Suzuki, a brand synonymous with hatchbacks and affordability, recently launched the 4th Generation Swift, a model celebrated in India and other global markets. While the India-specific version has yet to undergo crash testing, the Euro-spec variant of the 4th Gen Swift has secured a respectable 3-star rating from the Euro NCAP.
However, a surprising development unfolded with the Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). The ANCAP crash-tested the ADAS-equipped 4th Gen Swift tailored for Australia and New Zealand, awarding it a disappointing 1-star safety rating. This result highlights significant differences between the safety specifications of the Australian model and its European counterpart.
Why the Low Score?
The Australian NCAP recently released crash safety results for the ADAS-equipped 4th Gen Swift. While expectations were high, given its similarity to the European model, Suzuki clarified that the Australian and European versions differ in safety specifications. This prompted ANCAP to conduct additional tests specifically on the Australian model.
According to ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg, these differences in physical specifications necessitated thorough retesting. The results revealed notable concerns, as the Australian-spec Swift fell short of achieving a minimum of 50% across all safety assessments, which would have earned it at least a 2-star rating.
Adult Occupant Protection: 47% (18.88/40 points)
Child Occupant Protection: 59% (29.24/49 points)
Vulnerable Road User Protection: 76% (48.40/63 points)
Safety Assist: 54% (9.78/18 points)
These results pale in comparison to the Euro-spec Swift, which scored significantly better:
Adult Occupant Protection: 67%
Child Occupant Protection: 65%
Vulnerable Road User Protection: 76%
Safety Assist: 62%
ANCAP CEO Raises Concerns
Carla Hoorweg expressed concerns about the discrepancies between regional models, emphasizing that an average buyer may not be aware of the differing safety credentials between models that appear identical in design and branding. Typically, cars in the Australasian market do not undergo separate crash testing if they share similar safety specifications with their European counterparts.
However, the Australian Swift's underperformance highlights the need for region-specific assessments.
What About the India-Spec Swift?
The situation becomes more intriguing when considering the India-specific 4th Gen Swift. Its sedan sibling, the Maruti Suzuki Dzire, recently secured an impressive 5-star safety rating from Global NCAP. This has led to speculation that the India-spec Swift might achieve similar results when crash-tested.
For now, questions remain about how the India-spec 4th Gen Swift will perform in safety assessments. With its growing popularity and the recent accolades received by the Dzire, the Indian market eagerly awaits crash test results to determine whether the hatchback meets global safety expectations.
In conclusion, while the 4th Gen Swift enjoys widespread acclaim, regional safety variations raise questions about its reliability in certain markets. Buyers are encouraged to scrutinize safety specifications before making their decisions.
Also Read: