Demands for SUVs is at an all-time high, especially the compact SUVs, which are not only budget-friendly but also offer great value for money. If you purchase a new compact SUV for your garage, then here is a list of 7 cars worth considering in terms of the safety on offer.
Mahindra XUV300
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| Price Range | Rs 7.99 - 14.76 lakh (ex-showroom) |
| No. of Airbags | Up to 6 |
| Engine Options | 1.2L MPFi Turbo-Petrol, 1.2L TGDI Turbo-Petrol, 1.5L Diesel |
| Fuel Efficiency | Up to 20 kmpl |
The XUV300 is one of the safest Mahindra SUVs in India. Despite being Mahindra’s smallest SUV, it boasts a 5-star safety rating for Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) and a 4-star for Child Occupant Protection (COP) in Global NCAP’s crash tests, demonstrating its highest standards of passenger protection.
It offers two frontal airbags, ABS with EBD, Corner Braking Control and ISOFIX child seat anchors as standard. ESP, Roll-over Mitigation and Hill Start Assist (HSA) and side & curtain airbags limited to range-topping trim. It is expected to receive a mid-life facelift update soon.
Mahindra Thar
| Price Range | Rs 10.98 - 16.94 lakh (ex-showroom) |
| No. of Airbags | 2 |
| Engine Options | 1.5L Diesel, 2L Turbo-Petrol, and 2.2L Turbo-Diesel |
| Fuel Efficiency | - |
The rough & tough second-generation Mahindra Thar isn’t just an extremely capable off-roader but also the safest one in its class. It has achieved 4 stars for both adult and child occupant protection in Global NCAP’s crash tests. It receives safety features like dual front airbags (with passenger airbag deactivation switch), ABS with EBD, brake assist, rear parking sensors with camera, a 3-point seat belt for all passengers, a tyre pressure monitoring system, roll cage, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and Hill Assist Control.
Also Read: Why Thar is So Popular Among Enthusiasts
Tata Nexon
| Safety Ratings | 5-star (AOP), 3-star (COP) |
| Price Range | Rs 8.10 - 15.50 lakh (ex-showroom) |
| No. of Airbags | Up to 6 |
| Engine Options | 1.2L Turbo-Petrol and 1.5L Turbo-Diesel |
| Fuel Efficiency | Up to 17.44 kmpl (Petrol), up to 24.08 kmpl (Diesel) |
The newest car on the block is the Tata Nexon, which was the first sub-four metre SUV to obtain a full 5-star safety rating by Global NCAP. The new SUV has been thoroughly refreshed with new design, features and safety tech. In terms of safety equipment, the model features up to 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, cornering control and more as standard.
Tata Punch
| Safety Ratings | 5-star (AOP), 4-star (COP) |
| Price Range | Rs 6 - 10.10 lakh (ex-showroom) |
| No. of Airbags | 2 |
| Engine Options | 1.2L Petrol and CNG |
| Fuel Efficiency | Up to 20.09 kmpl (Petrol) and 26.99 km/kg (CNG) |
Tata Motors has several offerings in the sub-4m category, but none are as popular as the tiny Punch. Its robust safety ratings, along with its Harrier-inspired design, spacious cabin and impressive equipment list contribute to its huge fan following.
Since we are focusing on safety, the Punch comes loaded with features like dual-front airbags, ABS with EBD, Brake Sway Control, rear defoggers, rear parking sensors with a rear-view camera, and ISOFIX anchors.
Also Read: Top 5 Things to Know about Tata Punch
Maruti Suzuki Brezza
| Safety Ratings | 4-star (AOP), 2-star (COP) |
| Price Range | Rs 8.29 - 14.14 lakh (ex-showroom) |
| No. of Airbags | Up to 6 |
| Engine Options | 1.5L Petrol and CNG |
| Fuel Efficiency | Up to 19.8 kmpl (Petrol) and 25.51 km/kg (CNG) |
The Brezza was the first Maruti Suzuki offering to score an impressive 4-star rating in adult occupant protection from GNCAP. Its bodyshell was rated stable and qualified to withstand more impact.
It's worth noting that the crash test was conducted on the previous-gen Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and interestingly, its latest version comes with more safety features than its predecessor, which should enhance its safety quotient further.
Having said that, the standard safety kit of the 2023 Maruti Suzuki Brezza includes dual-front airbags, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Hill Hold Assist (HSA), front seat belt pre-tensioners, ISOFIX anchors, rear parking sensors, and seat belt reminders for all occupants. Higher trims further get side & curtain airbags, a 360-degree camera, and a heads-up display.
Also Read: Maruti Suzuki Brezza: Best Variant to Buy
Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger
| Safety Ratings | 4-star (AOP), 2-star (COP) |
| Price Range | Rs 6 - 11.02 lakh (Magnite), Rs 6.50 - 11.23 lakh (Kiger) (ex-showroom) |
| No. of Airbags | 2 |
| Engine Options | 1.0L NA Petrol and 1.0L Turbo-Petrol |
| Fuel Efficiency | 17-20 kmpl combined (Magnite) and 21 kmpl combined (Kiger) |
Sharing a platform and powertrains, both the Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger triumphantly acquired a stellar 4-star rating in Adult Occupant Safety in Global NCAP. This, coupled with their aggressive pricing, extensive features list, stylish design, and spacious cabin, these dynamic duos offer an alluring, well-balanced package for budget-conscious buyers, providing serious value for money.
Note: All cars mentioned here were crash-tested on older parameters of the GNCAP, which were less stringent than the current testing criteria. Also, it is worth noting that the Indian Government has recently introduced its own car assessment programme, known as Bharat NCAP, which is aligned with the global crash test standards.
