The Maruti Suzuki Baleno has been a dominant player in India’s premium hatchback segment, offering a blend of style, comfort, and performance at an affordable price. With the 2024 edition of the Baleno, Maruti Suzuki has focused not only on enhancing the driving experience but also on improving safety standards. As road safety becomes a priority for Indian buyers, knowing how the Baleno fares in terms of safety ratings is crucial for potential buyers.
In this article, we’ll dive into the 2024 Baleno safety rating, its safety features, crash test results, and how it compares to competitors in the same segment.
Baleno’s 2024 Global NCAP Safety Rating
The Global NCAP (New Car Assessment Program) is a trusted authority that tests cars for crashworthiness and awards safety ratings. The Baleno has undergone crash tests by Global NCAP in recent years, and the 2024 Maruti Suzuki Baleno continues to be a subject of interest for safety-conscious buyers.
Global NCAP Safety Rating for the 2024 Baleno
In its latest round of tests, the 2024 Maruti Suzuki Baleno was awarded a 3-star safety rating for adult occupant protection and 2 stars for child occupant protection. While this rating shows some improvement over previous models, it still indicates that there is room for enhancement in overall safety performance.
- Adult Occupant Protection: 3 stars (out of 5)
- Child Occupant Protection: 2 stars (out of 5)
The 2024 Baleno’s structure was rated as unstable, which affects its overall performance in crash tests. While the car offers essential safety features such as dual airbags, ABS, and seatbelt pretensioners, its lack of advanced safety technology like side airbags and electronic stability control (ESC) limits its crashworthiness.
| Safety Rating Category | Global NCAP Rating |
| Adult Occupant Protection | 3 stars (out of 5) |
| Child Occupant Protection | 2 stars (out of 5) |
| Structural Integrity | Unstable |
Key Safety Features of the 2024 Baleno
Despite the moderate safety rating, Maruti Suzuki has equipped the 2024 Baleno with several safety features to ensure a safe driving experience for occupants. The inclusion of these features as standard across variants highlights Maruti Suzuki’s commitment to improving vehicle safety.
Dual Front Airbags
The 2024 Baleno comes with dual front airbags as standard across all variants. These airbags provide protection for the driver and front passenger in the event of a frontal collision, reducing the risk of severe injury.
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ensures that the wheels do not lock up during sudden braking, allowing the driver to maintain control of the vehicle. Combined with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), which adjusts the brake force depending on the load, these features enhance the car’s braking performance.
Rear Parking Sensors and Camera
The rear parking sensors and camera provide assistance when reversing, helping drivers avoid obstacles. This feature is especially useful in crowded urban areas where parking spaces are tight and visibility is limited.
ISOFIX Child Seat Anchors
For families, the ISOFIX child seat anchors provide a secure way to attach child safety seats, ensuring that they are safely secured during travel. This feature is particularly important for protecting younger passengers in the event of a collision.
Seatbelt Reminders and Pretensioners
The Baleno is equipped with seatbelt reminders for both the driver and front passenger, ensuring that occupants wear their seatbelts at all times. Seatbelt pretensioners automatically tighten the seatbelts during a crash, reducing the slack and improving protection.
| Safety Feature | Details |
| Dual Front Airbags | Standard in all variants |
| ABS with EBD | Helps prevent wheel lock-up during braking |
| Rear Parking Sensors | Assists in avoiding obstacles while reversing |
| ISOFIX Child Seat Anchors | Secure attachment for child seats |
| Seatbelt Reminders | Alerts driver and passenger to wear seatbelts |
Areas for Improvement in the Baleno’s Safety Performance
While the 2024 Baleno offers several safety features, it lags behind in some areas, especially when compared to competitors in the premium hatchback segment. Here are some of the areas where the Baleno’s safety can be improved:
Structural Integrity
The Global NCAP rating highlighted that the Baleno’s structure was rated unstable during the crash test. This indicates that the vehicle may not be able to withstand significant impacts, particularly in the event of a more severe collision. Improving the body shell design and reinforcing key structural components could enhance occupant safety.
Lack of Side and Curtain Airbags
The absence of side and curtain airbags limits the protection offered to occupants in the event of a side impact. Many competitors in the premium hatchback segment, such as the Hyundai i20 and Tata Altroz, offer additional airbags as part of their safety package, providing enhanced protection.
Absence of Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is a vital safety feature that helps prevent skidding and loss of control during sharp turns or sudden maneuvers. While this feature is becoming more common in modern cars, it is missing in the 2024 Baleno.
| Area for Improvement | Details |
| Structural Integrity | Rated as unstable by Global NCAP |
| Side and Curtain Airbags | Not available, reducing side impact protection |
| Electronic Stability Control | Not offered in any variant |
How the Baleno Compares with Competitors in Safety
In the premium hatchback segment, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno faces stiff competition from models like the Hyundai i20, Tata Altroz, and Honda Jazz. Let’s compare the Baleno’s safety features and Global NCAP ratings with those of its key competitors.
- Tata Altroz: The Altroz has a 5-star safety rating from Global NCAP, making it the safest hatchback in its class. It offers additional safety features like side airbags and ESC.
- Hyundai i20: The i20 offers advanced safety features like 6 airbags and ESC, and while it has not been officially tested by Global NCAP, it is considered to be a safer option than the Baleno.
- Honda Jazz: The Jazz comes with dual front airbags, ABS, and rear parking sensors, but it lacks the advanced safety features offered by the i20 and Altroz.
| Car Model | Global NCAP Rating | Key Safety Features |
| Tata Altroz | 5 stars | Dual airbags, ABS, ESC, side airbags |
| Hyundai i20 | Not tested | Dual airbags, ESC, side airbags |
| Honda Jazz | Not tested | Dual airbags, ABS, rear parking sensors |
| Maruti Suzuki Baleno | 3 stars (adult), 2 stars (child) | Dual airbags, ABS with EBD, ISOFIX anchors |
FAQs
What is the Global NCAP safety rating of the 2024 Baleno?
The 2024 Maruti Suzuki Baleno has received a 3-star safety rating for adult occupant protection and a 2-star rating for child occupant protection from Global NCAP.
Does the 2024 Baleno have airbags?
Yes, the 2024 Baleno comes with dual front airbags as standard across all variants.
Is the Baleno a safe car for families?
While the 2024 Baleno offers basic safety features like dual airbags, ABS, and ISOFIX anchors, it falls short compared to competitors like the Tata Altroz, which has a 5-star safety rating. Families seeking top-tier safety may want to consider these alternatives.
How can the Baleno improve its safety rating?
To improve its safety rating, the Baleno could benefit from adding side and curtain airbags, ESC, and enhancing the structural integrity of the vehicle.
Does the Baleno have ISOFIX child seat anchors?
Yes, the 2024 Baleno is equipped with ISOFIX child seat anchors, ensuring a safe and secure way to install child safety seats.
Related Post:
The 2024 Maruti Suzuki Baleno offers a decent level of safety with essential features like dual airbags, ABS with EBD, and ISOFIX child seat anchors. However, with its 3-star Global NCAP rating, there are areas where the Baleno could improve, particularly in terms of structural integrity, side impact protection, and electronic stability control. For those looking for a safe, reliable hatchback, the Baleno remains a solid choice, but potential buyers should also consider alternatives like the Tata Altroz or Hyundai i20 for enhanced safety features.