The Indian auto sector has made tremendous strides in safety. Long gone are the days when luxury cars featured every safety feature while the less costly models had none at all.
Based on Bharat NCAP crash safety testing, we have listed the top five safest and most affordable cars in India.
Skoda Kylaq
The Kylaq, Skoda's first sub-compact SUV, received a 5-star certification for both adult and kid passengers, the highest grade possible in the Bharat NCAP safety testing.
The small SUV scored 15.04 out of 16.00 in the Frontal Offset Deformable Barrier test and 15.84 out of 16.00 in the Side Movable Deformable Barrier test.
The Skoda SUV received a remarkable 92% rating of 45.00 out of 49.00. The Skoda SUV lost points in the Vehicle evaluation, receiving a score of 9.00 out of 13.00, although it received full scores in the Dynamic (24) and CRS installation (12) categories for Child Occupant Protection.
Six airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control, electronic brake distribution, brake disc wiping, rollover protection, motor slip regulation, electronic differential lock, passenger airbag deactivation, multi-collision braking, ISOFIX seats, and many more safety features are standard on the Kylaq.
Mahindra 3X0
The 3X0, Mahindra's cheapest SUV, received a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety certification. The 3X0's Adult Occupant Protection score was 29.36 out of 32.
The Mahindra small SUV received 13.36 out of 16.00 in the Frontal Offset Deformable Barrier test and an even higher score of 16.00 out of 16.00 in the Side Movable Deformable Barrier test. It received full points for the Dynamic (24) and CRS installation (12) in Child Occupant Protection, 43.00 out of 49.00, and 7.00 out of 13.00 in the Vehicle evaluation.
Level 2 ADAS, a 360-degree camera, electronic stability control, six airbags, front and rear parking sensors, a tire pressure monitoring system, all four disc brakes, and many more safety features are standard on the 3X0.
Tata Nexon
According to Bharat NCAP and Global NCAP, the Nexon is the first car from India to earn a 5-star safety rating.
For adult occupant protection, the Tata small SUV received a score of 29.41 out of 32.00, while for child occupant protection, it received a score of 43.83 out of 49.00.
The Nexon received scores of 14.65 out of 16.00 on the Frontal Offset Deformable Barrier Test and 14.76 out of 16.00 on the Side Movable Deformable Barrier Test for Adult Occupant Protection.
It obtained 22.83 out of 24.00 in the dynamic score for child occupant protection, 12.00 out of 12.00 in the CRS installation score, and 09.00 out of 13.00 in the vehicle assessment score.
Six airbags, the Electronic Stability Program (ESP), ISOFIX anchorages, seatbelt reminders, reverse parking sensors, and central locking are all standard on the Nexon.
Citroen Basalt
The Basalt is the first Citroen car built in India to pass the Bharat NCAP crash test. An overall rating of 4 stars was given to it.
For adult occupant protection, the Citroen Coupe SUV received a score of 26.19 out of 32.00, while for child occupant protection, it received a score of 35.90 out of 49.00. It scored 10.19 out of 16.00 in the Frontal Offset Deformable Barrier Test and 16 out of 16.00 in the Side Movable Deformable Barrier Test for Adult Occupant Protection.
The Basalt scored 9.90 out of 24.00 in the dynamic category for child occupant protection, 12.00 out of 12.00 for CRS installation, and 04.00 out of 13.00 for vehicle evaluation.
Among its many features are hill hold control, an electronic stability program, a rear parking camera, and six airbags.
Punch EV
With a 5-star safety rating from Bharat NCAP, the Tata Punch EV is the most reasonably priced. In the adult occupant protection category, it received 31.46 out of 32.00, while in the child occupant protection category, it received 45.00 out of 49.00.
According to the test findings, the Punch EV received scores of 15.71 and 15.74 out of 16.00 in the Frontal Offset Deformable Barrier Test and Side Movable Deformable Barrier Test, respectively.
The Punch EV scored 24.00 out of 24.00 in dynamic, 12.00 out of 12.00 in CRS installation, and 09.00 out of 13.00 in vehicle evaluation for child occupant protection.
A 360-degree camera, a blind spot view monitor, an electronic parking brake, electronic stability control (ESC), hill-descent control, all four disc brakes, and six airbags are standard on the Punch EV.
Conclusion
The increasing emphasis on vehicle safety in India has led to the development of safer and more affordable cars. The Bharat NCAP crash test ratings have highlighted several budget-friendly options that provide top-tier safety features without compromising affordability.
Models like the Skoda Kylaq, Mahindra 3X0, Tata Nexon, Citroen Basalt, and Tata Punch EV have proven their reliability by securing impressive scores in crash tests.
With advanced safety technologies such as multiple airbags, electronic stability control, ADAS, and ISOFIX anchors becoming standard in these vehicles, consumers now have access to well-protected and value-for-money options.
As safety becomes a crucial factor in car buying decisions, the Indian automobile industry continues to move in the right direction, ensuring that budget-conscious buyers no longer have to compromise on security.
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