Joseph 
Maruti Suzuki Baleno has been tested at the Bharat NCAP and it scores 4 Stars while its rival Hyundai i20 scored only 3 stars!
The Maruti Suzuki Baleno has secured a 4-star safety rating in the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (BNCAP), with two variants tested — one equipped with 2 airbags and the other with 6 airbags. This result marks a significant achievement for Maruti Suzuki, as it reflects improved structural safety and child occupant protection.
Adult Occupant Protection
Both the 2-airbag and 6-airbag variants of the Baleno were crash-tested under BNCAP protocols. The 2-airbag version scored 24.04 out of 32, while the 6-airbag version scored slightly higher at 26.52 out of 32. In the Frontal Offset Deformable Barrier Test, both variants scored 11.54 out of 16, showing consistent performance in head and chest protection. However, the Side Movable Deformable Barrier Test revealed better performance for the 6-airbag model:
- 2-Airbag Variant: 12.50 / 16
- 6-Airbag Variant: 14.99 / 16
The Side Pole Impact Test was rated as “OK” for both variants, indicating that the structural integrity was maintained without serious intrusion in pole impact conditions.
Color-coded dummy assessments suggest:
- Good protection for head and neck
- Adequate to marginal protection for chest and thighs
- Noticeable improvement in side impact safety in the 6-airbag variant
Child Occupant Protection
In terms of child safety, both variants of the Baleno scored 34.81 out of 49, which includes:
- Dynamic score: 16.81 / 24
- CRS installation score: 12.00 / 12
- Vehicle assessment score: 6.00 / 13
Tests were conducted using the 18-month-old dummy and the 3-year-old dummy. Both dummies were well-contained during testing, with no excessive forward or rotational movement.
- ISOFIX mounts are available only on the 2nd-row outer seats
- i-Size compatibility is present on the same seats, but not available for the front passenger or 2nd-row center
- Integrated CRS (Child Restraint System) is not available
Installation assessments for commonly used child seats were largely rated as PASS, ensuring wide compatibility with market-standard CRS.
Applicable on
The 2-airbags are available with the Sigma and Delta variants while the 6 airbags are available with the Zeta and the Alpha variants. The 4 Star Safety Rating is applicable to all the variants despite it performing little different in the Side Movable Deformable Barrier Test.
Final Thoughts
The Maruti Suzuki Baleno’s 4-star Bharat NCAP rating underlines its progress in safety standards, especially with the 6-airbag variant showcasing better side-impact protection. While both versions scored identically for child occupant safety, the 6-airbag model is clearly the safer choice for adult occupants.
With this result, the Baleno strengthens its position as a safer premium hatchback option in its segment, aligning with evolving customer expectations and regulatory benchmarks in India.
