New Suzuki Swift scores 3 stars in Euro NCAP's tests

The fourth-gen Suzuki Swift has gone through Euro NCAP’s latest round of crash tests, where it has scored a 3-star rating. The safety organisation awarded the hatchback 67 percent in adult occupant protection (AOP), 65 percent for child occupancy (COP), 62 percent for safety assist systems and 76 percent for vulnerable road users (VRU).

1. Swift for Europe made in Japan; gets 6 airbags, ADAS, and more
2. Protection for adult dummy’s chest proved less adequate in most tests
3. Protection for children’s neck and chest deemed weak or less in most tests

Unlike the made-in-India Maruti Swift that's on sale here, the model sold in Europe is made at Suzuki’s plant in Sagara, Japan. So, the Euro NCAP result has very little bearing on the India-spec model. In Europe, the hatchback comes equipped with six airbags, ISOFIX anchors, seat belt reminders, and ADAS tech like autonomous emergency braking, lane change assist, and driver fatigue detection.

Suzuki Swift adult occupancy protection: 67 percent

Euro NCAP noted that the compartment remained stable in the frontal offset test, and offered good protection for the knees and femurs of the driver and front passenger. However, protection for the driver’s chest was weak and that of the passenger was marginal. The hatchback was awarded 10.5/16 points in frontal impact tests, 11.5/16 points in lateral impact tests, and 4/4 points in the rear impact tests.

Suzuki Swift child occupancy protection: 65 percent

In terms of protection for 6-year-old and 10-year-old children, the Swift was awarded 14.1/24 points, 6/13 points for safety features, and 12/12 for children restraint systems. In the frontal offset and side barrier tests, protection for the neck and chest area was poor to weak, while head protection was shown to be adequate.

Suzuki Swift safety systems, VRU: 62 percent, 76 percent

The safety ratings organisation deemed the performance of the Swift’s autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system to be adequate. However, its response to approaching a car head-on was rated as poor. In addition, while there are seat belt reminders for the front and rear seats, the Swift had no occupant detection system in the rear seats, which Euro NCAP says is a prerequisite for scoring.

Finally, the Swift scored well in terms of protecting vulnerable road users, from pedestrians and cyclists to two-wheeler riders. Euro NCAP found the AEB system’s response to pedestrians was adequate, while its response to cyclists was good. However, it was noted that the car offers no protection against ‘dooring’, which is when a car door opens suddenly in the path of a cyclist approaching from behind.