The Maruti Suzuki Brezza just earned something its old version never had: a 5-star crash-test certificate. Bharat NCAP scored the 2026 facelift 30.41/32 for adults and 43/49 for kids, one day before its launch on 24 July. That puts Maruti's second-highest-selling SUV right in the safety conversation with the Tata Punch and Tata Nexon, and it counters the old 'Maruti = tin-can' talk.
Bharat NCAP 5-star: 30.41/32 adult, where it lost points
The Brezza scored 30.41 out of 32 for adult occupant protection (AOP), a 5-star result under Bharat NCAP (India's own crash-test program, run at government-set speeds). It got a full 16/16 in the side impact test at 50 km/h, meaning side protection for front passengers is excellent. In the frontal offset test at 64 km/h, it scored 14.41/16. There, the driver's head, neck, pelvis, and legs got 'good' protection, but the chest and shin area got only 'adequate.' In plain terms: strong all-around, with the chest being the one spot that took a bit more load in a hard frontal hit.
Child protection: 43/49, and why it dropped 6 points
For child occupant protection (COP), the Brezza scored 43 out of 49. It got a perfect 24/24 in the dynamic crash test and a full 12/12 for how easily child seats fit (CRS installation). Both dummies, an 18-month-old and a 3-year-old in rearward-facing seats, scored top marks in the frontal and side tests. But it lost 6 points on the vehicle assessment score, getting 7/13. That's usually about built-in child-seat features and instructions, not raw crash safety. So the cabin protects kids very well; the loss is on the paperwork-and-fitment side.
Which variant was tested, and does the badge cover all trims?
Bharat NCAP physically crashed the ZXi+ 1.5L 6AT (automatic) version of the new Brezza. And yes, the rating applies to every variant, from the base LXi to the top ZXi Plus. So whether you buy the ₹8.26 lakh LXi or the ₹13.01 lakh ZXi Plus AT, the same body structure and standard safety kit carry the 5-star stamp. That's the caveat buyers should know: if one variant is tested, the score is line-wide.
6 airbags, ESC, ISOFIX: The safety kit
The tested Brezza came with 6 airbags, electronic stability control (ESC, which helps stop skids), seatbelt reminders on all seats, and front-seat belt pretensioners (tighten the belt in a crash). It also has ISOFIX anchors (fixed points to lock in a child seat) on the rear outer seats. Higher trims add front and rear parking sensors and a 360-degree camera. That's a solid list, and it lands the Brezza in the 5-star club alongside three other Maruti models: the Fronx, Dzire, and Swift.
Maruti Suzuki Brezza
SUVBrezza petrol, CNG, and AT: Every price from our catalogue
Current Brezza prices run from ₹8.26 lakh to ₹13.01 lakh (ex-showroom); on-road adds road tax, registration, and insurance, so budget more depending on your state. The 1.5-liter petrol makes 99 bhp with the manual and 102 bhp with the automatic (which uses mild-hybrid tech to save a little fuel). CNG trims put out 87 bhp. Mileage (fuel economy) is 17.8 kmpl on the LXi/VXi petrol manual and up to 19.89 kmpl on the ZXi and ZXi Plus manual. The LXi starts at ₹8.26 lakh, the VXi at ₹9.26 lakh, the ZXi at ₹10.40 lakh, and the top ZXi Plus AT at ₹12.86 lakh. CNG spans four trims from ₹9.17 lakh (LXi) to ₹11.31 lakh (ZXi), which is one of the widest CNG line-ups in this segment. Note: The facelift launching tomorrow is expected to open slightly higher, around ₹8.99 lakh.
Brezza vs. Punch, Magnite, Exter, Kiger: Who else has 5 stars?
The Tata Punch also holds a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating, and it undercuts the Brezza hard, starting at ₹5.70 lakh against ₹8.26 lakh, a ₹2.56 lakh gap at entry. But the Punch is smaller, and its CNG choice is limited. The Brezza counters with CNG across four trims and that mild-hybrid automatic the Punch can't match. The Nissan Magnite (₹5.65–11.13 lakh), Hyundai Exter (₹5.81–9.61 lakh), and Renault Kiger (₹5.81–10.35 lakh) all start cheaper too. So the Brezza is the pricier pick here, but it now brings a proven crash score plus more powertrain choice.
Should you buy the facelift now or wait for the turbo-petrol?
The 2026 Brezza is expected to add a turbo-petrol engine (a punchier motor for stronger pull) alongside the existing 1.5-liter, with a new 6-speed manual. If you want extra performance without jumping to a bigger SUV, that's worth waiting for tomorrow's launch to see. But if your priority is a safe, frugal daily family SUV, the current 5-star Brezza with the ₹10.40 lakh ZXi (petrol manual, 19.89 km/l) is the sweet spot, or the CNG if your city has good pumps. Buy now if value and running cost matter most; wait a day if you're curious about the turbo. Ideal buyer: a family of five wanting a proven-safe, low-running-cost compact SUV.
References: Maruti Suzuki India — official website · Bharat NCAP
