ANCAP crash test results

Suzuki Alto | 2009 on

Dual front+side(chest) airbags*

* Australasian model has side curtains

Occupant protection score: 25.55 out of 37

Important note: The right-hand-drive European model was tested by Euro NCAP. Australasian specifications may vary and therefore models sold in Australasia might provide different levels of protection to those described on this page.

Model history and safety features

The Suzuki Alto was introduced in Australia and New Zealand during 2009.

Dual front airbags, side airbags and head-protecting side curtains are standard equipment in Australasia. Antilock brakes (ABS) with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) and emergency brake assist are also standard. Electronic stability control (ESC) is optional. An intelligent seat belt reminder is fitted to the driver seat.

Pretensioners are fitted to the front seat belts to reduce slack in the event of a crash. The Alto is a four-seat vehicle.

Occupant protection:

The Alto scored 10.36 out of 16 in the offset crash test. The passenger compartment held its shape well. Protection from serious leg injury was weak for the driver.

The vehicle scored 14.19 out of 16 in the side impact crash test. There was a moderate risk of serious chest injury for the driver. Head protection was good.

Frontal offset crash test

Body region scores out of 4 points each: Head/neck 4 pts, chest 3.25 pts, upper legs 2 pts, lower legs 1.11 pts.

The passenger compartment held its shape well in the offset crash test. The throttle pedal moved rearwards by 9 mm. The clutch pedal moved upwards 27 mm. The steering wheel hub moved 16mm forward, 24mm downward and 19 mm sideways. The front ("A") pillar moved 11 mm rearwards. All doors remained closed during the crash. After the crash all doors could be opened with normal effort. The airbag cushioned the head of the driver and contact was stable. Dash components were a potential source of injury for the knees of the driver and passenger. The passenger's head was cushioned by the airbag.

Side impact crash test

Body region scores out of 4 points each: Head 4 pts, chest 2.48 pts, abdomen 3.71 pts, pelvis 4 pts.

The vehicle tested by Euro NCAP did not have side curtains. These are standard on the Australasian model but, since the head score was a full 4 points in the European test, the presence of side curtains is unlikely to change the score in this test. Head-protecting side airbags can provide protection in more severe side impacts such as that reproduced in the ANCAP pole test. However, since the offset test score was less than 12.5 (the minimum for a 5-star rating) the Australasian Alto was not eligible for this test, which can earn a further two points.

Injury measurements

Body region		Offset crash test at 64 km/h (v4.1)		Side impact crash test at 50 km/h (v4.1)
		Driver	Passenger	Driver
Head HIC		372	314	146
Acceleration (g for 3ms)		45.7	41.6	49.2
Neck - Shear (kN)		0.41	0.36	-
- Tension (kN)		1.56	0.91	-
- Extension (Nm)		22.9	10.9	-
Chest Accln (g for 3ms)		-	-	-
Compression (mm)		27.25	20.89	18.39
Viscous criterion (m/s)		0.10	0.08	0.14
Abdomen - Force (kN)		-	-	1.110
Pelvis - Force (kN)		-	-	2.610
Upper legs - Force (kN)	Left	0.92	0.10
	Right	0.48	0.50
Knee displ (mm)	Left	0.00	0.40
	Right	1.20	3.80
Lower legs - Force (kN)	Left	1.94	2.00
	Right	2.46	2.19
Index (Upper/Low)	Left	0.44/0.25	0.39/0.17
	Right	0.74/1.05	0.31/0.3

Bonus points (maximum 5)

Pole test: Not eligible due to low offset test score.

Seat belt reminders: 1 (see table below for details)

Modifiers - deductions from offset test scores

Head		No deduction
Chest		No deduction
Upper leg	Variable & conc. loading	2 pt deduction Left & Right for driver and passenger
Lower leg		No deduction
Foot score		Score 4 pts

Modifiers - deductions from side impact test scores

Chest

No deduction

Safety features

These specifications are subject to change. Please check with manufacturer for the latest specifications.

Driver airbag	S
Passenger front airbag	S
Side airbags, front seats - chest protection	S
Side airbags, front seats - head protection	S
Side airbags, rear seats - head protection	S*
Driver knee airbag	X
Seat belt pretensioners (Front/Rear outboard)	S/X
Antilock (ABS) brakes / Electronic brake distribution / Brake Assist	S/S/S
Electronic stability control (ESC, VSC, DSC, ESP, VSA	0#*
3 point centre rear seat belt	-  @
Active head restraints - front seats	X
Intelligent seat belt reminder - driver	S
Intelligent seat belt reminder - front passenger	X
Rear seat belt status indicator	X

Key:
* Not fitted to model tested by Euro NCAP.
@ Not applicable as there is no centre-rear seating position
S = standard on all variants
O = optional on base variant. May be standard on higher variants
V = not available on base variant but standard or optional on higher variants
X = not available on any variant
# = ESC required by ANCAP for 5 star rating from 2008.

Pedestrian protection rating:

The front edge of the bonnet scored no points for the protection it offers to pedestrians' legs. The protection offered by the bumper was marginal. Poor protection was provided by the bonnet in most areas likely to be struck by the head of an adult or a child.

Child head impacts	4.21
Adult head impacts	5.29
Upper leg impacts	Zero
Lower leg impacts	3.28
Total (out of 36)	12.78

ANCAP printable version (PDF, 147 KB)

Page created: 8 June 2009