For decades, Maruti Suzuki cars were synonymous with affordability and fuel efficiency in India but safety was always the elephant in the room. Independent crash tests often exposed structural weaknesses, and for years Maruti models routinely scored one or two stars in global assessments. That changed dramatically in November 2024, when one car rewrote the narrative entirely.
The 2024 Maruti Suzuki Dzire became the first Maruti Suzuki car in history to score a five-star safety rating from Global NCAP — and it is also one of the most affordable cars in its segment. This blog gives you everything you need to know about it.
Why the Dzire Matters: A Historic Safety Milestone
The new Maruti Suzuki Dzire, launched in the Indian market in November 2024, scored a five-star result for adult occupant safety and four stars for child occupant safety in Global NCAP testing. Fitted with six airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and pedestrian protection as standard, the new Dzire is the first Maruti Suzuki to achieve a five-star Global NCAP rating.
To appreciate how significant this is, consider the contrast. The prior generation of the Dzire scored only a 2-star rating, lacking adequate stability in its bodyshell and overall structural integrity. The jump from two to five stars in a single generation is not incremental — it represents a complete rethinking of how the car is built.
The achievement did not go unnoticed globally. David Ward, Executive President of the Towards Zero Foundation, commented that the new Dzire's five-star rating sets a significant safety benchmark for Maruti Suzuki compared to the previous version of this model and others from Maruti that had been tested, calling the milestone voluntary test result warmly welcomed by Global NCAP.
The Crash Test Numbers in Detail
Numbers do not lie, and the Dzire's performance was not just a borderline five-star scrape — it was a commanding result.
Global NCAP (November 2024):
In the adult occupant protection test, the Maruti Suzuki Dzire scored 31.24 points out of 34. In child occupant protection, it scored 39.20 points out of 49, earning five stars for adult safety and four stars for child safety.
In the frontal impact test, the driver's chest received marginal protection, while the passenger's chest had adequate protection. Both the driver's and passenger's knees and heads received good protection, and the tibias showed adequate protection. The footwell and bodyshell were rated as stable, meaning they can handle further loadings. In the side impact test, the head, chest, abdomen, and pelvis all received good protection.
Bharat NCAP (2025):
The Dzire then went on to repeat its performance in India's own crash testing programme. In the Bharat NCAP crash test, the Maruti Dzire secured a total score of 29.46 out of 32 in the adult occupant section. The Frontal Offset Deformable Barrier Test yielded 14.17 out of 16, and the Side Movable Deformable Barrier Test scored 15.29 out of 16. In child occupant protection, it scored 41.57 out of 49, with perfect scores of 8 out of 8 in the frontal dynamic test for the 18-month-old child dummy, 4 out of 4 in the side dynamic test, and a full 12 out of 12 in child restraint system installation.
The Maruti Dzire was the first Maruti car to score a full 5-star rating in any NCAP test. It first scored five stars in the Global NCAP safety test in 2024, and then in 2025 it repeated the feat in the Bharat NCAP safety test — making it one of the safest cars in India with two credible testimonials for passenger safety.
Standard Safety Features Across All Variants
One of the most important aspects of the Dzire's safety story is that the core safety equipment is not reserved for the top variant. In terms of safety features, the Dzire offers six airbags, ISOFIX child mount seats, Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), hill hold assist, rear parking sensors, three-point seat belts with reminders for all seats, and ABS with EBD as standard across all variants. Higher variants also offer a 360-degree camera.
Additionally, the tested model featured front seatbelt pre-tensioners and load limiters, and the DZire meets UN standards for pedestrian protection, underscoring its commitment to comprehensive safety for both occupants and pedestrians.
Price and Variants
The Maruti Dzire price for the base model starts at Rs. 6.26 lakh and the top model goes up to Rs. 9.31 lakh (average ex-showroom).
The car is offered in four main variants — LXi, VXi, ZXi, and ZXi Plus — with petrol manual, AMT (automatic), and CNG options available across trims. This means a buyer can get a five-star-rated car starting at just above six lakh rupees, which is a remarkable value proposition in the Indian market.
Among the variants, the premium ZXi and ZXi Plus have proven immensely popular, accounting for 37% of the total demand, while in December 2024 alone, Maruti sold 10,709 units of the model.
Engine, Performance, and Fuel Efficiency
The 2024 Maruti Suzuki Dzire is powered by a refined 1.2-litre Z Series petrol engine, available with both a five-speed manual and AMT transmission, delivering 80 bhp and 112 Nm of torque for a smooth and efficient drive. For those seeking alternative fuel, a CNG variant is available on select trims, offering 68 bhp and 102 Nm, focusing on optimal fuel economy.
The Dzire's fuel efficiency ratings are strong, with the manual petrol variant reaching 24.79 km/l, the automatic at 25.71 km/l, and the CNG model at an impressive 33.73 km/kg — catering to cost-conscious and eco-friendly drivers alike.
Dimensions and Space
The new-generation Dzire continues with the Heartect platform, and its dimensions measure 3,995mm in length, 1,735mm in width, and 1,525mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,450mm. The sub-four-metre footprint keeps it agile in city traffic while the generous wheelbase ensures a comfortable and spacious interior for all five occupants.
Features and Technology
Inside, the sedan is equipped with a 9-inch SmartPlay Pro+ infotainment system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a wireless charger. Safety is further enhanced with a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, while comfort is prioritised through automatic air conditioning, rear AC vents, and a rear armrest.
Available in three new colours — Alluring Blue, Gallant Red, and Nutmeg Brown — the Dzire also retains popular hues such as Arctic White and Magma Grey, and stands out with segment-first LED Crystal Vision headlamps offering improved visibility.
What Changed from the Old Dzire?
The transformation from the previous Dzire to the 2024 model is striking. The old Dzire had scored just two stars for adult occupant protection in Global NCAP tests, with an unstable bodyshell and inadequate structural integrity. The 2024 model flipped this completely — the bodyshell is now rated stable and capable of withstanding further loadings, the footwell area maintains its structure under impact, and the jump to a six-airbag standard setup ensures full-row protection instead of just front-seat coverage.
The shift reflects Maruti's broader response to India's evolving safety standards and the launch of Bharat NCAP in 2023, which created a local, credible testing framework that gave both manufacturers and consumers a clearer benchmark.
Should You Buy It?
For the Indian buyer seeking the highest safety credentials at the lowest possible price within the Maruti Suzuki lineup, the answer is clear. The 2024 Dzire is the only Maruti car to have earned a double five-star endorsement — from both Global NCAP and Bharat NCAP — while being priced at a starting point of around Rs. 6.26 lakh. No other car in Maruti's lineup offers this combination at this price.
If you are a family buyer, a first-time car owner, or simply someone who refuses to compromise on occupant safety, the 2024 Maruti Suzuki Dzire is the most compelling case Maruti Suzuki has ever made for itself on safety grounds — and that alone makes it a landmark product in Indian automotive history.
Rohit Sharma
AuthorLast updated 37 minutes ago
