What's Changed at NCAP? Inside the New, Tougher Tests That the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Aced

The Global New Car Assessment Programme (Global NCAP) has implemented its most comprehensive safety testing protocols to date, effective from August 2025, marking a significant evolution in vehicle safety assessment worldwide. The updated framework mandates stricter requirements for electronic stability control, pedestrian protection, and side impact testing whilst specifically incorporating India into its enhanced testing regime. 

The Maruti Suzuki Victoris is the first car to be tested under this new evolved protocol and it has received a 5 star rating, which goes to show how well the company has managed to package the car in terms of safety. We spoke exclusively with Alejandro Furas, Senior Technical Strategy Advisor, GNCAP, and when asked about the performance of the Victoris at the GNCAP crash test, he was all praise for Maruti Suzuki. He said, “What we can see here is a long-term commitment from the manufacturer and not just for one car. They’re not looking at just the Indian market but also the global market. There is pressure on them as well (as Made-in-India cars are exported to global markets) not just to bring the technological improvements but to also perform well according to those.”

Key Changes in 2025 Protocol Framework

The 2025 protocols represent a fundamental shift from the organisation's earlier assessment methods, introducing mandatory requirements that were previously optional. The enhanced testing regime builds upon the 2022 protocol changes but extends requirements significantly further.

Under the previous framework implemented in July 2022, Global NCAP had already introduced stricter requirements including mandatory side impact testing and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) for five-star ratings. The organisation also implemented pedestrian protection measures as per UN requirements and enhanced child occupant protection assessments.

The 2025 updates expand these requirements across lower rating categories whilst introducing new assessment criteria. Most significantly, the protocols eliminate fitment rate requirements for critical passive and active safety equipment, ensuring higher-rated vehicles demonstrate comprehensive protection across all variants.

Enhanced Testing Requirements and India's Integration

The 2025 protocols establish India's formal integration into Global NCAP's enhanced testing framework, alongside continued assessment of African markets. This inclusion ensures Indian vehicles undergo the same rigorous evaluation as their global counterparts, promoting standardised safety across emerging markets.

The new protocols mandate Electronic Stability Control as standard equipment for vehicles achieving three stars or above, with compliance required under GTR8 standards. Vehicles must additionally pass a "moose test" to demonstrate ESC effectiveness. This represents a significant advancement from earlier protocols where ESC was only required for the highest ratings.

Side impact testing, previously optional for lower ratings, now becomes mandatory for all vehicles scoring above two stars. The testing includes a 54 kmph Mobile Deformable Barrier (MDB) side impact test, enhanced from the previous 50 kmph standard. Additionally, a side pole impact test at 29 kmph becomes mandatory for vehicles seeking four stars or above.

Pedestrian protection emerges as a critical requirement, with all vehicles requiring compliance with UN R127 or GTR9 standards as standard fitment across all variants. This addresses a significant gap in earlier protocols where pedestrian safety was not systematically evaluated.

Scoring System Transformation

The Adult Occupant Protection scoring system undergoes substantial revision, increasing from a maximum 16 points under earlier protocols to 34 points. This expanded scoring encompasses 16 points for frontal impact assessment, 16 points for side impact evaluation, and 2 points for seat belt reminder systems.

Child Occupant Protection assessment receives enhanced methodology, incorporating Q-series dummies and dynamic test scoring rather than the static assessments used previously. The protocols also introduce more stringent requirements for child restraint system compatibility and assessment procedures.

Electric Vehicle Safety Integration

Recognising the growing prevalence of electric vehicles, the 2025 protocols introduce comprehensive EV safety assessments. Post-crash evaluations must comply with UN R94, UN R95, UN R135, and UN R137 standards, addressing electrical shock protection, electrolyte leakage, REESS retention, and fire hazards. Failure to meet these requirements results in Adult Occupant Protection points being capped at zero.

Assuring Consumer Safety Through Enhanced Protocols

The enhanced protocols ensure consumer safety through multiple interconnected mechanisms. Capping limits for critical body regions — head, neck, and chest for frontal impacts, and head, chest, abdomen, and pelvis for side impacts — prevent vehicles with poor protection in vital areas from achieving misleading ratings.

The protocols incorporate extensive modifier systems that penalise vehicles for structural instabilities, improper airbag deployment, or asymmetrical protection between driver and passenger sides. These modifiers ensure ratings reflect real-world crash performance rather than optimised test conditions.

Vehicle structural integrity receives increased scrutiny, with penalties applied for A-pillar displacement, passenger compartment compromise, and footwell rupture. Door opening during impact, fuel leakage, and fire risk all trigger significant point reductions or rating caps.

Implementation Timeline and Global Impact

The August 2025 implementation represents the culmination of extensive development work, with the protocols designed to remain effective through 2029. The enhanced framework positions Global NCAP as a more comprehensive safety authority, particularly in markets lacking established testing programmes.

For Indian consumers, the integration ensures continued access to internationally benchmarked safety information, complementing the domestic Bharat NCAP programme. The protocols' emphasis on standard fitment requirements across all variants prevents manufacturers from offering enhanced safety features only on premium models.

The transformation from technology-based assessments to scenario-based evaluations better reflects real-world crash conditions. This evolution addresses the increasing complexity of modern safety systems whilst maintaining clear, consumer-friendly star ratings.

The enhanced Global NCAP protocols represent a significant advancement in automotive safety assessment, establishing more rigorous standards that better protect occupants whilst promoting global harmonisation of safety requirements. Through India's formal integration and the comprehensive testing framework, consumers worldwide benefit from clearer, more meaningful safety information that drives continuous improvement in vehicle design and manufacturing standards.