Mumbai, Oct 19: Buying new cars this Diwali or Dhanteras! Ace car makers of India and the globe are going to launch to showcasing a number of new model cars ahead of the Diwali and Dhanteras 2024.
Trendy car users, on the other hand have also awaited eagerly for the festivity of light, to exchange their cars with a newer, long cherished one, especially compatible with modern features with trending innovations.
However, the passionate and veteran car users are keen for searching their dream cars based on Global NCAP’s latest crash safety standards and Bharat NCAP measures.
This list features the top 10 cars based on Global NCAP’s latest crash safety standards, along with the vehicles tested so far by Bharat NCAP.
Though not many vehicles have been tested under Global NCAP’s new norms, several older models still hold high safety ratings.
Among other premier car manufacturers, the Tata Motors leads in safety, with models like the Safari, Harrier, and Nexon all receiving 5-star ratings in the new crash tests.
These vehicles are the only ones to exceed 30 points in the Adult Occupant Safety Rating category due to its solidity in its structure and inbuilt safety measures.
Skoda and Volkswagen follow closely with their MQB A0 IN platform models—Kushaq and Taigun SUVs, along with the Virtus and Slavia sedans—also receiving 5-star ratings.
A surprising entry is the Hyundai Verna, which achieved a 5-star crash rating, marking a significant improvement for Hyundai, a brand not previously known for its safety ratings.
Mahindra’s Scorpio N also performed well, earning 5 stars for adult occupant protection and 3 stars for child safety.
The Kia Carens stands out for its 5-star child occupant safety rating, though it only received 3 stars for adult occupant protection.
Other vehicles like the Tata Punch, Altroz, Mahindra XUV300 (now XUV3XO), and XUV700 have excelled in crash tests under older GNCAP standards, achieving 5-star ratings.
Notably, the Mahindra Thar (3-door), Tata Tiago, Tigor, Renault Kiger, Triber, and Nissan Magnite earned respectable 4-star ratings under the previous norms.
From amomg the latest version cars embedded in modern features and innovations,the newly established Bharat NCAP has tested seven vehicles so far.
These include Tata Motors' Safari/Harrier, Punch EV, Nexon EV, Nexon ICE, Curvv EV, and Curvv ICE, as well as the recently tested Citroën Basalt.
Tata’s models passed with flying colours, earning 5-star ratings for both adult and child occupant safety.
The crash test results for the Nexon ICE, Curvv ICE, and Curvv EV were released recently.
A surprising outcome came from the Citroën Basalt, which earned 4 stars for both adult and child safety.
Initially expected to perform similarly to the eC3’s 0-star rating from Global NCAP, the Basalt exceeded expectations.
Upcoming results from Bharat NCAP include the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and the facelifted Nissan Magnite, which have reportedly undergone crash testing.
The list highlights the growing focus on safety in India’s automotive market, with many manufacturers stepping up to meet higher safety standards as consumers become more aware of the importance of vehicle safety.
The Bharat NCAP has been diligently assessing the safety of Indian-made SUVs, including electric vehicles (EVs). Tata Motors has emerged as a leader, with its models dominating the top five safest SUVs list.
Since December last year, Bharat NCAP had evaluated eight SUVs, revealing safety ratings for three Tata models and one from Citroen. These tests focus on crash protection for both adult and child occupants.
The Tata Punch EV stands out as the safest SUV in India, achieving a five-star safety rating. It scored 31.46 out of 32 for adult occupant protection and 45 out of 49 for child occupant protection. This compact SUV features six airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), rear parking sensors, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Hill Hold and Descent Controls, an Electronic Parking Brake, and Blind Spot Monitoring.
The Tata Curvv EV, also received a 5-star safety rating. It scored slightly lower than the Punch EV with 30.81 in adult occupant protection and 44.83 in child occupant protection. The Curvv EV offers superior safety features such as six airbags, ABS with EBD, reverse parking sensors and camera, seat belt reminders, speed alert system, all-wheel disc brakes, Electric Parking Brake with auto-hold, ADAS technology, and a 360-degree camera.
Similarly, the Tata Harrier is another model that earned a five-star safety rating. Competing against the MG Hector and Hyundai Creta, it scored 30.08 in adult occupant protection and 44.54 in child occupant protection tests. Built on the OMEGA-ARC platform derived from Land Rover's D8 platform, it includes six airbags, ESC, seat belt reminders, ADAS technology, a 360-degree camera, blind spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors and camera.
Tata Safari Sharing its platform with the Harrier is the Tata Safari which also achieved a 5-star rating with identical scores for both adult and child occupant protection tests. Competing with SUVs like the Mahindra XUV700 and Jeep Meridian, it offers similar safety features to the Harrier.
Next to it, is the Tata Nexon EV which secured a 5-star safety rating with scores of 29.86 in adult occupant protection and 44.95 in child occupant protection tests.
The Nexon EV comes equipped with six airbags, ESC, rear parking camera and sensors, a 360-degree camera, TPMS, and Hill Assist among other features.
