2024 Maruti Baleno gets 4-star Bharat NCAP safety rating, tested in two variants

4-Star Safety Rating: The 2024 Maruti Suzuki Baleno has achieved a 4-star safety rating in the Bharat NCAP crash tests. The hatchback scored 24.04 out of 32 points for adult occupant protection and 34.81 out of 49 for child occupant safety in its base configuration. This makes the Baleno the first premium hatchback tested by Bharat NCAP since the programme’s rollout.

Two Configurations Tested: Bharat NCAP tested the Baleno in two versions – one with 2 airbags (Sigma, Delta) and the other with 6 airbags (Zeta, Alpha). The 6-airbag trims performed better in side impact tests, scoring 26.52 points in adult protection compared to 24.04 in the base trims. Both variants scored identically in child protection, highlighting that side airbags had little impact on child safety scores.

Side Impact Results: In the side movable deformable barrier test, the 6-airbag variants scored 14.99 out of 16, versus 12.50 for the 2-airbag trims. Chest protection for the driver was rated marginal across both versions, but head and neck protection remained good. The side pole impact test further showed good results, especially in the higher variants equipped with curtain and thorax airbags.

Child Safety Scores: Child occupant protection scores were consistent across all Baleno variants. The car scored 16.81 out of 24 in the dynamic tests, 12 out of 12 in CRS installation, and 6 out of 13 in vehicle assessment. ISOFIX anchorages were standard on all trims. For both 18-month and 3-year-old dummies, the Baleno provided strong side impact safety.

Safety Features Offered: Safety equipment included seatbelt pretensioners with load limiters, ISOFIX mounts, ESC, and seatbelt reminders for all passengers. The Zeta and Alpha trims added curtain and thorax airbags. All variants complied with pedestrian protection regulations. Maruti has announced plans to equip all its models with six airbags going forward, in line with Bharat NCAP recommendations.

Variants and Pricing: The Baleno is available in four variants – Sigma, Delta, Zeta, and Alpha. It is powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine, with manual and AMT gearboxes offered on all but the base Sigma trim. Prices range from ₹6.70 lakh to ₹9.92 lakh (ex-showroom). The Delta and Zeta variants also offer a factory-fitted CNG option for better fuel economy.