Maruti Suzuki Celerio Crash Test Report – Global NCAP Detailed Analysis
The popular Maruti Suzuki Celerio has recently undergone crash tests conducted by Global NCAP, and the results reveal dramatic differences in safety performance depending on the number of airbags fitted in the tested vehicle. The tests covered both two-airbag (2AB) and six-airbag (6AB) variants of the made-in-India Celerio, offering crucial insights for buyers on occupant protection and child safety.
In this comprehensive report of Maruti Suzuki Celerio Crash Test, we break down the star ratings, crash results, protection levels, and real-world implications of the Global NCAP findings.
Overview — What Global NCAP Tested
Global NCAP conducted frontal offset, side movable barrier, and side pole impact tests on the Celerio under its latest safety protocols. The agency evaluated:
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Adult Occupant Protection (AOP)
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Child Occupant Protection (COP)
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Side Impact & Pole Impact Performance
Importantly, two variants were assessed: one equipped with two airbags and one with six airbags as standard.
⭐ Safety Ratings at a Glance
| Variant | Adult Occupant Protection | Child Occupant Protection |
|---|---|---|
| 2-Airbag Model (2AB) | ⭐⭐ (2 stars) | ⭐ (1 star) |
| 6-Airbag Model (6AB) | ⭐⭐⭐ (3 stars) | ⭐⭐ (2 stars) |
Maruti Suzuki Celerio Crash Test
These results show a clear safety advantage for the six-airbag model over the two-airbag version.
🚗 Six Airbags Variant — Stronger Protection
Adult Occupant Protection (3⭐)
The six-airbag Celerio scored 18.04 out of 34 points for adult occupant protection, resulting in a three-star rating. In the frontal offset crash test, head and neck protection ranged from good to adequate for driver and passenger, but chest protection was weak for the driver and adequate for the front passenger. Side impact protection showed marginal to adequate results for chest and abdomen, while head and pelvis protection was better in pole test scenarios.
Child Occupant Protection (2⭐)
For child safety, the six-airbag model scored 18.57 out of 49 points, earning two stars. While rearward-facing child seats provided better side impact protection, some forward-facing restraint tests showed head exposure and poor neck and chest protection. Nonetheless, the inclusion of ISOFIX, three-point belts, and child seat compatibility helped the car edge ahead of the two-airbag variant.
Key takeaway: The extra airbags and improved restraint systems significantly raise protection levels, especially in side and pole impact scenarios.
Two Airbags Variant — A Wake-Up Call
The version of the Celerio fitted with just two airbags scored much lower:
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Adult Occupant Protection: 2 stars
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Child Occupant Protection: 1 star
The lower rating is largely due to the absence of side and curtain airbags and reduced capability in protecting occupants during side and oblique impacts. Chest and torso protection performed weaker, and child safety performance was especially poor with minimal points scored in the crash tests.
🧠 Why Safety Scores Differ Between Variants
The primary reasons for the differences between the two variants include:
1. Airbag Count & Distribution
More airbags — especially side chest and curtain airbags — help manage occupant displacement and reduce injury in side impacts. The six-airbag Celerio demonstrated better side protection and pole impact performance.
2. Structural Strength and Footwell Integrity
Global NCAP noted that while the Celerio’s body structure can protect occupants to a degree, weaknesses remain in structural stability and footwell strength, affecting overall crashworthiness.
3. Child Seat Compatibility
Child seat testing showed limitations in both variants, but the six-airbag model’s better restraint and anchorage systems helped it score significantly more points in child protection categories.
What the Ratings Mean for Buyers
For Everyday Drivers
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The six-airbag model is substantially safer than the two-airbag variant.
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A three-star adult rating provides reasonable protection in frontal impacts but is not class-leading.
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Chest and knee protection deficiencies highlight the need for better structural improvements.
For Families with Children
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The two-star child protection rating of the six-airbag model is moderate, but not exceptional.
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Prospective buyers should always use child safety seats with ISOFIX and follow proper installation guidelines.
For Safety-Conscious Buyers
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While improved over older versions, the Celerio still lags behind some global rivals with four- or five-star crash test ratings.
Detailed Crash Performance Summary
Six Airbag (6AB) Version
✔ 18.04/34 points — Adult protection
✔ 18.57/49 points — Child protection
✔ Frontal performance saw adequate head & neck protection
✔ Side test results showed good head & pelvis but weaker chest protection
✔ Overall bodyshell showed limitations for higher stars
Two Airbag (2AB) Version
✔ Lower adult occupant protection and minimal child protection points
✔ Lack of side airbags reduced performance in side impact tests
✔ Lower stars reflect higher risk in real-world crashes
Side Impact & Other Tests
The pole impact test — which evaluates protection in a sideways impact with a narrow object — was only performed on the six-airbag variant, and helped improve its score. The two-airbag model did not qualify due to absence of required airbags for side head protection.
Structural Safety Observations
Global NCAP’s report highlighted that while the Celerio’s safety cage manages to protect critical areas such as the head and neck reasonably well, the footwell and lower body regions remain weaker — a factor that suppresses higher star ratings.
Final Verdict — Safety Prospects for Celerio
The Maruti Suzuki Celerio Crash Test results are a mixed bag:
✔ The 6-airbag model shows noticeably better occupant safety and child protection compared to the 2-airbag variant.
✔ Even the improved version, though, only manages a 3-star adult and 2-star child protection rating, which suggests moderate protection but room for improvement.
✔ Buyers should prioritise higher-airbag variants and consider child seat practices seriously.
FAQs — Maruti Suzuki Celerio Crash Test
1. What star rating did the six-airbag Celerio get at Global NCAP?
The six-airbag Celerio scored 3 stars for adult protection and 2 stars for child protection.
2. How did the two-airbag Celerio perform?
The two-airbag version achieved 2 stars for adults and 1 star for child protection, highlighting significant safety gaps.
3. Why is the six-airbag model safer?
The extra airbags — especially side and curtain airbags — provide better protection in side impacts and pole tests, improving scores markedly.
4. Should I buy the Celerio based on these tests?
If safety is a priority, opting for the six-airbag variant is strongly recommended over the two-airbag model, especially if carrying child passengers.
5. Are these results relevant to India?
Yes — the Celerio tested is the Made-in-India model, and results reflect performance under Global NCAP’s more stringent protocols.
Source: Maruti Suzuki Celerio Crash Test
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