Safety of occupants as well as drivers while on the move is paramount while also being one of the deciding factors in the purchase of any car or SUV in India. The reasons for this are pretty obvious: a) India ranks on the top position in road accidents, b) the woeful condition of roads, and c) the lack of basic safety features in several cars. Though, the Indian automobile industry has undergone a radical change in recent years with the focus turning towards safety and security aspects, all thanks to the Global New Car Assessment Program (GNCAP). For those asking, it is the regulatory body for the safety assessment of new cars internationally. The Global NCAP launched a #SaferCarsForIndia program and as a part of it, several made-in-India cars were tested by this agency. It gave ratings to these cars and SUVs on the basis of their performances in the frontal and side crash test. Hence, in this piece of Droom Discovery Advisory (DDA), we are presenting the top five safest cars in India 2021:
1. Tata Nexon:
Words fall short when it comes to the safety and security features of Tata Nexon. It is the first Made-in-India product to receive the highest 5-star safety rating from the Global NCAP. The Nexon was awarded a score of 16.6 out of 17 for adult protection while it scored 25 out of 49 in the child protection category. The sub-compact SUV has been in Indian market since 2017. Being available in both petrol and diesel fuel trims with manual and automatic gearboxes, it is priced in a range of Rs 7.19-12.95 Lakhs (Ex. Showroom, Delhi). The standard safety features on-board are ABS with EBD, Dual front airbags, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Electronic Traction Control (ETC), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Hill Hold Control (HHC), ISOFIX anchorages for kids, Reverse Park Assist and Roll-over Mitigation.
2. Mahindra XUV300:
The smallest SUV from Mahindra has upped the ante by a huge extent when it comes to safety of the occupants. Mahindra XUV300 got the highest 5-star safety rating from the Global NCAP during the frontal and side crash tests. In addition, it was given a flabbergasting 4-star rating in the child protection category by the global regulatory body. The SUV was awarded Global NCAPS’s Safer Choice Award for its impeccable safety and security features. Being priced in a bracket of Rs 7.95-11.46 Lakhs (Ex. Showroom, New Delhi), Mahindra XUV300 standard safety features include Corner Braking Control, ABS with EBD, Dual front airbags, Speed sensing door lock, Passenger airbag deactivation switch, Panic Braking Signal, Impact Sensing Door Unlock, ISOFIX Child Seat Anchors, and all 4 disc brakes.
3. Tata Altroz:
Tata Altroz is the only hatchback in the Indian market to score the highest 5-star rating in the safety tests conducted by the Global NCAP. It got 16.13 out of 17 in adult protection while receiving a three-star rating in child protection category. Tata Altroz is priced between Rs 5.80-9.55 Lakhs (Ex. Showroom, New Delhi) while it can be availed in both petrol and diesel fuel trims with a total of three engine options. Some of the notable safety features in the Altroz include Dual front airbags, ABS 9.3 with EBD and Corner Stability Control, Reverse Parking Sensors, ISOFIX Child Seat Anchorage, Driver & Co-Driver Seat Belt Reminder, High Speed Alert System, Impact Sensing Auto Door Unlock etc.
4. Volkswagen Polo:
It would not be exaggeration if we call Polo the most 'complete' hatchback presently available in the Indian market. Volkswagen Polo excelled in the Global NCAP safety tests by scoring a 4-star rating. The dual front airbag version of the hatch scored 12.54 out of 17 in adult occupancy. On the other hand, it was awarded a three-star rating in child protection. However, the version without the dual airbags (discontinued now) scored a dismal zero star in the same tests. The Polo is priced in a domain of Rs 6.16-9.60 Lakhs (Ex. Showroom, Delhi) while available with a couple of petrol engines. It has been packed with a plethora of first grade safety features like Dual front airbags, ABS, Rear parking sensors and a galvanised steel body with laser-welded roof.
5. Maruti Vitara Brezza:
It is the only product in the entire portfolio of Maruti to have scored a 4-star safety rating in Global NCAP crash tests. Being in the Indian market for more than 5 years now, the Maruti Vitara Brezza was awarded 12.51 out of 17 for adult safety and 17.93 out of 49 for child protection. The sub-compact SUV is available only with a petrol engine as the diesel version was discontinued, following the implementation of BS6 emission norms from April 1, 2020. Maruti Vitara Brezza price starts at Rs 7.52 Lakhs and goes as high as Rs 11.41 Lakhs for the range-topping variant. (Both the prices are Ex. Showroom, Delhi). The safety features offered as standard are Dual Front Airbags, ABS with EBD, High Speed Warning Alert, Child-proof Rear Door Locks, Side Impact Protection Beam and Reverse Parking Sensor With Infographic Display.