- New Vitara scores high in all categories of assessment
- The first compact SUV to attain five stars in new and more rigorous testing by Euro NCAP
- Outstanding crash performance due to Suzuki’s Total Effective Control Technology (TECT)
The new Suzuki Vitara compact SUV, launched earlier this month, is rated one of Europe‘s safest cars according to independent crash testing results from Euro NCAP, receiving the maximum 5-star rating. Vitara is also the first compact SUV to earn five stars in the more rigorous 2015 Euro NCAP testing programme which further reinforces the exemplary level of safety of the new model.
Suzuki’s new Vitara has been awarded high scores in all four areas of assessment and also exceeds the minimum level required in all of these to attain the five star rating. These areas are listed below:
| Area of Assessment | Vitara Score | Minimum required for Five star Euro NCAP rating |
| Adult occupant | 89% | 80% |
| Child Occupant | 85% | 75% |
| Pedestrian | 76% | 65% |
| Safety Assist | 75% | 70% |
The new Vitara’s passive and active safety systems are designed to intelligently anticipate and react to potentially dangerous situations with an excellent level of protection. One of its major safety features is Total Effective Control Technology which is a concept for occupant protecting impact absorption and low weight developed by Suzuki. Extensive use of high tensile steel and computer aided engineering technologies make the body light, highly crashworthy as well as fuel efficient.
Standard safety equipment includes seven airbags which includes a driver’s knee airbag as well as seat belt pre-tensioners and force limiters. Euro NCAP’s 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.
Suzuki paid particular attention to child safety in accordance with latest European legislation and pedestrian protection received the highest score amongst its competitors thanks to bonnet shape and new structures for the cowl top and wipers. The bumpers also provide good impact absorption to lessen the degree of harm if the car comes into contact with a pedestrian.
Vitara is on sale in the UK from £13,999 for the SZ4 1.6-litre petrol model with two wheel drive and is available with ALLGRIP four wheel drive as an option.