Made in India Maruti Ertiga for Africa scores 1 star in Global NCAP crash test
Maruti Ertiga with the revised Global NCAP norms has scored 1 star for Adult Occupant Protection and 2 stars for Child Occupant Protection in the latest crash test results. The specific model was made in India for the African market.
The vehicle is equipped with two frontal airbags as standard and features ISOFIX anchorages. While there are aspects of the Ertiga’s safety performance that are commendable, several areas raise concerns, especially regarding structural integrity and child occupant protection.
The Maruti Ertiga’s structure was rated as borderline unstable during testing, with the footwell area specifically highlighted as unstable. This instability, combined with pedal displacement, suggests a potential risk of injury to the lower legs of the driver. However, head and neck protection for adult occupants was rated as good, with chest protection for the passenger also deemed good. The driver’s chest, however, received only marginal protection, indicating a variance in safety performance across different body regions.
In terms of side impact protection, the Ertiga demonstrated good protection for the head, pelvis and abdomen, though chest protection was rated as adequate. It’s important to note that the Ertiga does not offer side airbags, even as an optional feature, which could be a drawback in side-impact collisions.
Child occupant protection emerged as a significant area of concern in the assessment. The vehicle’s Child Restraint System (CRS) was installed in a forward-facing position for the 18-month-old dummy, contrary to best practices that recommend a rearward-facing position for this age group to enhance safety. The passenger pretensioner failed to function properly, further compromising child safety.
The Ertiga offers only a lap belt in the rear centre position, a factor that contributed to a notable loss of points in child occupant protection. Additionally, the passenger airbag cannot be deactivated, which poses a risk if a rearward-facing CRS is installed in the front seat. Despite these issues, the side impact protection for child occupants was rated as good, providing some reassurance for side collision scenarios.
