The made-in-India Suzuki Baleno was recently crash-tested by Latin NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme) where it scored a ZERO safety rating. For those who aren't aware, the Latin NCAP conducts safety tests for Latin America and the Caribbean region. Suzuki Swift also scored zero in the same test a few months back.
The crash-tested model was having dual front airbags and front seat belts pretensioner & load limiter as standard. It scored 20 percent for adult occupant safety, 17 percent for child protection, 64 percent for pedestrian safety, and only 7 percent for safety assist features in the crash test.
During the frontal impact test, the bodyshell integrity as well as the footwell area were rated stable and were capable of withstanding further loadings. While the head & neck protection of the driver and the front passenger was said to be good, their chest showed adequate protection. Meanwhile, knee protection for the driver and one side of the co-passenger was rated marginal. Nevertheless, driver tibias showed adequate protection, and passenger’s tibias conferred good protection.
During the side impact test, the head and pelvis protection was good and abdomen protection was adequate, but the chest protection was quite poor. Furthermore, due to the lack of standard side head protection airbags, ESC (electronic stability control), and no Child Restraint Systems (CRS), the side pole impact test wasn't performed. All of these had led to the zero-safety rating.
