The latest generation Suzuki Swift has undergone rigorous safety assessments by the Euro NCAP, resulting in a somewhat disappointing 3-star rating. While the global variant of the Swift, equipped with advanced safety features, achieved a 4-star rating in Japan NCAP tests, the Euro NCAP results highlight the importance of safety equipment in protecting occupants.
The Euro NCAP evaluates vehicles across four key areas: adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, vulnerable road user safety, and safety assist systems.
Adult Occupant Protection: The Swift demonstrated good head protection for both driver and passenger but scored poorly in chest protection. Knee and femur protection was rated as good.
Child Occupant Protection: The Swift received a poor rating for neck protection of a 10-year-old dummy and weak ratings for chest and head protection.
Vulnerable Road User Protection: The Swift performed relatively well in this category, with good ratings for cyclist protection and adequate protection for pedestrians and motorcyclists.
Safety Assist: Thanks to its advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), the global Swift variant achieved a reasonable score. However, it's important to note that the Indian market Swift lacks these crucial safety features.
A significant difference between the Euro NCAP tested Swift and the Indian market model lies in the absence of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in the latter. Features like autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane assist, which contributed to the global model's better performance, are currently unavailable to Indian buyers.
While the Indian Swift comes equipped with six airbags, electronic stability program, hill hold assist, and ISOFIX child seat anchorages, the lack of ADAS is a notable safety omission. It is hoped that the upcoming Bharat NCAP crash tests will provide more insights into the safety performance of the Indian market Swift.
Overall, the Euro NCAP results underscore the importance of comprehensive safety features in modern vehicles. As consumers become increasingly aware of safety standards, it is crucial for automakers to prioritize safety equipment across all markets.
The Suzuki Swift's recent Euro NCAP crash test results highlight a significant disparity in safety standards between global and Indian market models. While the global variant, equipped with advanced safety features, achieved a 4-star rating, the Indian model's lack of ADAS contributed to a lower 3-star rating.
This outcome underscores the importance of comprehensive safety features in modern vehicles and emphasizes the need for automakers to prioritize safety across all markets. As consumer awareness of safety standards grows, it is crucial for manufacturers to equip their vehicles with advanced safety technologies to protect occupants in the event of a collision.
The Indian automotive industry must strive to match global safety benchmarks to ensure the well-being of its consumers.