As per the latest test results declared by BNCAP, Maruti Baleno (with 2 air bags) has achieved overall 4 star rating in the safety crash test. The specific test results are:
- Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) – 4 star. Score is 24.04/32.
- Child Occupant Protection (COP) – 3 star. Score is 34.81/49.
NCAP stands for New Car Assessment Programme.
The overall 4-star badge indicates strong crashworthiness and presence of safety systems like airbags, ABS/EBD, and ESC—essential prerequisites for this rating.
🧪 Safety Equipment
| Driver | Passenger | Rear | |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRONTAL CRASH PROTECTION | |||
| Frontal airbag | YES – STANDARD | YES – STANDARD | NOT APPLICABLE |
| Belt pretensioner | YES – STANDARD | YES – STANDARD | NOT AVAILABLE |
| Belt Load-limiter | YES – STANDARD | YES – STANDARD | NOT AVAILABLE |
| Knee airbag | NOT AVAILABLE | NOT AVAILABLE | NOT APPLICABLE |
| SIDE CRASH PROTECTION | |||
| Side head curtain airbag | NO – OPTIONAL | NO – OPTIONAL | NO – OPTIONAL |
| Side head (thorax head) airbag | NOT AVAILABLE | NOT AVAILABLE | NOT AVAILABLE |
| Side chest airbag | NO – OPTIONAL | NO – OPTIONAL | NOT AVAILABLE |
| Side pelvis airbag | NO – OPTIONAL | NO – OPTIONAL | NOT AVAILABLE |
| CHILD PROTECTION | |||
| ISOFIX | NOT APPLICABLE | NOT AVAILABLE | YES – OUTBOARD SEATS |
| Integrated CRS | NOT APPLICABLE | NOT AVAILABLE | NOT AVAILABLE |
| Airbag Cut-off switch | NOT APPLICABLE | NOT AVAILABLE | NOT APPLICABLE |
| SAFETY ASSIST TECHNOLOGIES | |||
| ESC (UN GTR No.8/UNECE R140 AIS-133) | YES – STANDARD | ||
| Pedestrian protection (AIS-100) | YES – STANDARD | ||
| Seat Belt Reminder (SBR) (AIS-145) | YES – STANDARD | YES – STANDARD | YES – STANDARD |

✅ What’s Next and How It Compares
- Baleno vs Dzire: Baleno scores one star lower than the newer Dzire sedan, which achieved full 5-star AOP/COP.
- What Baleno Offers: Features like dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, ESC, ISOFIX mounts, and seatbelt reminders form the backbone of its respectable rating.
🧭 What Baleno Owners Should Know
- Solid Safety for the Segment: A 4-star rating makes Baleno a safer option among premium hatchbacks.
- Room for Improvement: Slight safety enhancements (more airbags, reinforced structure) could push it to 5 stars.
- Approaching the Top Tier: The Dzire’s 5-star result shows Maruti Suzuki is inching toward greater standard safety across its lineup.
📌 Final Take
The Baleno’s 4-star Bharat NCAP rating highlights its commitment to safety, making it one of the safer choices in the premium hatchback segment. It’s well-equipped for everyday family and urban needs, though lacks the top-tier protection seen in the Dzire. With incremental upgrades, Baleno could easily join the 5-star club in future updates.
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Safe Driving!






















