Suzuki Swift Shocker: Popular Car’s One-Star Safety Rating Sparks Debate
The Suzuki Swift, a beloved vehicle among drivers of all ages, has hit a speed bump on its road to success—a dismal one-star ANCAP safety rating in Australia has tarnished its reputation. The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) revealed safety shortfalls in the locally sold Swift models, starkly contrasting their European counterparts, which received a more respectable three-star rating .
The poor result appears to stem from structural differences between Swifts sold in Australia and those in Europe, particularly in components such as the radiator’s structural absorption bars and wheel arches, which directly impact crash performance . Carla Hoorweg, ANCAP’s chief executive, explained that these variances led ANCAP to conduct additional crash tests on the Australian variant, uncovering serious concerns about chest protection for occupants during collisions .
Despite these findings, Suzuki Swift models in ANZ still offer a suite of modern safety technologies, including autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane keep assist (LKA), emergency lane keep (ELK), blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. However, absent features like driver monitoring systems and rear occupant detection have hindered its ability to secure higher safety ratings .
This situation highlights the broader challenges small, budget-friendly cars face in achieving high ANCAP ratings under increasingly stringent testing standards. For example, the Swift’s rival, the MG 3, also scored just three stars. Meanwhile, older five-star ratings for vehicles like the Toyota Yaris, VW Polo, and Audi A1 may no longer meet current benchmarks if re-tested today .
While Japan’s independent safety authority, JNCAP, awarded the Suzuki Swift a four-star rating, ANCAP’s more rigorous and localized tests indicate the need for adjustments in models marketed in Australia and New Zealand. As Hoorweg noted, “The design of some of the structural elements and restraints in locally-sold Swift vehicles appear to lack robustness,” further underscoring the disparate standards between regions .
The story of the Suzuki Swift serves as a cautionary tale for car buyers and manufacturers alike, emphasising the importance of localized testing and design conformity for safety across markets. Despite this setback, the Swift remains a popular choice for budget-conscious drivers, but Suzuki may need to rethink its approach to thrive in competitive and safety-conscious markets like New Zealand and Australia.
