As Maruti Suzuki’s premium NEXA brand completes a decade, the automaker has unveiled comprehensive safety packages for both its NEXA and ARENA vehicle lines. The newly introduced NEXA Safety Shield and ARENA Safety Shield represent the company’s continued leadership in automotive safety, bringing advanced protection features to Indian consumers ahead of regulatory requirements.
The NEXA Safety Shield offers a robust suite of safety technologies including six airbags for comprehensive occupant protection. The package combines ABS with EBD for superior braking performance and incorporates ESP with Hill Hold Assist for enhanced vehicle stability. Buyers also benefit from a 3-year/100,000 km warranty, reverse parking assist, and advanced seatbelt systems with reminders. The shield further includes ISOFIX child seat anchors and comprehensive impact protection covering frontal, side, and pedestrian safety scenarios.
Similarly, the ARENA Safety Shield provides comparable protection with six airbags, ABS with EBD, and ESP systems. This package features Hill Hold Control for safer hill starts and reverse parking sensors for improved maneuverability. Like its NEXA counterpart, it includes 3-point ELR seatbelts with reminders and comes with the same 3-year/100,000 km warranty coverage, demonstrating Maruti Suzuki’s commitment to uniform safety standards across its product range.
Mr. Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer of Marketing & Sales, emphasized the company’s safety-first philosophy. “Safety remains our strategic priority,” he stated, noting that Maruti Suzuki introduced ESP as standard across all models and six airbags in 14 models during FY 2024-25, well ahead of regulatory timelines. Banerjee positioned the Safety Shield initiative as part of the company’s customer-focused approach, developed to anticipate and meet evolving consumer expectations for vehicle safety.
Maruti Suzuki’s safety extends beyond these new packages. The company has made substantial investments in safety R&D, including a ₹3,800 crore state-of-the-art testing facility in Rohtak. Each new model undergoes rigorous evaluation through 50+ crash tests before launch, with approximately 30 vehicles sacrificed in the process. This commitment has yielded notable achievements, including making Maruti Suzuki the only automaker in India to offer ESC and six airbags as standard equipment across its entire range, from entry-level hatchbacks to premium SUVs.
The company’s safety credentials have been validated through independent testing, with the all-new Dzire earning the distinction of being India’s first 5-star BNCAP rated sedan. The Baleno also performed strongly with a 4-star rating. Beyond vehicle safety, Maruti Suzuki maintains an active role in broader road safety initiatives, working across education, enforcement, evaluation and emergency care domains to improve overall road safety in India.
With over four decades of automotive leadership in India, Maruti Suzuki continues to set industry benchmarks. The introduction of the NEXA and ARENA Safety Shields on NEXA’s 10th anniversary underscores the company’s commitment to making advanced safety technologies accessible across all vehicle segments, while maintaining its reputation for customer-focused innovation and value.
