Safest cars in India with best Global NCAP rating in 2024

January 05, 2024: Roads are notoriously dangerous, with a staggering 9.5 out of every 1 lakh people succumbing to fatal incidents in 2022, as per the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. This alarming statistic underscores the critical importance of selecting vehicles that offer maximum safety. In this context, the safest cars in India, as rated by the Global NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme), stand out as beacons of hope and security for Indian consumers.

Global NCAP Ratings: Deciphering the Benchmark of Vehicle Safety

The Global NCAP safety test is a rigorous assessment involving a front offset crash simulation at a speed of 50 kmph. This test is pivotal in determining the safety ratings of vehicles, focusing on both adult and child occupant protection. The methodology involves crash test dummies that mimic a standard family trip, with two adults in the front and two children in the rear. The scoring system, which allocates points based on the protection levels offered to both adult and child occupants, is a definitive guide to understanding a vehicle’s safety prowess.

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Unveiling the Top Ten Safest Cars in India

Here, we delve into the top ten safest cars in India, ranked by their Global NCAP safety ratings:

1. Tata Harrier
   • GNCAP Rating- Adult Occupant: 5 stars (33.05/34)
   • GNCAP Rating- Child Occupant: 5 stars (45.00/49)
   • Body Type: 5 door SUV
   • Price Range: Rs 15.49 lakh to Rs 24.49 lakh
   • Safety Features: Six airbags, driver knee airbag, ISOFIX child seat mounts, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), panic brake alert.
2. Tata Safari
   • GNCAP Rating- Adult Occupant: 5 stars (33.05/34)
   • GNCAP Rating- Child Occupant: 5 stars (45.00/49)
   • Body Type: 5 door SUV
   • Price Range: Rs 16.19 lakh to Rs 25.49 lakh
   • Safety Features: Six airbags, ESP, traction control, ISOFIX child seat mounts, hill-hold assist.
3. Volkswagen Virtus
   • GNCAP Rating- Adult Occupant: 5 stars (29.71/34)
   • GNCAP Rating- Child Occupant: 5 stars (42.00/49)
   • Body Type: 5 door sedan
   • Price Range: Rs 11.48 lakh to Rs 19.29 lakh
   • Safety Features: Six airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), park distance control, rear-view camera, hill-hold assist, front seatbelt reminder, multi-collision brakes.
4. Skoda Slavia
   • GNCAP Rating- Adult Occupant: 5 stars (29.71/34)
   • GNCAP Rating- Child Occupant: 5 stars (42.00/49)
   • Body Type: 5 door sedan
   • Price Range: Rs 10.89 lakh to Rs 19.12 lakh
   • Safety Features: Six airbags, ABS, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Electronic Stability Control, multi-collision braking.
5. Skoda Kushaq
   • GNCAP Rating- Adult Occupant: 5 stars (29.64/34)
   • GNCAP Rating- Child Occupant: 5 stars (42.00/49)
   • Body Type: 5 door SUV
   • Price Range: Rs 10.89 lakh to Rs 20 lakh
   • Safety Features: Six airbags, rollover protection, Hill-hold assist, traction control, ABS, brake disc wiping, TPMS.
6. Volkswagen Taigun
   • GNCAP Rating- Adult Occupant: 5 stars (29.64/34)
   • GNCAP Rating- Child Occupant: 5 stars (42.00/49)
   • Body Type: 5 door SUV
   • Price Range: Rs 11.62 lakh to Rs 19.76 lakh
   • Safety Features: Six airbags, ISOFIX child safety mounts, multi-collision braking, hill-hold assist.
7. Mahindra Scorpio-N
   • GNCAP Rating- Adult Occupant: 5 stars (29.25/34)
   • GNCAP Rating- Child Occupant: 3 stars (28.93/49)
   • Body Type: 5 door SUV
   • Price Range: Rs 12.73 lakh to Rs 24.03 lakh
   • Safety Features: Dual front airbags, ABS, EBD (Electronic brakeforce distribution), TPMS, ISOFIX child seat mounts.
8. Hyundai Verna
   • GNCAP Rating- Adult Occupant: 5 stars (28.18/34)
   • GNCAP Rating- Child Occupant: 5 stars (42.00/49)
   • Body Type: 5 door sedan
   • Price Range: Rs 10.96 lakh to Rs 17.38 lakh
   • Safety Features: Six airbags, rear parking sensor, automatic headlamps, ISOFIX child seat mounts.
9. Tata Punch
   • GNCAP Rating- Adult Occupant: 5 stars (16.45)
   • GNCAP Rating- Child Occupant: 4 stars (40.89/49)
   • Body Type: 5 door SUV
   • Price Range: Rs 5.82 lakh to Rs 9.48 lakh
   • Safety Features: Two airbags, rear parking sensors, 4-channel ABS, ISOFIX anchorage.
10. Mahindra XUV300
    • GNCAP Rating- Adult Occupant: 5 stars (16.42)
    • GNCAP Rating- Child Occupant: 4 stars (41.66/49)
    • Body Type: 5 door SUV
    • Price Range: Rs 8.42 lakh to Rs 12.38 lakh
    • Safety Features: Six airbags in the top variant, robust build for enhanced safety.

Understanding the Safety Features of the Top-Ranked Vehicles

Each vehicle on this list boasts an array of safety features, reflecting the manufacturers’ commitment to prioritizing safety. For instance:

Skoda Slavia: This premium mid-size sedan includes essential safety features like six airbags, ABS, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Electronic Stability Control, and multi-collision braking, ensuring passenger safety at its core.

Skoda Kushaq: Prioritizing safety, the Skoda Kushaq comes with features such as six airbags, rollover protection, Hill-hold assist, traction control, ABS, brake disc wiping, and TPMS, highlighting Skoda’s commitment to a secure driving experience.

Volkswagen Taigun: A key player in the mid-size SUV segment, the Taigun reinforces its safety credentials with advanced features like six airbags, ISOFIX child safety mounts, multi-collision braking, hill-hold assist, and more.

Mahindra Scorpio-N: After rigorous testing under new protocols by Global NCAP, it stands out with standard safety features like dual front airbags, ABS, EBD (Electronic brakeforce distribution), TPMS, and ISOFIX child seat mounts, earning its place among India’s safest cars.

Hyundai Verna: The redesigned Hyundai Verna not only boasts a striking exterior but also emphasizes safety with features like six airbags, rear parking sensors, automatic headlamps, ISOFIX child seat mounts, and more, reflecting Hyundai’s focus on secure driving experiences.

Tata Punch: As an entry-level SUV, the Tata Punch offers safety features including two airbags, rear parking sensors, 4-channel ABS, and ISOFIX anchorage for child occupant protection, reinforcing its commitment to safety in the micro-SUV segment.

Mahindra XUV300: Achieving a 5-star safety rating from GNCAP, this compact SUV focuses on safety with notable features such as six airbags in the top variant, showcasing Mahindra’s dedication to vehicle safety standards.

Tata Harrier: The Harrier includes six airbags, a driver knee airbag in higher variants, ISOFIX child seat mounts, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), and a panic brake alert, ensuring robust protection for all occupants.

Tata Safari: The Safari features six airbags, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), traction control, hill-hold assist, and ISOFIX child seat mounts, making it a safe and stable vehicle for diverse driving conditions.

Volkswagen Virtus: The Virtus is equipped with six airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), park distance control, a rear-view camera, hill-hold assist, front seatbelt reminder, and multi-collision brakes, offering a comprehensive safety package in the premium sedan segment.

Final Thoughts

The safest cars in India, as highlighted by their Global NCAP ratings, offer a blend of advanced safety features and robust build quality. In a country grappling with high road accident rates, these vehicles emerge not just as means of transportation, but as guardians of safety on the unpredictable roads of India. By choosing any of these top-rated cars, consumers are not just investing in a vehicle but in the well-being and safety of themselves and their loved ones.