Maruti Suzuki’s best-seller struggles in Aussie, NZ crash test

One-star rating reflects the Fronx’s overall crash performance - particularly the performance of its structure and restraint systems

A safety crash test by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) conducted on the Fronx, made by Maruti Suzuki India, saw the mini sports utility vehicle get just a one-star rating.

The Suzuki Fronx was introduced in New Zealand in June 2025 and Australia in August 2025.

During the test, the Fronx suffered a seat belt failure, which as per ANCAP is ‘rare and serious’. The organisation has notified both the Australian and New Zealand government vehicle safety regulators.

“It is ANCAP’s view that adult and child passengers should not travel in the rear seats of the Suzuki Fronx until the reason for the failure has been determined and relevant rectifications have been carried out,” ANCAP added.

The one-star rating reflects the Fronx’s overall crash performance - particularly the performance of its structure and restraint systems, the report said. Approximately 1,300 Fronx vehicles have already been sold in Australia, with a further 1,000 sold in New Zealand.

A mail sent to Maruti Suzuki India remained unanswered at the time of publishing this article. While ANCAP said that that the ratings report for the Fronx were published in December, it does not mention the date of the test.

Launched in 2023, the Fronx is one of Maruti Suzuki India’s highest-selling models in the domestic market.  The model has seen sales of more than 160,000 units between January and November 2025, clocking an average of 14,500 units a month or 10% of the company’s volumes.

The version of the Fronx that is sold in India, has not undergone such tests by either Global NCAP or the BNCAP (Bharat New Car Assessment Programme), which are rating-based safety assessment of Indian cars.

In a separate announcement, Global NCAP conducted safety crash test on the Celerio and the Ciaz under the Safer Cars for India programme. Fitted with six airbags, the Celerio (a hatchback) performed slightly better at three stars for adult occupant protection than its previous test when it scored two stars.

The Ciaz performed poorly in the test with just one-star for an adult occupant. The test noted that the sedan offered no side head protection. Its footwell and bodyshell were rated as unstable.

Richard Woods, Chief Executive Officer of Global NCAP, said, “We are encouraged that Maruti Suzuki is committed to improving safety with five-star performance for new models like the Dzire and Victoris, it remains disappointing however that some legacy models fall short.”