ACKO Drive Awards 2026: Maruti Suzuki India Crowned Safety Champion

Maruti Suzuki India was crowned the 2026 Safety Champion at the recently concluded ACKO Drive Awards 2026 for the second consecutive year. India’s largest automaker has made giant strides in championing safety, notably with its newer models, the Victoris, Dzire and the upcoming e-Vitara. For a brand often criticised for poor safety ratings, Maruti Suzuki has taken crucial steps to rectify that narrative, and set benchmarks for other automakers to follow.

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The new Maruti Suzuki Victoris became the first car in India to get five stars at Bharat NCAP and Global NCAP for adult and child occupant protection. What’s equally impressive is that high-volume models like the new-generation Dzire also received a five-star safety rating at Bharat NCAP. The Dzire is the best-selling car in India in the 2025 calendar year, and the move ignites confidence for buyers.

Maruti Suzuki has also added six airbags and three-point seatbelts with emergency locking retractors (ELR) on its more accessible models, even the Alto K10. Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), and Electronic Stability Program (ESP) are now standard across the range, while Auto Hill Hold on the AMT variants adds additional layers of safety. The auto giant is also investing in driving schools with in-house expert trainers and simulators working with students to bring better drivers to public roads.

For a brand once heavily criticised for scoring 0 stars in the Global NCAP crash tests, Maruti Suzuki India has come a long way in enabling safety where it matters, something we expect to see more of in the future.