Maruti Suzuki, India’s leading carmaker, has taken a significant leap forward in vehicle safety. Celebrating the 10th anniversary of its premium Nexa channel, established in 2015, the company recently rolled out the “Nexa Safety Shield” and “Arena Safety Shield” programs. These initiatives aim to make advanced safety features a standard across their entire range, ensuring greater protection for drivers and passengers alike.
Both Safety Shield programs come packed with essential features. The Nexa Safety Shield, specifically designed for Maruti Suzuki’s premium lineup, includes six airbags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), and an Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with Hill Hold Assist. It also provides ISOFIX child seat anchorages, reverse parking assist, and three-point ELR seatbelts with reminders. Moreover, Nexa models now meet stringent frontal offset, side impact, and pedestrian protection standards. For the Arena range, the Arena Safety Shield offers a very similar set of crucial features, including six airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP with Hill Hold Control, reverse parking sensors, and three-point ELR seatbelts with reminders.
Both programs also stand out with a comprehensive 3 years or 100,000 km warranty, reflecting Maruti Suzuki’s commitment to durability and customer confidence. To provide a clearer comparison of the features offered under each program, please refer to the table below:
| Feature | Nexa Safety Shield | Arena Safety Shield |
|---|---|---|
| Airbags | 6 airbags | 6 airbags |
| ABS with EBD | Yes | Yes |
| ESP (Electronic Stability Program) | With Hill Hold Assist | With Hill Hold Control |
| ISOFIX Child Anchorages | Included | Not explicitly mentioned |
| Reverse Parking Aid | Reverse parking assist | Reverse parking sensors |
| Seatbelts | Three-point ELR with reminders | Three-point ELR with reminders |
| Warranty | 3 years / 100,000 km | 3 years / 100,000 km |
| Compliance | Frontal offset, side impact, pedestrian protection standards | Not explicitly detailed |
Maruti Suzuki’s Broader Safety Commitment
Maruti Suzuki’s dedication to safety goes beyond just these shield programs. In the current financial year (FY 2024-25), the company has made ESP a standard feature across all its models. Furthermore, six airbags are now standard in a remarkable 14 models, placing Maruti Suzuki ahead of upcoming regulations. This strategic move highlights their proactive approach to enhancing safety for all customers, from entry-level hatchbacks to premium SUVs. In fact, Maruti Suzuki is now the sole Indian automaker to offer ESC and six airbags as standard right from their most affordable cars up to their top-tier vehicles. As an example of this commitment, in May 2025, Maruti Suzuki ARENA announced that six airbags would be standard across popular models like the WagonR, Alto K10, Celerio, and Eeco.
This commitment is strongly supported by their state-of-the-art Rohtak Research and Development (R&D) facility. Built with a substantial investment of Rs 3,800 crore, this facility is a hub for rigorous safety testing. Before any new model hits the market, it undergoes over 50 different crash tests, including about 30 physical crash tests, ensuring every vehicle meets the highest safety benchmarks, as per Maruti Suzuki’s internal R&D data.
Leading the Way in Safety Ratings and Future Technology
The results of these extensive efforts are clearly visible in recent safety ratings. The all-new Dzire, for example, has proudly become the first sedan in India to achieve an impressive 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating. Not far behind, the popular Baleno also secured a commendable 4-star Bharat NCAP rating, underscoring the effectiveness of Maruti Suzuki’s robust safety architecture. These ratings, as per official Bharat NCAP reports, validate the company’s rigorous testing and design processes, with recognition occurring between August 9-10, 2025.
Looking ahead, Maruti Suzuki is not slowing down. Recent enhancements include the integration of front row side and curtain airbags, heads-up displays, and 360-degree view cameras for better situational awareness. Electronic parking brakes with auto-hold and tyre pressure monitoring systems are also being introduced for added convenience and safety. The upcoming eVitara, Maruti Suzuki’s first electric vehicle, is set to push boundaries further by featuring Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and structural improvements specifically designed for EV battery packs, demonstrating a forward-looking approach to electric vehicle safety.
With the launch of the Nexa and Arena Safety Shields, combined with ongoing standardisation and pioneering R&D efforts, Maruti Suzuki is clearly redefining vehicle safety in India. Their unwavering focus on integrating advanced safety technologies and achieving top ratings shows a strong dedication to making Indian roads safer for everyone.
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