Suzuki Vitara Euro NCAP crash test

5 stars. Overall excellent performance in crash protection and well equipped with comprehensive and robust crash avoidance technology

The passenger compartment of the Vitara remained stable in the frontal offset test.  The car scored maximum points for its protection of the passenger dummy in this test, with good protection of all body areas.  Dummy readings showed good protection of the knees and femurs of the driver and passenger.  Suzuki showed that a similar level of protection would be provided to occupants of different sizes and to those sat in different positions.  In the full-width frontal impact, protection of the front passenger was good for all body regions except the chest, protection of which was adequate.  For the rear passenger, protection of the neck and chest was adequate and that of the head and femurs was good.  The Vitara scored maximum points in the side impact barrier test with good protection of all critical body areas.  Even in the more severe side pole impact, protection was good for all areas and maximum points were scored.  Tests on the front seats and head restraints showed good protection against whiplash injury in the event of a rear-end collision and a geometric assessment of the rear seats also indicated good protection.  The Vitara has an autonomous emergency braking system which operates at the low speeds typical of city driving.  However, as the system is not standard equipment, its AEB City functionality did not qualify for inclusion in the assessment.

In the dynamic tests, the Vitara scored maximum points for its protection of the 1 year dummy.  In the frontal impact, forward movement of the head of the 3 year dummy, sat in a forward-facing child restraint, was not excessive although measurements of the neck tension were marginally high.  In the side impact, both dummies were properly contained within the protective shells of their restraints, minimising the risk of head contact with parts of the car interior.  The front passenger airbag can be disabled to allow a rearward-facing child restraint to be used in that seating position.  Clear information is provided regarding the status of the airbag and the system was rewarded.  All of the restraint types for which the car is designed could be properly installed and accommodated in the vehicle.

The bumper provided good protection to pedestrians' legs in all areas tested.  However, the protection provided to the pelvis area was mixed, some areas showing good protection and others poor.  The surface of the bonnet provided good protection to the head of a struck pedestrian in almost all areas tested, with some poor results only on the stiff windscreen pillars.

Electronic stability control is standard equipment on the Vitara, as is a seatbelt reminder system for the front and rear seats.  A driver-set speed limitation system is an option but is expected to be fitted to most vehicles sold and met Euro NCAP's requirements for systems of this type.  An autonomous emergency braking system is available as an option.  Although the system's low-speed functionality was not eligible for assessment (as the system is not standard), its functionality at the higher speeds typical of inter-urban driving was included and its performance was good.  A lane departure warning system is not available for the Vitara.