Maruti Suzuki Fronx Scores Just One Star in ANCAP Crash Test, Raising Safety Concerns

The India-made Maruti Suzuki Fronx, a popular crossover SUV sold across more than 80 countries, has received a disappointing one-star safety rating in the latest crash tests conducted by the Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). The result has raised serious concerns about the vehicle’s occupant safety, particularly for rear-seat passengers.

The Fronx is currently sold in Australia and New Zealand under the Suzuki brand. Despite its strong global sales and modern design, the model performed poorly in key safety parameters during ANCAP testing.

Poor Performance Across Key Safety Categories

According to ANCAP’s official report, the Fronx scored:

• 48% in Adult Occupant Protection
• 40% in Child Occupant Protection
• 65% in Vulnerable Road User Protection
• 55% in Safety Assist Systems

Based on these results, the vehicle was awarded an overall one-star safety rating, which is considered well below acceptable safety benchmarks in developed markets.

Rear Seat Belt Failure Proves Critical

The primary reason for the low rating was a rear seat belt failure during the frontal crash test. ANCAP noted that the rear passenger seat belt retractor failed, causing the belt to unlatch during impact. As a result, the rear-seat crash test dummy suffered serious chest and head injuries after striking the front seat.

ANCAP described such seat belt failures as “rare but extremely dangerous” and emphasized that the consequences in real-world crashes could be severe.

Advisory Issued for Australia and New Zealand

Following the test results, ANCAP has notified vehicle safety regulators in Australia and New Zealand and issued an advisory urging customers to avoid using rear seat belts in the Fronx until the issue is fully investigated and rectified. This advisory underscores the seriousness of the findings.

Contrast With Other Global Ratings

Interestingly, the Fronx has received much higher safety ratings in other regions. The vehicle earned:

• 4 stars from Japan NCAP
• 5 stars from ASEAN NCAP

The sharp contrast highlights differences in testing protocols and safety standards across regions, but the ANCAP result has nonetheless dented the vehicle’s safety credentials.

India Pricing and Market Presence

In the Indian market, the Maruti Suzuki Fronx is priced between ₹6.85 lakh and ₹11.98 lakh (ex-showroom) and remains a strong seller due to its styling, features, and fuel efficiency. However, the latest ANCAP rating is expected to intensify discussions around vehicle safety standards in export and domestic models.