Maruti Suzuki Ciaz Global NCAP Safety Rating: The Maruti Suzuki Ciaz has received a 1-star Global NCAP safety rating for Adult Occupant Protection and a 3-star rating for Child Occupant Protection, placing it at the lower end of safety performance among midsize sedans tested under the latest protocols. While the Ciaz has already been discontinued from the Indian market, the results remain important due to the large number of cars still in use and the model’s continued presence in the used-car market.
Maruti Suzuki Ciaz Global NCAP Safety Rating – Test Overview
The crash tests were conducted on the India-spec Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, manufactured locally and sold in the Indian market.
Overall Scores
- Adult Occupant Protection (AOP):
- 1 star
- 20.86 points out of 34
- Child Occupant Protection (COP):
- 3 stars
- 28.57 points out of 49
- Tested vehicle weight: Approx. 1,260 kg
Adult Occupant Protection: Where the Ciaz Fell Short
The low adult safety rating is mainly due to structural instability and weak protection in critical areas.
Frontal Offset Crash Test Findings
- Driver and passenger head and neck protection rated good
- Driver chest protection rated marginal
- Passenger chest protection rated adequate
- Driver knee protection showed higher risk due to possible contact with dashboard structures
- Footwell area showed significant deformation
Side Impact Test Results
- Head and pelvis protection rated good
- Abdomen protection rated adequate
- Chest protection rated weak, a key concern
Structural Assessment
- Bodyshell rated unstable
- Footwell area rated unstable
- Structure deemed incapable of withstanding higher crash loads
Missing Tests
- Side pole impact test not conducted
- Reason: Absence of curtain airbags or side head protection
These limitations collectively restricted the Ciaz to a 1-star adult safety rating, despite decent performance in some areas.
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Child Occupant Protection: Better, But Not Perfect
The Ciaz performed noticeably better in child safety tests, though several shortcomings prevented a higher rating.
Positive Highlights
- Dynamic score: 24/24
- Rear-facing ISOFIX-mounted child seats:
- Full protection for 18-month-old dummy
- Full protection for 3-year-old dummy
- No head contact recorded in frontal or side impacts
Areas of Concern
- Child restraint installation score: 4.57/12
- Vehicle assessment score: 0/13
- No three-point seatbelts for all seating positions
- Rear centre seat failed child restraint installation test
- No front passenger airbag cut-off switch for rear-facing child seats
These issues reduced the overall child protection score, despite strong crash performance with properly installed ISOFIX seats.
Standard Safety Features on the Maruti Ciaz
While the crash structure proved to be a weakness, the Ciaz does include several basic safety features as standard.
Included Safety Equipment
- 2 front airbags
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC) (meets Global NCAP benchmarks)
- ISOFIX child seat mounts
- Front seatbelt reminders
- Pretensioners for front seatbelts
Missing or Limited Features
- No side airbags
- No curtain airbags
- No advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS)
- No Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
- No lane assist or collision warning systems
In today’s market, these omissions are increasingly noticeable, especially in comparison to newer rivals.
How the Ciaz Compares to Rivals
The Global NCAP rating places the Ciaz well behind its competitors in the midsize sedan segment.
Rival Safety Ratings
- Hyundai Verna: 5 stars (AOP & COP)
- Skoda Slavia: 5 stars
- Volkswagen Virtus: 5 stars
These models benefit from stronger bodyshells, additional airbags, and more modern safety engineering, giving buyers safer alternatives.
What This Means for Owners and Used-Car Buyers
Although discontinued, the Ciaz remains common on Indian roads and in the pre-owned market.
Key Takeaways
- Adequate basic safety, but limited crash protection
- Structural instability raises concerns in high-impact crashes
- Child safety is acceptable only with correct ISOFIX usage
- Not ideal for buyers prioritising top-tier safety standards
Existing owners should ensure proper seatbelt usage and correct child seat installation, while used-car buyers should weigh safety carefully against price and space advantages.
Final Thoughts
The Maruti Suzuki Ciaz Global NCAP rating reflects an ageing design that struggles to meet modern crash safety expectations. While it offers decent occupant protection in certain scenarios and performs reasonably well for child safety with ISOFIX seats, the unstable bodyshell and weak chest protection significantly limit its safety credentials. In a segment where rivals now offer five-star ratings, the Ciaz’s results underline why safety-conscious buyers may want to look elsewhere.
