The Maruti Baleno became the first hatchback to be tested by the Bharat New Car Assessment Program (BNCAP). According to the crash testing agency, the Maruti premium hatchback received three- and four-star ratings in Child Occupant Protection (COP) and Adult Occupant Protection (AOP), respectively.
- Above ratings apply to all four Baleno variants
- Top Baleno Zeta and Alpha trims scored 26.52 in AOP, 34.81 in COP
- Lower-ranked Sigma and Delta received 24.04 in AOP, 34.81 in COP
Maruti Baleno safety features
Up to six airbags, ABS, ESP
BNCAP tested all four variants of the Baleno: Sigma, Delta, Zeta and Alpha (variants ranked from base to top). While the Sigma and Delta come with two airbags, Maruti offers six airbags on the Zeta and Alpha trims. It should be noted that the premium Nexa hatchback is yet to get six airbags as standard.
Other safety equipment available includes ABS and ESP, hill-hold assist, a 360-degree camera, brake assist, three-point seatbelts for all passengers, and ISOFIX seat anchorages. The Baleno also complies with AIS-100 pedestrian protection norms and ESC regulations.
Maruti Baleno Zeta and Alpha BNCAP safety ratings
AOP
As per the report, the top-spec Baleno Zeta and Alpha variants offered ‘Good’ head and neck protection in the frontal offset deformable barrier test. Protection for the chest, pelvis, tibia and feet ranged from ‘Marginal’ to ‘Adequate’ for the driver and front passenger. Save for the ‘Adequate’ chest protection in the side movable deformable barrier test, everything else was rated good. Even the side pole impact test was rated ‘Good’.
COP
Dynamic score 16.81/24
CRS installation score 12/12
Vehicle assessment score 6/13
For 18-month-old and 3-year-old passengers, the front scores were 7.17 (out of 9) and 1.63 (out of 8), respectively. Coming to side protection, it scored 4 for both ages.
| Maruti Baleno Zeta and Alpha trims | ||
|---|---|---|
| Test | Received score | Maximum score |
| Adult Occupant Protection | 26.52 | 32 |
| Child Occupant Protection | 34.81 | 49 |
| Frontal Offset Deformable Barrier | 11.54 | 16 |
| Side Movable Deformable Barrier | 14.99 | 16 |
Maruti Baleno Sigma and Delta BNCAP safety ratings
AOP
Talking about the range-starting Sigma and Delta Baleno models, the frontal offset deformable barrier and side pole impact test results mirror the Zeta and Alpha trims. When it comes to the side movable deformable barrier test, the Sigma and Delta models were deemed ‘Adequate’ in head and neck protection, and ‘Marginal’ in chest safety. This may be attributed to the missing side and curtain airbags in these models.
COP
Dynamic score 16.81/24
CRS installation score 12/12
Vehicle assessment score 6/13
Evidently, the COP scores of the Baleno Sigma and Delta variants are identical to the Zeta and Alpha trims.
| Maruti Baleno Sigma and Delta trims | ||
|---|---|---|
| Test | Received score | Maximum score |
| Adult Occupant Protection | 24.04 | 32 |
| Child Occupant Protection | 34.81 | 49 |
| Frontal Offset Deformable Barrier | 11.54 | 16 |
| Side Movable Deformable Barrier | 12.50 | 16 |
Maruti Baleno BNCAP score vs rivals
As stated above, the Baleno is the maiden hatchback to be tested by the Indian crash testing authority. The made-in-India hatchback's previous-gen model was tested at the Latin NCAP, where it scored a zero-star rating. It should be noted that the norms used by the Latin American safety organisation are different from the ones used by Bharat NCAP. The Baleno has not been tested by Global NCAP yet, where rivals like the Tata Altroz and Hyundai i20 have received 5- and 3-star ratings, respectively.
Rivan RS 
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Suraj Viswanathan
