Top 10 Safest Cars in India: Discover Ratings of Each Car at Global NCAP testing in 2024
India’s roads are among the most perilous globally, highlighting the critical need for vehicles that prioritize occupant safety upon impact. With a staggering statistic from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways reporting 9.5 fatalities per 100,000 people in 2022, the quest for the safest cars in India has never been more urgent. This urgency brings us to the Global NCAP (New Car Assessment Program) ratings, a beacon for consumers seeking vehicles that offer superior protection. In this article, we delve into the top ten safest cars in India for 2024, as dictated by Global NCAP’s comprehensive safety assessments.
Understanding Global NCAP Ratings
The Global NCAP safety assessment involves a critical test known as the front offset crash test, designed to mimic the impact of a head-on collision between two vehicles of identical weight traveling at 50 km/h. During the test, the test vehicle is propelled towards a deformable barrier at 64 km/h, with the collision affecting only 40% of the vehicle’s front, to simulate real-world crash scenarios.
Within the vehicle, crash test dummies take the place of a typical family, with two adult dummies seated in the front and two child dummies positioned in the rear seats. This setup aims to replicate a standard family outing, providing a comprehensive analysis of the safety measures in place for passengers of varying ages and sizes.
The determination of the vehicle’s safety ratings is based on the protection levels for both adult and child occupants as revealed through these crash tests. The evaluation process focuses on data collected from the dummies, with additional recognition given for the inclusion of specific safety technologies.
Adult occupant protection is quantified with a score out of 16, with points awarded based on the protection afforded to vital body regions including the head, neck, chest, knees, femurs, pelvis, legs, and feet. Additionally, the presence of safety features such as seatbelt reminders, anti-lock braking systems (ABS), and standard side impact protection can contribute to an extra point in the scoring system.
For child occupant protection, the assessment involves the use of two dummies representing an 18-month-old infant and a three-year-old child, securely fastened in ISOFIX-compatible child seats. This portion of the test scores up to 49 points, scrutinizing the same critical areas as the adult test, with a particular focus on the efficacy of the child seats in protecting young passengers.
Top Ten Safest Cars in India
Our compilation of India’s ten safest vehicles is anchored on the Global NCAP’s evaluations, which include safety ratings for both adult and child occupants and details the car’s body type. These vehicles are arranged in descending order, prioritized by their scores in adult occupant protection.
| Rank | Car Name | GNCAP Rating- Adult Occupant Score | GNCAP Rating- Child Occupant Score | Car Body Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Tata Harrier | 5 stars (33.05 max 34 points)* | 5 stars (45.00) | 5 door SUV |
| #2 | Tata Safari | 5 stars (33.05 max 34 points)* | 5 stars (45.00) | 5 door SUV |
| #3 | Volkswagen Virtus | 5 stars (29.71 max 34 points)* | 5 stars (42.00) | 5 door sedan |
| #4 | Skoda Slavia | 5 stars (29.71 max 34 points)* | 5 stars (42.00) | 5 door sedan |
| #5 | Skoda Kushaq | 5 stars (29.64 max 34 points)* | 5 stars (42.00) | 5 door SUV |
| #6 | Volkswagen Taigun | 5 stars (29.64 max 34 points)* | 5 stars (42.00) | 5 door SUV |
| #7 | Mahindra Scorpio-N | 5 stars (29.25 max 34 points)* | 3 stars (28.93) | 5 door SUV |
| #8 | Hyundai Verna | 5 stars (28.18 max 34 points)* | 5 stars (42.00) | 5 door sedan |
| #9 | Tata Punch | 5 stars (16.45) | 4 stars (40.89) | 5 door SUV |
| #10 | Mahindra XUV300 | 5 stars (16.42) | 4 stars (41.66) | 5 door SUV |
Note: The asterisk (*) indicates that the cars have undergone testing under the new protocol with a maximum score of 34 points for Adult Occupant Protection (AOP).
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Discover why these vehicles rank among the top ten safest cars in India:
1. Tata Harrier
- Price: Rs 15.49 lakh – Rs 24.49 lakh
- Launch Year: 2019
- As a leader in safety, the Tata Harrier comes equipped with six standard airbags, including a driver knee airbag in its higher variants. It also features ISOFIX child seat mounts, an Electronic Stability Program (ESP), and a panic brake alert, marking it as a top pick for those prioritizing safety.
2. Tata Safari
- Price: Rs 16.19 lakh – Rs 25.49 lakh
- Launch Date: October 17, 2023
- The Tata Safari offers a comprehensive safety suite including six airbags, ESP, traction control, ISOFIX mounts, and hill-hold assist, reflecting Tata’s dedication to combining safety with performance and comfort.
3. Volkswagen Virtus
- Price: Rs 11.48 lakh – Rs 19.29 lakh
- Launch Year: March 9, 2022
- A standout in the premium mid-size category, the Volkswagen Virtus sets a high bar for safety with features like six airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), parking assist, a rear-view camera, and hill-hold assist, among others.
4. Skoda Slavia
- Price: Rs 10.89 lakh – Rs 19.12 lakh
- Launch Year: November 2021
- Targeting the premium mid-size sedan segment, the Skoda Slavia ensures passenger safety through six airbags, multi-collision braking, ABS, a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), and Electronic Stability Control.
5. Skoda Kushaq
- Price: Rs 10.89 lakh – Rs 20 lakh
- Launch Year: 2021
- The Skoda Kushaq emphasizes safety with six airbags, rollover protection, hill-hold assist, traction control, ABS, brake disc wiping, and TPMS, highlighting Skoda’s commitment to secure driving.
6. Volkswagen Taigun
- Price: Rs 11.62 lakh – Rs 19.76 lakh
- Launch Year: 2021
- In the competitive mid-size SUV market, the Volkswagen Taigun stands out with six airbags, ISOFIX mounts, multi-collision braking, and hill-hold assist, enhancing its safety profile.
7. Mahindra Scorpio-N
- Price: Rs 12.73 lakh – Rs 24.03 lakh
- Launch Year: 2022
- After rigorous Global NCAP testing, the Mahindra Scorpio-N shines with dual front airbags, ABS, EBD, TPMS, and ISOFIX mounts, securing its place among India’s safest cars.
8. Hyundai Verna
- Price: Rs 10.96 lakh – Rs 17.38 lakh
- Launch Year: 2006
- The Hyundai Verna impresses with a redesign and safety features like six airbags, rear parking sensors, automatic headlamps, and ISOFIX mounts, underscoring Hyundai’s focus on safe driving experiences.
9. Tata Punch
- Price: Rs 5.82 lakh – Rs 9.48 lakh
- Launch Year: 2006
- Gaining popularity in the micro-SUV segment, the Tata Punch offers two airbags, rear parking sensors, 4-channel ABS, and ISOFIX anchorage, committing to a secure and dependable drive.
10. Mahindra XUV300
- Price: Rs 8.42 lakh – Rs 12.38 lakh
- Launch Year: 2019
- The first Mahindra vehicle to earn a 5-star GNCAP safety rating, the XUV300 is designed with a focus on safety, featuring up to six airbags in its higher variants.
In a nation grappling with road safety challenges, the importance of choosing vehicles with high safety standards cannot be overstated. The safest cars in India, as revealed by their Global NCAP ratings, not only offer peace of mind but also demonstrate the automotive industry’s evolving commitment to passenger protection. Whether you prioritize safety, comfort, or performance, the cars on this list cater to a wide range of preferences, ensuring that your drive is as safe as it is enjoyable.
