GaadiWaadi –
Maruti Suzuki Celerio managed a three-star rating for adult occupant protection helped largely by the introduction of six airbags as standard
Maruti Suzuki’s latest Global NCAP results indicate both progress and persistent shortcomings with the Celerio showing measurable improvement while other models continue to raise safety concerns. In the December 2025 assessment, the hatchback managed a three-star rating for adult occupant protection – helped largely by the introduction of six airbags as standard equipment.
It leads to an improvement over the earlier two-airbag version of the Celerio which had previously secured only two stars for adult safety and a single star for child occupant protection. The earlier outcome had drawn criticism and led Maruti Suzuki to publicly commit to upgrading safety equipment in its newer vehicles.
Despite the improved adult rating, the test results reveal that structural integrity remains a weak point. Both the bodyshell and footwell area were rated as unstable – indicating limited capacity to absorb higher crash loads. Protection levels across different body regions also varied widely – ranging from good to marginal depending on the impact scenario.
In frontal crash testing, head protection was rated adequate for the driver and good for the front passenger while neck protection for both occupants was assessed as good. Chest protection showed mixed results with weak protection recorded for the driver and adequate protection for the passenger. Knee protection for both occupants was judged marginal due to potential contact with rigid structures behind the dashboard while lower leg protection ranged from adequate to good.
Side impact performance showed further variation. The head and chest offered marginal protection, the abdomen was rated adequate and the pelvis performed well. In the side pole impact test, protection for the head and pelvis was good – though chest and abdomen protection again fell into the marginal category. Electronic Stability Control, fitted as standard, met Global NCAP’s latest performance benchmarks and seatbelt reminders for the front seats were also compliant – both contributing factors to the three-star adult rating.
Child occupant protection, however, remains an area of concern. During frontal impact tests, the forward-facing child seat used for the three-year-old occupant failed to adequately control head movement – resulting in poor neck and chest protection. The rearward-facing restraint for the 18-month-old also showed head exposure with chest protection rated poor.
In side impact testing, while the younger child’s restraint system provided full protection, the seat used for the older child could not sufficiently contain the head. The front passenger airbag cannot be deactivated when using a rearward-facing child restraint and while child seat installation is approved for all rear seats, exceptions apply to the front passenger and rear centre positions.
Global NCAP welcomed Maruti Suzuki’s move to standardise six airbags – particularly in light of the full five-star performances achieved by newer models such as the Dzire and Victoris. However, the organisation stressed that restraint upgrades alone cannot compensate for weaknesses in vehicle structure or child safety provisions.
Meanwhile, the continued one-star rating for the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz was described as deeply disappointing. The sedan was criticised for lacking side head protection featuring an unstable bodyshell and footwell and failing to offer three-point seatbelts in all seating positions – all of which severely undermine occupant protection.
The post Maruti Suzuki Celerio Improves In GNCAP Tests While Ciaz Gets One Star appeared first on Gaadiwaadi.com – Latest Car & Bike News by Surendhar M.