ANCAP’s independent testing of the Suzuki Fronx Hybrid has resulted in the vehicle narrowly reaching the threshold for a one-star safety rating, following poor performance in key crash tests and low levels of occupant protection for both adults and children.
In addition to its poor overall crash performance, ANCAP testing identified a serious and separate safety concern, with a rear seatbelt failure occurring during the full width frontal crash test.
This component failure has been reported to Australian and New Zealand vehicle safety regulators. Crash testing showed the Suzuki Fronx delivered poor levels of occupant protection for both adults and children.
In the full-width frontal test, excessive chest loads were recorded for the rear passenger, exceeding ANCAP performance thresholds and resulting in the score being capped under ANCAP assessment protocols.
Key body regions of both the 10-year-old and 6-year-old child occupants were also capped at zero points, due to high head acceleration and excessive neck tension. During the full width frontal test, the rear passenger seatbelt retractor of the Suzuki Fronx failed.
This resulted in an uncontrolled seatbelt release where the rear dummy became unrestrained, allowing it to strike the rear of the front seat. While the component failure is serious, the vehicle had already received zero points in the full-width frontal test.
That was before the failure occurred, due to high chest load. Importantly, the one-star rating reflects the Fronx’s overall crash performance – particularly the performance of its structure and restraint systems. It’s not a consequence of the separate seatbelt failure.
ANCAP advises consumers to be aware of this component failure if considering purchasing a Suzuki Fronx prior to Suzuki demonstrating that the component failure has been investigated and addressed.
Approximately 1,600 Fronx vehicles have already been sold in Australia, with a further 1,000 sold in New Zealand. Full details on the safety performance of the Suzuki Fronx can be viewed at http://ancap.link/s/cb710f.
In response, the Japanese car maker acknowledged the recent ANCAP assessment and is taking decisive action, including a thorough investigation, as customer safety is non-negotiable and remains Suzuki’s highest priority across Australia and New Zealand.
Suzuki Australia has elevated the review of this assessment to a matter of immediate focus and is working directly with Suzuki Motor Corporation in Hamamatsu, Japan, and Suzuki New Zealand to fully understand the ANCAP testing outcomes.
This review is being progressed with urgency and at the highest levels of the organisation. A thorough and disciplined investigation is underway, and Suzuki will take any actions required to uphold our safety standards and the trust our customers place in our brand.
In an official statement, Suzuki said it firmly believes in learning from local testing and regulatory feedback as part of our continuous improvement philosophy. These assessments are treated seriously.
According to the car brand, they play an important role in strengthening vehicle safety, performance, and reliability. It highlighted the fact the Fronx Hybrid was developed with the aim of being a vehicle that meets the safety standards of Australia and New Zealand.
It has been certified as such, albeit with just one star. Suzuki Australia said it remains in close and ongoing engagement with ANCAP, the Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts.
It’s also in contact with the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment, Suzuki New Zealand, and its global headquarters to ensure full alignment, clarity, and timely communication.
Suzuki has stated it will continue to prioritise this matter and will provide further updates as soon as appropriate, reinforcing our commitment to transparency, accountability, and the safety of Suzuki owners and drivers throughout Australia and New Zealand.
The Fronx Hybrid was officially introduced to the Australian market in August 2025 and is equipped with collision mitigation braking, lane keep assist, lane departure prevention, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert.
It also comes with a 360-degree camera, rear camera and parking sensors, and driver drowsiness warning function. It adopts the improved DSBS II setup, which can now detect motorcycles and cyclists as part of lane departure and lane keep systems.
This has also allowed for capability beyond lane markings to include boundaries such as asphalt and grass/soil, curbs, and guardrails. In addition, the Fronx is equipped with a head-up display.
