For the length of time Maruti WagonR has been on the streets, a safety rating was long overdue. That day is finally here. Global NCAP has awarded Maruti Suzuki WagonR 2 stars for adult occupant protection. The same is awarded for child occupant protection. Maruti WagonR features a driver frontal airbag as standard.
Along with Maruti WagonR, safety rating of Maruti Ertiga, Datsun Redi-Go, and Hyundai Santro has also been revealed today by Global NCAP. All these cars are made in India and sold in India.
The small car’s structure is rated as unstable, as it’s not capable of withstanding further loadings. Footwell area is unstable. Pedal displacement showed risk to lower legs of the driver. Head protection for adult occupants is good. Driver neck protection is good, and adequate for passenger. Chest protection is weak for both front passengers and results in limiting the SBR points achieved by this model.
Driver and front passenger knees showed marginal protection as they can impact with dangerous structures behind the dashboard supported by the tranfascia tube. Child occupant protection is poor for a forward facing 3-year old dummy with adult seatbelt. Excessive forward movement was not prevented during impact and the head contacted the front seat. Child Restraint System (CRS) broke during impact.
18-month old CRS was installed with adult seatbelt rearward facing with good protection for the head, and vulnerable for the chest. CRS marking was not permanent. It did not show incompatibility.
Maruti WagonR features two standard SBR in the front seats (driver and front passenger) but points were not considered for the final rating since front passenger chest has weak protection. The vehicle doesn’t offer 3 point belts for all occupants, and no ISOFIX anchorages.
To sum up, Maruti WagonR has ABS (4 channel) and driver frontal airbag, and SBR. It misses out on front passenger frontal airbag, driver knee airbag, side head and side body airbags, and there’s no ISIFIX anchorages. The tested vehicle is a MY19 Maruti Suzuki RHD WagorR. Crash test weight was 1013 kgs.
Keeping in mind it’s unstable bodyshell integrity, it’s no surprise the maximum points awarded for Adult safety was 6.93 upon 17, and 16.33 upon 49 or child safety.
2019 Maruti WagonR is now longer by 60mm at 3,655mm, wider by 145mm at 1,620mm but shorter by 25mm at 1,675mm. Wheelbase is also extended by 35mm to 2,435mm contributing to more interior space. It also gets updated exterior elements with a new grille, re-designed headlamps, new front bumper and fog lamps. The platform itself allows for better absorption of impact and offers better stability. It uses 40 percent high tensile steel resulting in better rigidity and safety and lower NVH levels.
Its in-cabin comforts include a revised equipment level, touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SmartPlay Studio from Maruti offers smartphone connectivity, cloud based services and vehicle information. The brown and beige colored interiors get fabric upholstery while rear seats are in a 60:40 split.