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.

Buying the safest cars in India is, therefore, one of the crucial factors one must follow when choosing a vehicle.

But, how do you quantify safety in cars?

Well, it can be done easily 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 Nexon - NCAP Rating 5 Stars

Automatic transmission, 350L boot space and ARAI mileage of 21.5kmpl are just some of the attractive features of this SUV, whose primary draw is the 5 star NCAP rating. Max power specification for this vehicle is 108.5bhp and a torque rating of 260Nm.

• Ex-showroom pricing: Starts from Rs.7.09 lakhs
• Seating capacity: 5
• Engine displacement: 1199cc-1497cc
• Safety features: Power door locks, traction control, anti-theft alarm, brake assist, electronic stability control, speed-sensing auto door lock, driver and passenger airbags

2. Tata Altroz - NCAP Rating 5 Stars

Another 5-star rated car, this hatchback 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: Starts from Rs.5.69 lakhs
• Seating capacity: 5
• Engine displacement: 1497cc
• Safety features: EBD, adjustable seats, engine check warning, driver and passenger airbags, centrally mounted fuel tanks, anti-lock braking system,etc.

3. Mahindra XUV 300 - NCAP Rating 5 Stars

If you are in the market for the safest cars in India, especially an SUV, the Mahindra XUV is a perfect choice. Automatic transmission, 259L boot space, 115bhp of power generating capability and 300Nm of power are some of the primary USPs of the vehicle, apart from its high NCAP rating.

• Ex-showroom pricing: Starts from Rs.7.95 lakhs
• Seating capacity: 5
• Engine displacement: 1197cc-1497cc
• Safety features: Anti-lock braking system, side impact beams, front-impact beams, child safety locks, central locking

4. Mahindra Marazzo - NCAP Rating 4 Stars

With an ARAI mileage of 17.32kmpl, this particular model is perfect for extended families. The engine can produce around 121PS power and up to 300Nm of torque. This MUV also sports 190L boot space, which is highly useful when storing luggage.

• Ex-showroom pricing: Starts from Rs.11.64 lakhs
• Seating capacity: 8
• Engine displacement: 1497cc
• Safety features: Anti-theft alarm, crash sensor, EBD, door ajar warning, etc.

5. Volkswagen Polo - NCAP Rating 4 Stars

The car is available in three automatic transmission options and four manual transmission models. Depending on the one you choose, the maximum power generated can range up to 108.62bhp. The engine can also exert a torque of up to 175Nm.

• Ex-showroom pricing: Starts from 6.16 lakhs
• Seating capacity: 5
• Engine displacement: 999cc
• Safety features: Power door locks, central locking, engine immobiliser, electronic stability control, anti-lock braking system, etc.

6. Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza - NCAP Rating 4 Stars

If you are looking to invest specifically in  a Maruti Suzuki vehicle, few can come close to the safety rating of the Vitara Brezza SUV. It scored 12.51 out of 17 and 17.93 out of 49 in the adult and child occupancy ratings of NCAP.

• Ex-showroom pricing: Starts from Rs.7.39 lakhs
• Seating capacity: 5
• Engine displacement: 1462cc
• Safety features: Two airbags, EBD, central locking, side impact beams, etc.

7. Tata Tiago - NCAP Rating 4 Stars

Tata vehicles have always impressed when it comes to the safety department, and the Tiago hatchback is no different in this regard. Scoring a solid 4 stars out of 5 is a challenging endeavour for any vehicle, but Tata Tiago manages to do it with ease. Its engine can produce up to 84bhp of power, making it an ideal commuter option.

• Ex-showroom pricing: Starts from Rs.4.85 lakhs
• Seating capacity: 5
• Engine displacement: 1199cc
• Safety features: Power door locks, passenger airbags, anti-lock braking system, crash sensor, etc.

8. Renault Duster – NCAP Rating 3 Stars

The Renault Duster is not only one of the safest cars in India, but also one of the most favourite SUVs. With 16.42kmpl, the car’s mileage is impressive, considering the size and weight class of the vehicle. Expect the power of up to 153.86bhp from this car’s engine.

• Ex-showroom pricing: Starts from Rs.9.57 lakhs
• Seating capacity: 5
• Engine displacement: 1330cc-1498cc
• Safety features: Passenger and driver airbags, child-safety locks, brake assist, etc.

9. Maruti Suzuki Ertiga - NCAP Rating 3 Stars

This particular vehicle is fitted with a powerful engine, capable of producing up to 103.26bhp of power.

• Ex-showroom pricing: Starts from Rs.7.69 lakhs 
• Seating capacity: 7
• Engine displacement: 1462cc
• Safety features: Anti-theft alarm, driver and passenger airbags, power door locks, side impact beams, EBD, electronic stability, etc.

10. Ford Aspire - NCAP Rating 3 Stars

The 3-star overall safety rating indicates that this vehicle from Ford is equipped to keep the driver and passenger relatively safe in accidents. Apart from this, the car also sports an engine, which can produce power of up to 98bhp and generate a torque of around 215Nm during peak performance. At 24.4kmpl, the mileage specification for this vehicle is pretty standard as well.

• Ex-showroom pricing: Starts from Rs.7.27 lakhs
• Seating capacity: 5
• Engine displacement: 1499cc
• Safety features: Anti-lock braking system, anti-theft alarm, 6 airbags, EBD, Engine check warning, etc.

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 2019 National Crime Records Bureau, more than 437000 road accidents occurred in India in that particular year. These accidents collectively led to more than 1.5 lakhs fatalities (1)

Over-speeding was the primary cause for a majority of accidents. While you need to 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 certain models.

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

So go and have a safe ride!