The Suzuki Swift, which previously carried a 1-star ANCAP rating for models sold in Australia and New Zealand, has now achieved a significant safety upgrade. Vehicles built from August 2025 (from VIN ~250001) and available for sale from September 2025 are assessed under the revised safety specification and now hold a 3-star ANCAP rating.
The improvement reflects stronger results in crash testing and the fitment of a wider range of active safety systems, such as autonomous emergency braking (with pedestrian, cyclist, and motorcycle detection), lane support with emergency lane keeping, and speed assistance with traffic sign recognition. Standard equipment also includes dual frontal, side chest, and curtain airbags, though a centre airbag remains absent.
While the rating upgrade brings the Australian-spec Swift closer in line with its European counterpart, ANCAP noted that there are still some weaknesses, like weak chest protection for the driver in the frontal offset test, mixed child occupant protection results, and the lack of child presence detection and multi-collision braking. Suzuki Australia has not confirmed what changes led to the updated outcome.
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Breaking down the scores
Adult Occupant Protection – 67%
The Swift’s cabin remained stable in the frontal offset crash, though chest protection for the driver was rated weak, and dashboard structures posed injury risks. Lower leg protection was marginal, but side and oblique pole tests showed good results. Whiplash protection was assessed as good, while the absence of a centre airbag saw it score zero in far-side impact tests.
Child Occupant Protection – 65%
Child dummy results were mixed as the 10-year-old dummy recorded poor protection for the chest in some tests, while the 6-year-old showed better outcomes. Side-impact testing for children was generally positive. The Swift offers ISOFIX and top-tether anchor points in the rear seats, though installation of some restraints required care. A child presence detection system is not fitted.
Vulnerable Road User Protection – 76%
Pedestrian head protection was good across most of the bonnet, but weak at the windscreen base and pillars. Pelvis protection scored full points, while femur results were mixed. The AEB system performed strongly in forward pedestrian and cyclist tests, and adequately with motorcycles, though it does not operate in reverse scenarios.
Safety Assist – 55%
The Swift is equipped with AEB (Car-to-Car, Vulnerable Road User, Junction Assist), lane support systems, and speed limit recognition. Tests showed good AEB performance, especially at junctions and crossings, but poor results in head-on scenarios. Lane keeping was rated adequate to good, while driver monitoring and seatbelt reminders were limited by the lack of occupant detection in rear seats.
Standard safety equipment
All Swift variants built from August 2025 include the following as standard:
- Dual frontal, side chest-protecting, and side head-protecting airbags (no centre airbag)
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (car-to-car, pedestrian, cyclist, motorcyclist, junction assist)
- Lane support (LKA, LDW, ELK)
- Speed Assistance System with sign recognition
- Driver monitoring system for fatigue
- Seatbelt reminders for all seats
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What does ANCAP say about this result?
ANCAP noted the significant improvement over the earlier 1-star rating, acknowledging the Swift’s stronger crash protection and broader safety tech. However, it also highlighted the car’s limitations, including weak driver chest protection in the frontal offset test and the absence of child presence detection. The organisation advises buyers to ensure they’re purchasing a vehicle built from August 2025 onwards to benefit from the updated safety specification.
Who should consider Suzuki Swift?
The Suzuki Swift, now upgraded to a 3-star ANCAP safety rating, appeals to a wide range of buyers:
- Urban drivers: Its compact size, light handling, and improved safety tech make it well-suited for city commuting and daily errands.
- Budget-conscious buyers: With affordable pricing and stronger crash performance than earlier models, it’s a practical choice for budget-conscious buyers.
- Small families and first-time buyers: Enhanced child occupant protection, ISOFIX anchorages, and standard active safety features provide added reassurance for young households and those purchasing their first new car.
Final Thoughts
The Suzuki Swift’s improved 3-star ANCAP rating marks progress for one of Australia’s most popular light cars. While not class-leading, the update provides reassurance with stronger occupant protection and a broader set of active safety technologies. Buyers should be mindful of build dates, as earlier 1-star Swift remain on sale in the used market.
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