South Africa-spec Suzuki S-Presso scores 3 stars in Global NCAP crash tests

Share

Tweet

Share

Share

Email

Comments

Bodyshell integrity: unstable; footwell area: unstable

That’s right, Global NCAP has crash-tested South African-spec Suzuki S-Presso, in which the “mini SUV” secured a 3-star rating in the adult occupant category and a 2-star rating in the child occupant category. Just to compare, the India-spec S-Presso which was crash-tested in November 2020, had scored 0 in the adult occupant category. And just so you know, Suzuki’s India subsidiary Maruti Suzuki produces the car for the South African market as well.

The tested model was equipped with two front airbags, front seat belt reminders, front seat belt pretensioners, and 4-channel ABS. No Isofix mounts. The India-spec model, even today, comes with only a driver airbag as standard, and if you want a front passenger airbag as well, you gotta purchase the range-topping VXi+ trim.

Adult Occupant
In the adult occupant category, the report said that the protection offered to the driver’s and passenger’s head and neck was good. The driver’s chest showed weak protection and the passenger’s chest showed adequate protection. Driver’s knees showed marginal protection as they could impact with dangerous structures behind the dashboard supported by the transfascia tube. Passenger’s knees showed good protection. The driver’s left tibia and the passenger’s both tibias showed adequate protection and the driver’s right tibia showed marginal protection. However, both the bodyshell integrity and footwell area were rated as unstable and not capable of withstanding further loadings. While the car offers standard SBR for the driver and front passenger, the report says it does not meet the Global NCAP standards.

Child Occupant
As for the child occupant category, the report said that the manufacturer refused to recommend CRSs for the test. The child seat for a 3-year-old was installed FWF using the adult seatbelt and it was not able to prevent excessive head excursion during the impact, offering poor protection to the head and weak to the chest. The child seat for a 1.5-year-old was installed RWF using the adult seatbelt and offered good protection to the head and poor to the chest. Download the full report here.