Global NCAP has released the crash test results for the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, a car which has been discontinued from the Indian market since a few months now. It has scored a 1-star rating for Adult Occupant Protection and a 3-star rating for Child Occupant Protection. The tested model is Made in India and the results are applicable to the Indian market.
The Ciaz scored 20.86 points out of a maximum 34 for adult occupant protection and 28.57 points out of 49 for child occupant protection. The vehicle was tested in 2025 at a crash test weight of 1,260 kg, as per the official assessment.
Adult Occupant Protection: Bodyshell Rated Unstable
In the frontal offset deformable barrier test, Global NCAP noted good protection for the head and neck of both the driver and front passenger. However, protection for the driver’s chest was rated marginal, while the passenger’s chest showed adequate protection. The driver’s knees showed marginal protection due to possible contact with hard structures behind the dashboard, whereas the passenger’s knees were better protected.
A key concern highlighted in the report is that the bodyshell and footwell area were rated unstable, indicating that the structure is not capable of withstanding further loadings. This played a major role in limiting the Ciaz to a 1-star adult safety rating. In the side impact test, protection for the head and pelvis was rated good, abdomen protection was adequate, but chest protection was weak. The side pole impact test was not conducted, as the car does not offer side head protection even as an optional feature.
Safety Equipment: ESC Standard, But No Side Airbags
Global NCAP confirmed that Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is fitted as standard and met the organisation’s performance requirements. Seatbelt reminders are also standard for the front seats. However, the absence of side and curtain airbags, along with the lack of advanced safety assist systems, limited the overall safety score.
Child Occupant Protection: 3-Star Rating
For child occupant protection, the Ciaz performed relatively better, achieving a 3-star rating. In the frontal impact test, both the 18-month-old and 3-year-old child dummies, seated in rearward-facing ISOFIX-mounted child seats, received full protection, with no head contact observed.
Side impact performance for child occupants was also rated as good. However, Global NCAP pointed out shortcomings such as the absence of ISOFIX mounts for the front passenger seat, lack of a passenger airbag cut-off switch, and the failure of child restraint installation in the rear centre seat, which impacted the overall child safety score.
Still Relevant on Indian Roads and Used-Car Market
Although the Ciaz is no longer available in showrooms, it continues to exist in large numbers on Indian roads. The sedan enjoyed strong sales for several years, and thousands of units remain in daily use across the country. In addition, the Ciaz will continue to be bought and sold in the used-car market for many years to come. From this standpoint, assessing its crash safety remains important for current owners as well as second-hand buyers.
