[ron178]

The European New Car Assessment Programme has released its latest safety ratings, with the 2024 Suzuki Swift and Dacia Duster III scoring three stars and the Skoda Kodiaq, Superb, VW Passat B9 and Mercedes E-Class (W214) scoring 5.













Euro NCAP says:

Dacia’s ‘no-frills’ sales strategy is well-known, the brand having previously shunned active safety technology in favour of affordability. Suzuki has long been a manufacturer of small, simple, and affordable cars. It then becomes no surprise that the Duster and the Swift emerge from Euro NCAP’s tests with no more than three stars. However, legislation now insists that all cars must be equipped with autonomous emergency braking, emergency lane-keeping systems, intelligent speed limiters, and driver fatigue detection. The Duster and the Swift fulfil this obligation but do little more, despite having the technologies fitted. For active safety, Euro NCAP’s standards for 5-star ratings are considerably higher than those of legislation. These cars’ occupant protection also shows limited ambitions, with similar, modest levels of adult occupant protection. For child occupant protection, Dacia’s Romanian-manufactured small SUV outperforms the tiny Swift, the latter providing protection that ranges from marginal to poor in some aspects of its performance.

The E-Class sails close to the wind in terms of pedestrian protection: with only a fraction of a point for pedestrian pelvis protection, it is uncomfortably close to losing a star against Euro NCAP’s latest protocols.

Euro NCAP secretary general Dr Michiel van Ratingen commented saying:

This latest release reveals a growing split between the safety ambitions of different car brands. The difference in star ratings is partly due to the segments in which the cars compete, but Euro NCAP also believes it is a matter of a brand’s priorities. Some, like Mercedes-Benz, Škoda, VW, BMW, and Renault, are convinced of their customers’ commitment to safety and its higher worth in the product offering. For Dacia and Suzuki, the emphasis is on affordability, but consumers should be in no doubt that there are competitor vehicles to the Duster and the Swift available on the market, which offer considerably higher levels of safety. This is something you cannot put a price on.

Full ratings for all cars are on Euro NCAP’s website.

[Pixeldynamic]

How much similar is the Euro spec 4th Generation Swift and the Indian spec besides the active safety tech?

[theabstractmind]

If the European model scored 3 star, one can imagine what the Indian model would. I know it's speculative, but not without a reason. Some manufacturers are known to dilute the build for Indian market. In the end, it doesn't even matter.

[Bhodrolok]

LOL! This is the Euro spec model but also on the Euro NCAP which is stricter, I would guess a 3 star for the India spec model in the watered down BNCAP too.

[aveoman19]

Let us assume that the Swift sold in India score 3 Stars in Global NCAP (Safer cars for India) or BNCAP. Even then, this would only make it the safest "swift" ever sold in India and that isn't saying much in terms of safety is it? Let me refrain from patting Maruti's back for taking the step in the right direction as I believe it is too little too late.

[Illuminati]

Again a sad news for us customers from the leader.

The Euro version is 3 star then I do not expect Indianised version ("Kitna deti hai") more that 2 star even as a best case scenario.

[Contrapunto]

Originally Posted by theabstractmind

If the European model scored 3 star, one can imagine what the Indian model would. I know it's speculative, but not without a reason. Some manufacturers are known to dilute the build for Indian market. In the end, it doesn't even matter.

You are correct of course, the Indian one is likely to be worse. But I would submit it has as much to do with us the customers as it has to do with the manufacturers. Its a tested fact that Indian customers vote with their wallet for "chrome", in car entertainment, speakers than they do for safety features that they can't touch and feel. Till that changes, or till govt tightens the "minimum mandated safety" bar- nothing will change.

[SaiSW]

This is the Euro spec one. Judging from previous gens, poverty spec for our market would be weaker.

So basically, another generation of tincans.

First gen swift looks so enticing compared to these cardboard models. I should have got one when I had the chance to get a single owner (elderly Army man) G13 Swift in mint condition. There wasn't even a single dent in the bodywork, no repainting as well. DAMN!!!

[fastestindian]

3 star crash rating..beautiful! now all it needs is a lifeless unexciting engine and a panaromic sunroof and it'll have everything Indian buyers expect from their cars in 2024

/s