Indian consumers are more conscious and interested in car safety features than ever. But how to identify if a car that is rated high for safety? Well, one can go by the GCNAP assessment. The Global NCAP (Global New Car Assessment Programme) aims to promote safety by releasing information about the safest car in India. Since January 2014, GNCAP has been releasing information about car safety and quality as part of its ‘Safer Cars for India’ project. The Global NCAP test looks to simulate the head-on collision between two cars. The testing car maintains a speed of 64 kmph and drives into a wall, which weight is the same as the testing vehicle.
But Indian authorities follow a different rule where the car needs to maintain a speed of 56 kmph. Since July 2022, GNCAP has upgraded its testing protocol to pass the side impact test and include ESC and pedestrian protection measure as standard to receive a full 5-star safety rating. Currently only the Skoda Kushaq and the Volkswagen Taigun have been tested under the new testing regulations.
Skoda Kushaq & Volkswagen Taigun: 5 Star
Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun earned top billings in the new Global NCAP test protocols. Both SUVs earned a 5-star rating for both adult and child occupant protection. Both models received the tag of the safest made-in-India car for 2022. These SUVs accumulated 29.64 points out of a total of 34 points for adult occupant safety. On the other hand, they earned 42 out of 49 points in the child occupant category. Also, their bodyshell was found to be stable even on further loadings. About the pricing, the range for the Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun starts at Rs 11.29 lakh and Rs 11.55 lakh (Ex-Showroom).
Tata Punch -5 stars
Tata Punch takes the top spot in list of safest cars in India. According to the old Global NCAP ratings, the 5-seater sub-Compact SUV scored 16.45 points out of 17 for adult and 40.89 points out of a maximum of 49 points for child safety protection. Tata Punch received the full 5-star for adult occupant safety and 4-stars for child occupancy. Tata Punch price starts from Rs 5.82 lakh (Ex-Showroom).
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Mahindra XUV300- 5 stars
The Mahindra XUV300 received a 5-star rating. The model received 16.42 points out of 17 for adult safety occupancy, thus earning a safety rating of five stars. On the other hand, the sub-four-meter compact SUV scored 37.44 points out of 49 for child occupancy, earning four stars ratings. With the new results, XUV300 gets the tag of Mahindra safest car. The bodyshell of the Mahindra XUV300 was rated stable as per the test results. In pricing, the model starts from Rs 8.41 lakh (Ex-showroom).
Tata Altroz- 5 stars
Built on the same platform as Punch, the Tata Altroz hatchback scored 16.13 out of 17 points for adult occupant protection. It received 29 out of 49 points for child safety, giving the car a 3-star rating. Also, Altroz passed the side-impact crash test condition conducted by GNCAP. Standard safety features include dual airbags, ABS with EBD, seat belt reminders for the front seats, and ISOFIX child seat mounts. On the other hand, top-end variants come loaded with safety features like a rear parking camera and height-adjustable front seat belts. Prices for the Tata Altroz start at Rs 6.29 lakh (Ex-Showroom).
Tata Nexon- 5 Stars
Tata’s compact SUV, the Nexon achieved a five-star score for adult occupancy or 16.06 points out of 17. For child safety, Nexon scored 29 points out of 49 for a 3-star rating. The Nexon passed the GNCAP’s side-impact test and satisfies the UN95 side-impact protection criteria. Nexon bodyshell was rated stable by GNCAP. Regarding the pricing, the Tata Nexon price starts from Rs 7.54 Lakh (Ex-Showroom).
Mahindra XUV700 – 5 stars
In the Global NCAP crash test, the Mahindra XUV700 received a 5-star rating for adult occupant protection and 4-stars for child occupant protection. Regarding adult occupant safety, it scored 16.03 out of 17 points, while for child occupant safety, it obtained a score of 41.66 out of 49. The SUV's bodyshell was certified as stable and able to resist additional loads. The XUV700 price starts at Rs 13.45 Lakh (Ex-Showroom).
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Honda Jazz- 4 stars
The soon outbound I Honda Jazz received a 4-star rating for adult occupant safety and a 3-star rating for child occupant protection. For adult occupant safety, the Jazz received 13.89 out of 17 points, while for child occupant protection, it received 31.54 out of 49 points. Additionally, its bodyshell was certified as stable and able to handle additional loads. The price of Honda Jazz is Rs 8.01 Lakh (Ex-Showroom).
Toyota Urban Cruiser – 4 stars
As per the newly released Global NCAP crash test ratings, the Toyota Urban Cruiser earned a 4-star rating for adult occupant protection and a modest 3-star rating for child occupant protection. The Urban Cruiser scored 13.52 points out of a possible 17 for adult occupant safety and 36.68 out of a maximum of 49 for child occupant safety. Its bodyshell was evaluated as stable as well. Urban Cruiser price starts from Rs 9.02 Lakh (Ex-Showroom).
Mahindra Marazzo- 4 stars
Rounding off the top 10 safest cars in India is the Mahindra Marazzo. Made-in-India MPV received a 4-star safety rating for adult occupant protection (12.85 out of 17 total points) and 2-star rating for child occupant protection (22.22 out of 49 total points). The bodyshell was certified as stable and able to sustain additional loads.
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