Just two days before the Global NCAP planned to update its assessment protocols to include side impact and pedestrian protection requirements as well as mandating Electronic Stability Control (ESC) as standard, the updated S-Presso managed to get itself tested under the older, less stringent protocols.

The result is a three-star rated star for Adult Occupancy Protection (AOP). It retained its two-star rating for Child Occupancy Protection (COP).

The model tested is the South African spec S-Presso which comes fitted with two airbags as standard. This spec is similar to the one sold in the Philippines.

The Global NCAP, however, did mention that the S-Presso barely eked out the three-star performance.

During its assessment, the S-Presso still demonstrated an unstable body structure when crashed into the test barrier at 64 km/h. The agency notes: “the body shell and footwell area are not capable of withstanding further loadings.”

Moreover, driver’s knees showed marginal protection as they can impact with dangerous structures behind the dashboard, particularly the supporting trans-fascia tube.

“The safety performance of the S-Presso in South Africa has been far from satisfactory and claims of improvement are not reflected in levels of child occupant protection which remain the same as the Indian version we tested in 2020. There has been significant progress with vehicle safety in the Indian market with a welcome requirement for the fitment of six airbags as standard. We hope that Maruti Suzuki will not apply a double standard for the vehicles they sell elsewhere compared to those sold in India,” said Alejandro Furas, Secretary General of Global NCAP.