Look for Car Safety features while buying a New Car

Accidents are an all-too-common occurrence, especially for drivers due to the immense traffic on Indian roads and the failure to adhere to rules; these mishaps often end in fatalities or life-altering injuries.

While driving safely and following all traffic rules is integral in avoiding such incidents, the car you drive also determines the result when such accidents are unavoidable.

Therefore, prioritising the selection of the safest cars in India is crucial for your well-being. 

When buying a car in India, securing car insurance is also crucial as it is mandatory by the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988. It provides financial protection against accidents, theft, and damages, safeguarding your investment. Having car insurance saves you from hefty traffic fines, license suspension, and even legal trouble.

But how do you quantify safety in cars?

Well, it can be done quickly thanks to a specific rating system known as NCAP or New Car Assessment Program.

The New Car Assessment Program, or NCAP, was born in the USA in 1978. Before getting into the specifics of grading a vehicle on its safety, you must know how such tests are performed.

The Global NCAP test looks to simulate the head-on collision between two cars. The vehicle to be tested maintains a speed of 64 km per hour and is driven into a deformable wall, which is similar in weight to the tested model.

However, Indian authorities follow a slightly different regulation when it comes to automobile crash testing.

Rather than maintaining a 64kmph speed, the front offset test in India is restricted to a speed of just 56kmph, which means some cars may get ranked high in safety as per the Indian Government’s safety testing but still fail to grade high in the NCAP test

What are the different scores under NCAP?

NCAP scale is divided into star ratings, i.e., the safest vehicles are awarded 5 stars, while unsafe vehicles are generally scored lower. Two specific categories are considered when rating a car’s safety:

• Adult Occupant Protection
• Child Occupant Protection 

After knowing all such factors, it is important to gauge which type of car is the safest car in India presently. This would allow you to optimise protection when buying such a vehicle.

With that in mind, here are the 10 safest cars in India.

1. Tata Safari | Global NCAP Rating 5 Stars

Source: tatamotors

Tata vehicles have always impressed when it comes to the safety department, and the Safari facelifts tops the list. This car scored a solid 5-star adult and child protection rating in the global NCAP crash test.

• Ex-showroom pricing: ₹16.19 - ₹25.49 lakh*
• Seating capacity: 7
• Mileage: 14.5 to 16.3 kmpl
• Fuel type: Diesel
• Body type: SUV
• Engine displacement: 1956 cc 
• Transmission: Manual/Automatic
• Ground clearance: 200 mm
• Airbags: 7

Safety features:

The Tata Safari boasts a comprehensive safety package, offering electronic stability control (ESC), hill assist, a 360-degree camera, a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), etc.

2. Tata Harrier | Global NCAP Rating 5 Stars

Source: cardekho

Automatic transmission, 445L boot space and ARAI mileage of 16.8 kmpl are just some of the attractive features of this SUV, whose primary draw is the 5-star NCAP rating.

• Ex-showroom pricing: ₹15.49 - ₹26.44 lakh*
• Seating capacity: 5
• Mileage: 16.8 kmpl
• Fuel type: Diesel
  
• Body type: SUV
• Engine displacement: 1956 cc 
• Transmission: Automatic
• Airbags: 7 

Safety features:

The new Tata Harrier features anti-lock braking system, central locking, power door locks, child safety locks, electronic brakeforce distribution, seat belt warning, door ajar warning and tyre pressure monitor.

Other features include engine immobiliser, electronic stability control, rear camera, anti-theft device, anti-pinch power windows, speed alert, speed sensing auto door lock, and knee airbags.

Advanced Safety Features: ISOFIX child seat mounts, hill assist, hill descent control, impact sensing, auto door unlock.

3. Volkswagen Virtus | Global NCAP Rating 4 Stars

Source: volkswagen

The 3^rd safest car in this list, the Volkswagen Virtus, can generate a maximum power of 147.51bhp. The engine can also exert a torque of up to 250Nm.

• Ex-showroom pricing: ₹16.19 - ₹25.49 lakh*
• Seating capacity: 5
• Mileage: 18.12 - 20.8 kmpl
  
• Fuel type: Petrol
• Body type: Sedan
• Engine displacement: 999 cc - 1498 cc
• Transmission: Manual/Automatic
  
• Airbags: 6

Safety features:

On the safety front, the VW Virtus gets electronic stability control (ESC), advanced features like ISOFIX child seat mounts, hill hold assist, and speed sensing auto door lock.

4. Skoda Slavia | Global NCAP Rating 5 Stars

Source: skoda

Skoda Slavia is not only one of the safest cars in India but also one of the most favourite Sedans. The car’s mileage is 19.47 kmpl, and comes with a powerful engine of up to 147.52 bhp. 

• Ex-showroom pricing: ₹10.89 - ₹19.12 lakh*
  
• Seating capacity: 5
  
• Mileage: 18.07 - 19.47 kmpl
  
• Fuel type: Petrol
  
• Body type: Sedan
  
• Engine displacement: 1498 cc 
  
• Transmission: Manual/Automatic
  
• Ground clearance: 179 mm
  
• Airbags: 6 

Safety features:

The Skoda Slavia prioritises passenger safety with a suite of features, including a max of 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, ISOFIX child seat anchorages, hill-hold assist, speed sensing auto door lock, etc.

5. Skoda Kushaq | Global NCAP Rating 5 Stars

Source: skoda

Another 5-star vehicle from Skoda, Skoda Kushaq, sports a powerful 1.5 TSI petrol engine. It is a 5-seater 4-cylinder car and has a length of 4225 mm. 

• Ex-showroom pricing: ₹10.89 - ₹20.01 lakh*
  
• Seating capacity: 5
  
• Mileage: 14.5 to 16.3 kmpl
  
• Fuel type: Petrol
  
• Body type: SUV
  
• Engine displacement: 1498 cc 
  
• Transmission: Manual/Automatic
  
• Ground clearance: 188 mm
  
• Airbags: 6 

Safety features:

The Skoda Kushaq features dual front airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), ABS with EBD, seatbelt reminder, tyre pressure monitor, ISOFIX child seat mounts, a rear-view camera, etc.

6. Volkswagen Taigun | Global NCAP Rating 5 Stars

Source: indianautosblog

If you are looking to invest specifically in a Volkswagen vehicle, the Taigun tops the Global NCAP rating after their Virtus segment. It scored 29.64 out of 34 and 42 out of 49 in the adult and child occupancy ratings of NCAP.

• Ex-showroom pricing: ₹11.62 - ₹19.76 lakh*
  
• Seating capacity: 5
• Mileage: 17.88 - 20.08 kmpl
  
• Fuel type: Petrol
• Body type: SUV
  
• Engine displacement: 999 cc - 1498 cc
• Transmission: Automatic
  
• Ground clearance: 188 mm
• Airbags: 6 

Safety features:

The Volkswagen Taigun guarantees passenger safety with six airbags, standard seatbelt reminders for all occupants, electronic stability control (ESC), TPMS, and a rear-view camera among other.

7. Mahindra Scorpio N | Global NCAP Rating 5 Stars

Source: auto.mahindra

If you are in the market for the safest cars in India, especially an SUV, the Mahindra Scorpio N is a perfect choice. Safety features include up to six airbags, a tyre pressure monitoring system, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, etc. 

• Ex-showroom pricing: ₹13.26 - ₹24.54 lakh*
• Seating capacity: 6,7
• Mileage: 16.5 kmpl for diesel, 15 kmpl for petrol
  
• Fuel type: Diesel/Petrol
• Body type: SUV
• Engine displacement: Diesel engine 2198 cc, petrol engine 1997 cc
• Transmission: Automatic
  
• Ground clearance: 187 mm

Safety features:

The Mahindra Scorpio N prioritises safety with features including ABS with EBD, TPMS, and electronic stability control (ESC), ISOFIX child seat mounts and hill assist control.

8. Hyundai Verna | Global NCAP Rating 5 Stars

Source: businesstoday

Hyundai Verna is available in 14 variants - the base model is EX, and the top model is SX Opt Turbo DCT DT. The engine can produce around 157.57 bhp of power and up to 253 Nm of torque. 

• Ex-showroom pricing: ₹10.90 - ₹17.38 lakh
  
• Seating capacity: 5
• Mileage: 20.6 kmpl
  
• Fuel type: Petrol
• Body type: Sedan
  
• Engine displacement: 1482 cc 
• Transmission: Automatic
  
• Ground clearance: 200 mm
• Airbags: 6 

Safety features:

The Hyundai Verna comes standard ISOFIX child seat anchorages, and ABS with EBD. In higher trims, it adds ESC, front parking sensors, all-wheel disc brakes, TPMS, and advanced ADAS.

The features also include forward-collision warning, blind-spot alert, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.

9. Tata Altroz | Global NCAP Rating 4 Stars

Source: cardekho

This hatchback is another 5-star rated car, which can produce a peak power of 88.77bhp. Also, its engine can exert an optimal torque of 200Nm. It is a diesel-fuelled model with a manual transmission option only.

• Ex-showroom pricing: ₹6.60 - ₹10.74 lakh*
• Seating capacity: 5
• Mileage: 18.05 - 23.64 kmpl
• Fuel type: Petrol/Diesel
• Body type: Hatchback
• Engine displacement: 1198 cc - 1497 cc 
• Transmission: Manual/Automatic
• Ground clearance: 165mm 

Safety features:

The Altroz boasts features like, EBD, adjustable seats, engine check warning, driver and passenger airbags, centrally mounted fuel tanks, anti-lock braking system, etc.

10. Tata Nexon | Global NCAP Rating 4 Stars

Source: carwale

Tata Nexon is not only one of the safest cars in India but also one of the most favourite SUVs. At 21.5kmpl, the car’s mileage is impressive, considering the size and weight class of the vehicle.

The maximum power specification for this vehicle is 108.5bhp and a torque rating of 260Nm.

• Ex-showroom pricing: ₹8.10 - ₹15.50 lakh*
  
• Seating capacity: 5
• Mileage: 21.5kmpl
  
• Fuel type: Diesel/Petrol
• Body type: SUV
  
• Engine displacement: 1199 cc - 1497 cc
• Transmission: Automatic
  
• Ground clearance: 208 mm

Safety features:

The Tata Nexon offers features, including power door locks, traction control, anti-theft alarm, brake assist, electronic stability control, speed-sensing auto door lock, driver and passenger airbags.

Before you purchase a vehicle, consider whether it sports the following safety features:

• Dual airbags
• Corner traction control
• ABS with EBD
• Seatbelt pretensioners
• Impact sensing door locks
• Rear parking sensors

Several other specifications also ensure protection of the vehicle and its occupants.

As per the 'Road Accidents in India 2021', there were 4 lakh unfortunate incidences of road accidents during 2021, which claimed 1.5 lakh lives and caused injuries to 3.8 lakh people. (1)

Over-speeding was the primary cause of a majority of accidents. While you must follow traffic rules whenever you drive for your safety and those of others, rigorous NCAP testing also encourages manufacturers to follow stringent guidelines when mass-producing specific models.

Keeping this primary factor in mind, we have prepared a list of the top safest cars in India. These days, car manufacturers focus on incorporating features like traction control, anti-lock braking systems, child safety locks, etc., to ensure safety. Make sure to go through the specifications list before purchasing. These advanced features ensure optimal safety. 

So go and have a safe ride!

*The information provided in this article regarding the 10 safest cars in India, including their ex-showroom prices, has been sourced from official car company websites and reputable aggregators.  

While we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data, we advise readers to verify the details with the respective car manufacturers or authorized dealer.