Maruti Suzuki Celerio Earns 3-Star Global NCAP Safety Rating — Full Details

The Maruti Suzuki Celerio has once again come under the safety scanner after securing a three-star adult occupant safety rating in the latest Global NCAP crash test results. These updated results specifically evaluate the six-airbag version of the made-in-India hatchback, offering prospective buyers a clearer understanding of how the popular small car performs in real-world crash scenarios.

With safety increasingly influencing car-buying decisions in India, Global NCAP ratings now play a crucial role alongside mileage, pricing, and features.

What Global NCAP Ratings Mean for Buyers

Why Crash Test Ratings Matter

Global NCAP serves as an independent vehicle safety assessment programme, crash-testing cars under controlled conditions to evaluate how well they protect adult and child occupants during accidents.

• Higher star ratings indicate better protection

• Results help buyers look beyond fuel efficiency and design

• Safety has become a major talking point in the Indian car market

Adult Occupant Protection: Mixed Performance

Frontal Offset Crash Test Results

In the frontal offset crash test, the Maruti Suzuki Celerio showed:

• Adequate to good protection for the head and neck of both the driver and front passenger

• This is considered a positive outcome for a small hatchback

However, the test also highlighted some weak areas:

• Driver chest protection was rated weak

• Knee protection for both front occupants was marked marginal, indicating potential injury risk in serious collisions

Structural Integrity Concerns

Unstable Bodyshell and Footwell Area

One of the key concerns raised by Global NCAP was the unstable bodyshell and footwell area.

• The vehicle structure was not capable of withstanding additional impact loads

• This structural limitation directly affected the overall safety score

In simple terms, while airbags provide some protection, the car’s core structure still needs strengthening.

Side Impact Test Performance

Standard Side Impact Test

In side impact testing, the Celerio delivered:

• Marginal protection for the head and chest

• Adequate protection for the abdomen

• Better performance in pelvis protection

Side Pole Impact Test

During the more severe side pole impact test:

• Head and pelvis protection improved to good

• Chest and abdomen protection remained marginal

This indicates that while the six airbags contribute positively, overall crash protection is still constrained by structural factors.

Child Occupant Protection: Area of Concern

Frontal Crash Test Results for Child Occupants

Child occupant protection was where the Celerio struggled the most.

• In frontal crash tests, child restraint systems failed to fully prevent head contact for both:

  • 18-month-old dummy

  • Three-year-old dummy

• Neck and chest protection for both dummies was rated poor

Side Impact Performance for Child Occupants

• The restraint system for the younger child performed better

• The system used for the three-year-old failed to fully control head movement

As a result, child occupant protection scored significantly lower than adult protection, an important consideration for families.

Six Airbags vs Two Airbags: Clear Difference

Safety Improvement with Additional Airbags

It is important to note that:

• The six-airbag version achieved a three-star rating

• The two-airbag version managed only a two-star rating under the same Global NCAP programme

This clearly demonstrates that additional airbags improve safety outcomes, even though structural limitations remain.

What This Means for Buyers

The Maruti Suzuki Celerio remains popular due to:

• Affordable pricing

• Ease of driving

• Strong fuel efficiency

However, the latest Global NCAP results suggest that while safety has improved with six airbags, buyers should weigh structural safety limitations carefully, especially if child safety is a priority.