India's car safety standards took a major leap as the Maruti Suzuki Baleno became the first hatchback evaluated under the Bharat New Car Assessment Program (BNCAP). This premium car earned a remarkable 4 stars for Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) and 3 stars for Child Occupant Protection (COP). It sets an example to improve safety in this category.
Variants Tested: From Basic to Top-End
The Baleno underwent safety tests across its four variants—Sigma Delta, Zeta, and Alpha. The safety scores varied a bit depending on the equipment levels in each variant.
Zeta and Alpha, equipped with six airbags, achieved 26.52/32 (AOP) and 34.81/49 (COP).
Sigma and Delta, featuring two airbags, got a score of 24.04/32 (AOP). However, their COP score stayed the same at 34.81.
The lack of side and curtain airbags in the lower models explains these differences in scores.
Key Safety Features on Offer
The Baleno provides many safety features such as:
Six airbags available on higher trims.
ABS with EBD and Electronic Stability Program (ESP).
A 360-degree camera along with ISOFIX mounts for child seats.
Hill-hold assist and three-point seat belts for every passenger.
It also meets AIS-100 pedestrian protection standards and follows ESC safety rules to boost its safety rating.
Crash Test Results in Detail
In front and side crash tests, the Zeta and Alpha trims provided ‘Good’ protection for the head and neck. However, for chest, pelvis, and feet, protection levels ranged between ‘Adequate’ and ‘Marginal’.
Child safety scores were consistent across all variants. These variants achieved 16.81/24 in dynamic testing and earned a full 12/12 for installing child restraint systems.
How It Stacks Up Against Competitors
Global NCAP has not tested the current version of the Baleno yet. However, its competitors, the Tata Altroz and Hyundai i20, have achieved 5 stars and 3 stars in Global NCAP safety tests.
The new Bharat NCAP rating of the Baleno shows a big step up from the earlier model, which received a zero-star rating in Latin NCAP tests.
This 4-star result in Bharat NCAP helps Maruti Suzuki improve how people see safety in its hatchbacks. It boosts safety reputation for one of their most popular car segments.
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