Safety concerns raised as popular small car receives one-star ANCAP rating in Australia

The Australasian College of Road Safety (ACRS) is calling for urgent action following the recent one-star safety rating given to the Suzuki Swift by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). The popular small car, currently being sold in Australia, falls well below the safety standards of similar vehicles in its category, raising serious concerns for Australian road users.

In stark contrast, the Suzuki Swift sold in Europe meets stricter vehicle design standards, achieving a three-star safety rating under the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP). This discrepancy highlights the inconsistency in vehicle safety standards applied across different markets, ultimately putting Australian consumers at a disadvantage. Even more concerning is that many consumers purchased the vehicle before it underwent ANCAP testing, under the mistaken belief that the Australian model had the same safety features as its European counterpart.

“The one-star rating of the Suzuki Swift in Australia is unacceptable, particularly when European consumers are benefiting from a higher level of protection in the same model,” said Dr Ingrid Johnston, CEO of the ACRS. “This situation underscores the urgent need for Australia to adopt stronger regulatory measures to ensure that all vehicles sold here meet the highest safety standards.”

The Suzuki Swift’s poor safety performance is particularly concerning when compared to other similarly priced and sized vehicles in the Australian market that have achieved the highest five-star ANCAP safety ratings. Similarly priced models such as the 2024 Hyundai i30 have demonstrated significantly better occupant protection, crash avoidance, and overall safety performance.

Key safety shortcomings identified in the Suzuki Swift’s ANCAP assessment include:

  • Structural vulnerabilities, particularly in side-impact and frontal-offset crash tests.
  • Inadequate safety assist features, such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and lane-keeping assistance, which are standard in five-star-rated competitors.
  • Limited occupant protection, leading to increased risk of serious injury in the event of a collision.

Australasian road safety advocates are urging consumers to prioritise safety when purchasing new vehicles and for manufacturers to ensure that all models sold in Australia meet the same rigorous standards as those in Europe.

“Every Australian driver deserves access to vehicles that meet the highest possible safety benchmarks,” Dr Johnston added. “The Australian Design Rules are currently being reviewed, and we urge the government to implement stronger regulations to prevent unsafe vehicles from entering the market.”