Maruti Suzuki India Limited has received a comprehensive five-star Bharat NCAP safety rating for its e VITARA electric SUV, marking the company's fourth consecutive top rating under the national vehicle assessment program.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari presented the certification to Maruti Suzuki, recognizing the e VITARA as India's first five-star rated electric SUV. The minister commended the automaker for equipping all variants with seven airbags as standard, including a driver's knee airbag.
The e VITARA joins Maruti Suzuki's growing portfolio of five-star Bharat NCAP-rated vehicles, alongside the All-New Dzire, VICTORIS, and INVICTO models. The electric SUV voluntarily underwent the assessment process, demonstrating the company's commitment to safety standards.
Built on Suzuki's new HEARTECT-e platform designed exclusively for electric vehicles, the e VITARA features a robust body structure with over 60 percent ultra-high tensile and high-tensile strength steel. The vehicle includes advanced battery protection with an energy-absorbing mounting structure.
Managing Director and CEO Hisashi Takeuchi stated that Maruti Suzuki plans to export the e VITARA to more than 100 countries worldwide, leveraging the Bharat NCAP certification. The Made-in-India vehicle is engineered to perform in extreme temperatures ranging from minus 30 degrees Celsius to 60 degrees Celsius.
The e VITARA comes equipped with Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), including automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and blind spot monitoring. Additional safety features include Electronic Stability Program, hill hold control, anti-lock braking system with electronic brake-force distribution, and multi-collision braking.
The electric SUV offers two battery options of 49 kWh and 61 kWh, providing what the company describes as superior performance and excellent range. All variants include a 360-degree surround view camera, front and rear parking sensors, and emergency call functionality with SOS.
The Bharat NCAP program, which uses globally benchmarked vehicle test protocols, evaluates both adult and child occupant protection. The e VITARA received top ratings in both categories, demonstrating its comprehensive safety performance across different crash scenarios and protection standards.