Bharat NCAP has recently tested two Maruti Siblings – Maruti Dzire and Maruti Baleno. The Maruti Dzire scored a full 5-star rating, but that is not new news, as it has already received a full 5-star rating in the Global NCAP safety test. The fact that the Maruti Baleno scored an impressive 4-star safety rating for adult protection and 3-star for child protection is creating ripples on the internet. The Baleno is the best-selling premium hatchback in India, and scoring a 4-star Bharat NCAP safety rating will do a world of good to its sales figures.
Maruti Suzuki Baleno: Adult Occupant Protection
24.04 out of 32 in AOP (Low variant with two front airbags)
26.52 out of 32 in AOP (High variant with six airbags)
In the frontal offset deformable barrier test, the hatchback provided good protection to the front passenger’s head and driver’s head, while safety for the driver’s chest and thighs was reported to be weak. The protection offered to the front passenger’s chest and thighs has been reported to be adequate. In the side movable deformable barrier test, the protection offered to the driver’s head and abdomen was reported adequate (good in the high variant), to the chest region was reported weak (adequate in the high variant), and to the pelvis was reported good. In the side pole impact test, the protection offered to the head, chest, abdomen, and pelvis was reported as good.
Maruti Suzuki Baleno: Child Occupant Protection
34.81 out of 49 in COP (both low and high variants)
The Maruti Baleno scored 16.81 out of 24 points in the dynamic test, 12 out of 12 points in Child restraint system (CRS) installation, and 6 out of 13 points in Vehicle assessment. The dummies of both 18-month-old and 3-year-old babies were tested in rearward-facing child seats positioned in the front passenger seat, secured by ISOFIX anchorages and a support leg.
New Maruti Baleno vs Old Maruti Baleno: Safety ratings
Earlier, the Maruti Baleno was tested by the Global NCAP, wherein it scored a 0-star rating. The reasons were reported to be the poor side impact protection, low whiplash score due to the lack of UN32 proof for rear impact test, lack of standard side head protection airbags, lack of standard ESC, (now it is standard), and the fact that Suzuki did not recommend Child Restraint Systems (CRS) for the test. Clearly, Maruti Suzuki has rectified the issues and improved the structural strength of the Baleno.
Maruti Suzuki Baleno: Platform and Safety Features
The Maruti Baleno is based on Maruti’s HEARTECT Platform, which also underpins many other Maruti cars such as the Wagon R, Swift, Dzire, Ertiga, Ignis, and others. While some Maruti cars offer six airbags as standard, the Maruti Baleno is not one of them. The Baleo offers dual airbags in most of its variants, and the amenity of six airbags is offered on the top two variants: Zeta and Alpha. Other safety features that the Baleno offers as standard are ABS with EBD, ESP with hill hold assist, rear parking sensors, and ISOFIX child anchorages. The higher variants offer a 360-degree camera.
Maruti Suzuki Baleno Safety Rating vs Rivals’
Of all the Maruti Baleno rivals, the Hyundai i20 has a 3-star Global NCAP safety rating, and while the latest Tata Altroz has not been tested by an NCAP yet, it is certain to score a full 5-star rating.
