Global NCAP has released the latest crash test results for the India-spec Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, awarding it a 1-star rating for adult occupant protection and a 3-star rating for child occupant protection. The tested model came with two airbags, ESC, ISOFIX child-seat mounts and seatbelt reminders as standard. Despite this basic safety kit, the sedan’s overall score reflects the limitations of its older platform. The assessment applies to the version that was on sale in India before discontinuation and highlights how safety expectations have evolved faster than the Ciaz itself.
Adult Occupant Protection: Mixed Results Across Tests
In adult occupant protection, the Ciaz scored 20.86 points out of a possible 34. In the frontal offset deformable barrier test, it managed 7.36 out of 16 points. The test rated protection for the driver’s head and neck as good, while it marked chest protection as marginal and knees as marginal due to potential contact with structures behind the dashboard. Protection for the driver’s feet was rated poor, which weighed heavily on the final score. For the front passenger, protection ranged from good to adequate. In the side movable deformable barrier test, the sedan scored 12.49 out of 16 points, although chest protection for the driver was rated weak. Global NCAP did not conduct a side pole impact test due to the absence of curtain airbags. Both the bodyshell and footwell area were rated as unstable and not capable of withstanding further load.
Child Occupant Protection: Strong Dynamic Score, Structural Gaps
For child occupant protection, the Ciaz scored 28.57 points out of 49, translating into a 3-star rating. The sedan performed well in dynamic tests, achieving a full 24 out of 24 points. Both the 18-month-old and 3-year-old child dummies received good protection in frontal and side impact tests. However, the overall score dropped due to weaknesses elsewhere. The Ciaz scored only 4.57 out of 12 for child restraint system installation and 0 out of 13 in vehicle assessment. Key issues included the lack of three-point seatbelts for all seating positions, failure of the child seat installation in the rear centre position, and the absence of a switch to disable the front passenger airbag when using a rearward-facing child seat.
Conclusion
The Global NCAP result places the Ciaz well behind its midsize sedan rivals in terms of safety performance. Models such as the Hyundai Verna, Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus have achieved 5-star ratings for both adult and child occupant protection under Global NCAP’s current protocol. With the Ciaz now discontinued and no immediate replacement planned, the test result serves as a reminder of how far safety standards in the segment have progressed.
