Mahindra Thar 5-Door

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 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. Also Read: Automatic Sedan Cars Under Rs 10 Lakh in India

The Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP) is an initiative introduced by Nitin Gadkari, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in India to enhance the safety standards of vehicles on Indian roads. Launched on 22 August 2023, Bharat NCAP aims to evaluate the safety performance of vehicles that can accommodate up to eight passengers and should not weigh more than 3500 kg. The government believes that the new crash testing protocol will help increase the safety standard of vehicles sold and exported from India. Slated to come into effect from 1 October 2023, the Bharat NCAP makes India the 5th country in the world to have a dedicated crash test program after the US, China, Japan and South Korea. According to Gadkari, testing a car through the Bharat NCAP program costs about Rs 60 lakh, while doing a similar test in another country could cost around Rs 2.5 crore. Types of Crash Testing When it comes to crash testing, the Bharat NCAP protocols are in line with Global NCAP norms. The program assesses the safety features and crashworthiness of vehicles through comprehensive testing procedures including deformable barrier frontal impact test, pole side impact test, and side impact tests. The frontal crash test will be done at a speed of 64 kmph while the side and pole-side impact tests will be conducted at 50kmph and 29 kmph, respectively. Furthermore, Bharat NCAP would make it necessary to install six airbags, 3-point seatbelts for every passenger, electronic stability control (ESC), and improved emergency braking systems. Under the Bharat NCAP program, Indian automakers will be able to submit their cars for voluntary testing under the Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) 197. Moreover, Bharat NCAP will be in authority to choose and pick cars that are made in India or imported to India from showrooms for crash testing. Read Also: A List of Top 10 Safest Cars in India According to GNCAP How are the safety ratings determined for Bharat NCAP? The Bharat NCAP norms will be applicable for testing and rating vehicles based on their performance. It assigns safety ratings to models, ranging from 0 to 5 stars, with higher stars indicating better safety. In order to receive a 5-star rating, the vehicle has to collect at least 27 points in adult protection and 41 points in child occupant protection. The overall testing standard and rating system have been designed with global standards and in line with the Global NCAP crash testing. Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra, Toyota gives thumbs up to Bharat NCAP On the announcement of this new Bharat NCAP, big automakers such as Maruti Suzuki, Toyota, Hyundai and Mahindra have already committed to sending their vehicles for a car crash test program. Over a period of time, other car manufacturers will also ensure to deliver the highest safety standards across their products. The government has made it clear that the new testing standard is not mandatory for auto manufacturers but a more voluntary approach. To help enhance the impact of Bharat NCAP, Global NCAP has confirmed that it will stop testing cars made in India. This will eliminate any confusion created by two testing standard ratings. Verdict By encouraging manufacturers to produce safer vehicles and providing consumers with transparent information about a vehicle's safety performance, Bharat NCAP plays a crucial role in driving improvements in the safety of Indian automobiles, ultimately contributing to the overall road safety ecosystem in the country. Read Also: Toyota Cars Offering ADAS in India

Mahindra cars is currently busy developing the new XUV.e9 EV. Showcased as a concept earlier this year, the electric SUV coupe will be sharing the brand’s new INGLO architecture with the XUV.e8 SUV but will be positioned above it and launch later as well. Now, the latest spy shots have revealed the XUV.e9 being tested overseas. We take a closer look. Mahindra XUV.e9: Caught Testing While the test mule is covered in full camouflage, the spy shots have revealed a few details about the XUV.e9. The front end seems to get a full-width LED light bar and a closed-off grille, while the halogen headlights will be replaced by LED units in the production model. At the side, it gets a steeply raked roofline and flush-fitting door handles. The rear end features an integrated boot lid spoiler with the LED taillights and lightbar positioned just below it. Moving inside, the Mahindra XUV.e9 interior has a similar layout to the XUV.e8. However, a big difference we noticed in the former is the triple-screen setup that dominates the entire dashboard. The spy shots also reveal a dual-spoke steering wheel, stubby gear knob, and two rotary dials that will likely control the drive modes and AWD modes. In terms of features, expect the ZUV.e9 to come loaded with them, highlights including Level 2 Autonomous Driving, HUD with augmented navigation, and vehicle-to-load function to power external power devices. Read Also: Upcoming Cars and SUVs Launching in India 2024 Mahindra XUV.e9: Powertrain Details Mahindra has already confirmed the XUV.e9 will share the same powertrain with the XUV.e8. There will be two battery pack sizes offered with top-end variants getting an 80 kWh unit and also a dual electric motor setup for all-wheel-drive capabilities. The automaker claims that the larger battery pack should offer a range of around 450 km on the WLTP cycle. Mahindra XUV.e9: Launch and Pricing The Mahindra XUV.e9 will follow the XUV.e8, which is expected to arrive by late 2024. Upon launch, the XUV.e9 will sit above the latter in Mahindra’s lineup, with prices ranging somewhere around Rs 35 lakh (ex-showroom) - Rs 45 lakh (ex-showroom). Read Also: Mahindra XUV.e8 Spied Testing in India

Last year during its annual Independence day event, Mahindra cars unveiled its full range of pure EVs in concept form. Among the numerous models on display, the XUV.e8 attracted eyeballs as it was the first model to be launched. Now, the latest spy shots have caught the electric SUV being tested on Indian roads. Mahindra XUV.e8 Spied: What Does It Reveal? While the test mule was fully clad in camouflage, it did reveal a few things about the upcoming Mahindra XUV.e8. The front-end design retains certain elements from the concept like the vertical LED headlights and full-width LED light bar. It may also get a redesigned bumper and grille. The test mule is wearing alloy wheels from the XUV700 which will likely be changed for all-new units. At the rear, the XUV.e8’s design is similar to the current XUV700 SUV but may get a reprofiled bumper. The spy shots also gave us a look into the XUV.e8’s cabin. There is a new 2-spoke steering wheel and a drive selector which are identical to the ones seen on the concept. While it could not be confirmed on the test mule, the XUV.e8 could also offer a triple-screen setup for the dashboard. Mahindra XUV.e8: Powertrain Details The XUV.e8 will be underpinned by Mahindra’s new INGLO modular platform, which can accommodate 60 kWh and 80 kWh battery packs. The automaker claims a WLTP-certified range of 450 km on the 80 kWh unit, while both sizes will support up to 175 kW DC fast charging. Mahindra may offer the XUV.e8 in both all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive variants, with the former making around 390 bhp of peak power while the latter pumps out up to 285 bhp of max power. Mahindra XUV.e8: Launch and Pricing Mahindra is planning to introduce the XUV.e8 around the 2024 festive season, with prices expected to start from around Rs 35 lakh (ex-showroom). Upon launch, it will directly rival the BYD Atto 3 and sit above the likes of the MG ZS EV and Hyundai Kona Electric. Read Also: Toyota Innova Hycross GX Limited Edition Model Launched in India