The new Suzuki Swift received negative feedback for its safety assistance systems and insufficient protection for adult and child occupants in specific areas.
The Suzuki Swift of the fourth generation has been subjected to the most recent crash tests by Euro NCAP, receiving a 3-star rating. The organization for safety awarded the hatchback 67 percent for adult occupant protection (AOP), 65 percent for child occupant protection (COP), 62 percent for safety assist systems, and 76 percent for vulnerable road users (VRU).
The Maruti Swift available in India is manufactured locally, while the European version is produced at Suzuki’s facility in Sagara, Japan. Therefore, the safety rating from Euro NCAP does not directly apply to the Indian variant. The European model includes features such as six airbags, ISOFIX anchors, seat belt reminders, and advanced driver assistance systems like autonomous emergency braking, lane change assist, and driver fatigue detection.
The European version of the Swift, manufactured in Japan, is equipped with 6 airbags, ADAS, and additional safety features. However, the protection for the adult dummy’s chest was found to be less adequate in the majority of tests. Similarly, the protection for children’s neck and chest was deemed weak or less effective in most tests.
Suzuki Swift Adult Occupancy Protection- 67%
Euro NCAP observed that the cabin maintained its stability during the frontal offset test, providing satisfactory protection for the knees and femurs of the driver and front passenger. Nevertheless, the protection for the driver’s chest was deemed inadequate, while that of the passenger was considered to be at a minimum level. The hatchback received a score of 10.5 out of 16 points in frontal impact tests, 11.5 out of 16 points in lateral impact tests, and a perfect score of 4 out of 4 points in the rear impact tests.
Suzuki Swift Child Occupancy Protection- 65%
The Swift received a score of 14.1/24 points for overall protection of 6-year-old and 10-year-old children. It also scored 6/13 points for safety features and a perfect 12/12 for children restraint systems. During the frontal offset and side barrier tests, the protection for the neck and chest area was rated as poor to weak, but head protection was deemed adequate.
Suzuki Swift safety systems- 62%
The safety ratings organization assessed the effectiveness of the Swift’s autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system as satisfactory. Nevertheless, its reaction to an oncoming car was considered subpar. Despite having seat belt reminders for both front and rear seats, the Swift lacked an occupant detection system in the rear seats, a feature Euro NCAP deems essential for achieving a high score.
Suzuki Swift Vulnerable Road Users- 76%
The Swift performed admirably in safeguarding at-risk road users, encompassing pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. Euro NCAP determined that the AEB system adequately addressed pedestrian safety, and performed well in ensuring cyclist safety. Nevertheless, it was observed that the vehicle does not provide any protection against ‘dooring’, a situation where a car door unexpectedly opens in the path of a cyclist approaching from the rear.
