In the latest round of crash tests under its #SaferCarsForIndia campaign, Global NCAP tested four cars sold in our market, and the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R was part of the list. The brand-new Wagon R – which was launched at the start of 2019 and is one of the highest-selling models in India – has received a lowly two-star rating in the Global NCAP crash test.
As per its testing process, Global NCAP chose the base, 1.0-litre LXi version of the Wagon R for the crash test – one that only gets a driver's airbag as standard. In terms of points, the Wagon R scored 6.93 points out of 17 for adult occupant protection, and 16.33 points out of 49 for child occupant protection.
In its findings, Global NCAP states the Wagon R has an ‘unstable’ structure that is ‘not capable of withstanding further loadings’. While protection for the driver and front passenger is rated ‘good’, protection for the chest area of both is rated ‘weak’, and protection for the legs is rated ‘marginal’, with the report noting that ‘pedal displacement showed some risk to the lower legs of the driver.’
The low score for child occupant protection is attributed to the fact that the child restraint system broke on impact, resulting in the 3-year-old child dummy’s head hitting the front seat. And while head protection for the 18-month-old child dummy is rated ‘good’, protection for its chest is rated ‘vulnerable’ despite the child restraint system being installed rearward-facing. The report also notes the fact that the Wagon R does not offer a three-point seatbelt for the middle-seat passenger and does not have Isofix anchorages either.
Regulations in India currently only mandate the fitment of a driver-side airbag, which is why the Wagon R – and a number of other entry-level hatchbacks – presently get a single airbag on the entry-level variant.
This, however, is set to change soon, with a Supreme Court panel directing the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to ensure the passenger-side airbag is made mandatory as well.
It’s worth noting that the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R 1.0 LXi that Global NCAP tested is priced at Rs 4.34 lakh, and for an extra Rs 7,000, buyers can get the 1.0 LXi (O), which comes with a passenger-side airbag.
Additionally, the Wagon R meets Indian crash-test standards, which subject cars to a front offset crash at a lower speed of 56kph, as compared to the Global NCAP crash test, which is conducted at a speed of 64kph.
Global NCAP has also published crash test reports for the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, Hyundai Santro and Datsun Redigo.
Rivan RS 
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Uday Singh
Suraj Viswanathan
