The tested WagonR units had two front airbags, seatbelt pretensioner, seatbelt loadlimiter and seatbelt reminder, among others, as standard.
By India Today Auto DeskIndia’s largest-selling car for two years in a row, the Maruti Suzuki WagonR, has performed so poorly at the updated Global NCAP crash tests that you will be absolutely shocked to hear the results.
The WagonR was the largest-selling car in India in FY22 at 188,838 units. It was once again at the top in FY23, clocking volumes of 212,340.
In the latest crash tests, the Maruti Suzuki WagonR scored one star (out of five) in the adult occupant protection category and zero (out of five) in the child occupant protection category.
The tested WagonR units had two front airbags, seatbelt pretensioner, seatbelt loadlimiter and seatbelt reminder, among others, as standard.
Global NCAP’s updated crash test protocols include assessments of frontal and side impact protection for all tested models as well as electronic stability control (ESC) and pedestrian protection. Side impact pole protection assessments are also required for vehicles scoring the highest star ratings.
According to Global NCAP, the WagonR offered weak chest protection for the driver despite the improvements in the restraint systems by Maruti Suzuki since the previous version of the model was tested.
It said that Maruti Suzuki declined to nominate a child restraint system (CRS) for child passengers.
The lack of three-point belts in all seating positions and the lack of standard airbag disabling for a rear-facing CRS in the front seating position explains the zero score for child protection, it added.
The Maruti Suzuki WagonR price in India starts at Rs 5.51 lakh and goes up to Rs 7.42 lakh (ex-showroom).
Johnnie King
Kole Prosacco
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