Suzuki S-Presso gets zero-star Global NCAP rating for child protection 

Suzuki’s S-Presso model failed to score even a single star out of five when it came to child occupant crash protection, according to the latest crash assessments conducted by the Global New Car Assessment Program or Global NCAP. 

Tests on the small hatchback yielded 3.52 points out of a possible 100 for child safety. The score was garnered in relation to installing a child restraint system (CRS), which accommodated only a limited selection of models as the tested unit came with no ISOFix anchors.  

In crash tests, the child seat for a 3-year-old occupant was installed facing forward using the adult seatbelt and failed to prevent the child’s head from lurching forward during a frontal impact. A second child seat for an 18-month-old occupant was mounted facing the rear using the adult seatbelt. While this afforded good protection to the head during frontal impacts, it provided poor protection to the child’s chest area. 

Child occupant protection was compromised by a lack of ISOFix points on the Indian version (Philippine-spec model shown)

Meanwhile, the S-Presso managed 20.03 points in terms of adult occupant protection, equivalent to one out of a total of five stars. In frontal impacts, the head and neck areas of both the driver and front passenger were adequately protected. There was marginal protection for the passenger’s chest area, while poor protection was shown on the driver’s chest. 

Marginal protection was also evident on the driver’s knee, in contrast with good protection for the front passenger. Protection for the leg area on both driver and passenger was rated between marginal and adequate, while the vehicle’s footwell was adjudged unstable overall. 

Dual front airbags became standard on the Indian release only this year (Philippine-spec model shown)

According to Global NCAP, the S-Presso delivered marginal head and chest protection during side impacts, while the abdomen and pelvis areas received good protection. Side pole impact tests were not conducted due to the absence of side head protection, while the seatbelt reminder (SBR) for the driver and front passenger reportedly did not meet Global NCAP requirements. Bodyshell integrity was rated as unstable.  

It should be noted that the S-Presso which underwent the assessment was an Indian-market model that did not come with ISOFix child seat mounting points, as opposed to the Philippine-spec version that offers them as standard. Both releases come equipped with dual front airbags, front seatbelts with pretensioners, and side impact protection doors. Updates to the Indian release include electronic stability control and hill-hold assist for variants equipped with the auto gear shift (AGS) transmission.  

The S-Presso previously scored two stars for child occupant protection in the African market

In 2020, the India-spec S-Presso met with zero stars for adult occupant protection and two stars out of five for child occupant safety during Global NCAP crash tests. This marginally improved to three stars for adult occupants and two stars for child passengers, when Global NCAP tested an Indian-made unit for African markets in the first half of 2022.       
 
Read more about how your favorite models fare at Philkotse.com.