The latest Global NCAP crash test results (December 2025) present a mixed picture for Maruti Suzuki, India’s largest car manufacturer. While the updated Celerio shows measurable improvement thanks to added safety equipment, the ageing Ciaz continues to underperform — highlighting the growing gap between Maruti’s newer updates and its older platforms.
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Maruti Suzuki Celerio: Safety Improves with 6 Airbags
The Maruti Celerio has recorded a 3-star Adult Occupant Protection rating, an improvement over its earlier 2-star score. This progress comes mainly from Maruti Suzuki’s decision to standardise six airbags across its lineup.
Adult Occupant Protection – 3 Stars
What Worked Well
- Standard 6 airbags
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- Front seatbelt reminders
- Head and neck protection for both driver and passenger rated Good to Adequate
Where It Still Falls Short
- Bodyshell and footwell rated unstable, indicating limited crash-load resistance
- Driver chest protection rated Weak
- Knee protection rated Marginal, due to contact with rigid dashboard structures
While the added airbags help, the underlying structure continues to limit the car’s overall safety potential.
Child Occupant Protection: Major Concern for Celerio
Despite its adult score improvement, the Celerio scored only 1 star for Child Occupant Protection.
Key Observations
- Frontal Impact:
- 3-year-old dummy showed poor neck and chest protection
- 18-month-old rear-facing seat showed head exposure and weak chest protection
- Side Impact:
- Younger child was well protected
- Older child seat failed to fully contain head movement
This indicates that while adult safety has improved, child safety remains a weak point.
Maruti Suzuki Ciaz: Safety Rating Remains a Concern
In contrast to the Celerio’s progress, the Maruti Ciaz scored just 1 star, making it one of the weakest performers in Maruti’s current portfolio.
Key Safety Shortcomings
- Unstable bodyshell and footwell
- No curtain airbags in the tested variant
- Lack of three-point seatbelts for all seating positions
- Outdated platform lacking modern crash protection architecture
Compared to newer rivals in the midsize sedan segment, the Ciaz’s safety performance is clearly behind current expectations.
Global NCAP’s Key Message to Maruti Suzuki
Global NCAP acknowledged Maruti Suzuki’s move to standardise six airbags, pointing to recent 5-star performers like the Dzire and Victoris as proof of what the brand is capable of.
However, the organisation stressed a critical point:
“Airbags alone cannot compensate for weak vehicle structure.”
To achieve consistent high safety ratings, Maruti must upgrade the structural integrity of its entry-level and ageing platforms, not just add restraint systems.
Maruti Suzuki Safety Ratings Snapshot (2025)
| Model | Global NCAP Rating |
|---|---|
| Dzire | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Victoris | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Celerio | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ciaz | ⭐ |
| WagonR | ⭐ (previous test) |
The Bigger Picture
The latest results clearly show two sides of Maruti Suzuki:
- Newer or heavily updated models can achieve 5-star safety
- Older platforms struggle despite added airbags
As safety awareness among Indian buyers grows, Maruti’s future success will depend on platform upgrades, not just feature additions.
So, what do you think — is adding airbags enough, or should structural safety become Maruti Suzuki’s next big focus? Share your views in the comments below!
