Safety has become a paramount concern for Indian car buyers. This shift in priorities is evident as consumers now consider safety features and crash ratings alongside aesthetics and performance. The Bharat NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme) has been instrumental in assessing the safety of various SUVs through its crash test program. Recognizing the significance of safety, this article highlights five of the safest SUVs available in India. These SUVs have all received a 5-star rating in the Bharat NCAP crash tests. Let’s delve into the details.
Mahindra XEV 9e leads the list, scoring the highest points in the tests. It achieved 32 out of 32 for adult safety and 45 out of 49 for child safety, resulting in a total score of 77 out of 81. Safety features include seven airbags, ABS with EBD, all-wheel disc brakes, a 360-degree camera system, blind-view monitor, lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, and Level 2 ADAS features like adaptive cruise control. The ex-showroom price of the Mahindra XEV 9e starts at ₹21.90 lakh and goes up to ₹31.25 lakh, varying based on the variant.
Next in line is the Mahindra BE 6, another model from Mahindra’s Born Electric range, which secured a total of 76.97 points out of 81 in safety testing. It scored 31.97 out of 32 for adult safety and 45 out of 49 for child safety. Safety features encompass seven airbags, ABS with EBD, a 360-degree camera system, hill-hold assist, ISOFIX child seat mounts, adaptive cruise control, and Level 2 ADAS. The ex-showroom price for this car starts at ₹18.90 lakh and can reach up to ₹27.79 lakh for the top-end variant, with prices potentially varying by location.
The Tata Punch EV is another SUV boasting a 5-star rating, with a total score of 76.46 out of 81. It earned 31.46/32 for adult safety and 45/49 for child safety, performing comparably to larger and more expensive SUVs. Safety features include six airbags, hill-start assist, a 360-degree camera, ABS with EBD, all-wheel disc brakes, and hill-hold control. The Tata Punch EV is available at a starting price of ₹9.99 lakh, with the top model priced at ₹14.44 lakh.
Mahindra Thar Roxx is the first body-on-frame SUV to achieve a 5-star rating in the Bharat NCAP. It scored 31.09/32 for adult safety and 45/49 for child safety. It is equipped with six airbags, electronic stability control, a 360-degree camera, and Level-2 ADAS. The car’s price starts at ₹12.99 lakh and goes up to ₹23.39 lakh for the top model.
Maruti Victoris has received full 5-star ratings in both Global NCAP and Bharat NCAP testing. In Global NCAP, it scored 33.72/34 for adult safety and 41/49 for child safety, while in Bharat NCAP, it scored 31.66/32 and 43/49, respectively. Safety features include six airbags, ABS with EBD, ESC, ISOFIX mounts, 3-point seatbelts for all seats, hill-hold assist, traction control, and a 360-degree camera. The Maruti Victoris’ base smart hybrid manual variant starts at ₹10,49,900, with the top-end strong hybrid model priced at ₹19,98,900. The CNG variant starts at ₹11,49,900.
