driver’s side had a higher risk of hitting stiff components behind the dashboard, whereas the passenger side showed a better outcome.

The report also reveals that the footwell area deformed more than ideal, and the main structure was labelled unstable. In simple terms, this suggests the cabin may not hold up well if the impact becomes more intense. In the side impact evaluation, the head and pelvis were shielded reasonably well. The abdomen saw a moderate level of protection, and the chest faced greater vulnerability.

Child Occupant Protection

The results of the Child Occupant Protection were better when compared to the Adult Occupant Protection. When child seats were mounted rear-facing using ISOFIX along with a support leg, both infant and three-year old dummies were kept safe from head contact during the frontal test. Side impact protection remained strong, too.

The Ciaz lost ground in other child safety criteria. It does not provide a three-point belt in every seating position, and the lack of an airbag deactivation switch limits safe placement for a rear-facing child seat in the front passenger spot. The rear centre seat also failed to accommodate the recommended CRS setup.

Safety Features and Technology

Basic equipment such as front airbags, pretensioners and seat belt reminders comes standard. Electronic Stability Control is also included and passed the required benchmarks in testing. It is worth noting that side head airbags and certain advanced systems are missing. The sedan does not offer features like autonomous emergency braking or lane assist, which are becoming more common in newer vehicles.

Structure and Stability

One of the main weak points is the unstable bodyshell. When a structure earns that label, it means the cabin may not withstand higher levels of force. The unstable footwell region adds to that concern, since intrusion in that area can lead to leg and ankle injuries.