Safety has taken some big steps forward in India since Global NCAP first started crash-testing Indian cars. Over the years, safety regulations such as mandatory fitment of dual airbags and ABS have seen cars improve from dismal safety ratings in 2014 to the first 5- star rated car arriving in 2018, and now the number is up to five. So far, the safety watchdog has crash-tested over 50 cars under its ‘Safer Cars for India’ programme. We take a look at the 10 safest made-in -India cars, as rated by GNCAP, currently in the market.

10. Tata Altroz ​​– 45.13 points (5 stars)

Currently the safest made-in-India hatchback on sale, the Altroz is Tata’s one of three 5-star rated protection models and has a score of 16.13 out of 17 points for adult occupant protection. Interestingly, while based on the same platform as the Punchthe hatch doesn’t have as high a score as the latter. This is because the Altroz ​​loses out on child occupant protection, with a score of 29 out of 49 points (3 stars), as the backrest of the rear seat unlatched in the test and the three-year-old dummy’s head made contact with the interior.

Standard safety kit across the Altroz ​​range includes two airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, seat-belt reminders for the front seats and ISOFIX child-seat mounts. Higher variants add kit such as height-adjustable front seat belts, a rear parking camera, and front and rear fog lamps.

9. Honda City Gen 4 – 45.43 points (4 stars)

The 4th generation City – which has been on sale since 2014 – continues to be available in our market alongside the new 5th gen model. Given its age, a 4-star rating is a promising sign for those looking to buy this ageing model. The Gen 4 City has a score of 12.03 out of 17 for adult occupant protection, although the body shell and footwell area were rated as unstable and unable to withstand greater loads.

The child protection score was 38.27 out of 49, leading to a 4-star rating. Notably, the City Gen 4, as tested, came with ISOFIX child seat mounts, and protection offered was largely good.

8. Tata Tiago/Tigor – 46.67 points (4 stars)

The duo of Tiago and Tigor received a 4-star safety rating from GNCAP with the launch of the facelifted models in 2020. The Tiago and Tigor have a score of 12.52 out of a maximum 17 (4 stars) in adult occupant protection, while child occupancy score stands at 34.15 out of the 49 possible (3 stars). It is, however, to be noted that, at 64kph – the speed at which GNCAP conducts it crash tests – the body shell of both models was rated as unstable and not capable of withstanding further loading, with a particular mention of the front footwell area.

Standard safety kit across the Tigor and Tiago line-up includes dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, front seatbelt pre-tensioners and rear parking sensors.

7. Tata Tigor EV – 49.20 points (4 stars)

The Tigor EV is the first and, so far, the only made-in-India EV to be crash-tested by GNCAP. The Tigor EV’s test score of 12 out of a maximum 17 for adult occupants and 37.24 out of 49 for child occupants has earned it a 4-star safety rating in both adult and child protection. However, like its ICE counterpart, the bodyshell and footwell area of ​​the Tigor EV were rated as unstable. Standard safety features list on the Tigor EV is identical to that of the petrol- powered Tiago as well.

While slightly lower than its ICE sibling – 12 points as against 12.52 – the score is still commendable, given that the EV has to deal with the additional weight and mass of the underbody battery pack.

6. Toyota Urban Cruiser – 50.20 points (4 stars)

Based on the previous-gen Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, the Urban Cruiser has a 4-star rating for adult protection, with 13.52 points out of a maximum 17. For child protection, it scored a 3-star rating, securing 36.68 points out of 49. The bodyshell was rated ‘stable’ and capable of withstanding further loadings. However, the car recorded only marginal protection for the driver’s knees, and the passenger’s right knee, as they could have an impact with structures behind the dashboard.

The Urban Cruiser comes equipped with dual airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners and seatbelt reminder, ISOFIX anchorages and ABS as standard.

5. Honda Jazz – 50.30 points (4 stars)

Like the City, this generation of Honda Jazz has been around since 2015 and its strong showing in the crash tests is a reassuring sign. The Jazz has 13.89 points out of 17 (4 stars) for adult occupant protection and 31.54 out of 49 points (3 stars) in child occupancy protection. The combined score makes the Jazz the highest-rated hatchback by GNCAP in India, although it is still behind the Altroz ​​in terms of star rating.

The Jazz’s bodyshell was rated stable and capable of withstanding greater loads. The slightly lower 3-star child protection rating was due to a lack of ISOFIX mounting points and limited protection on both child seat tests in some areas.

4. Mahindra Thar – 53.63 points (4 stars)

Mahindra’s second-gen Thar isn’t just a capable off-roader but a safe one as well. The second-gen off-roader scores a notable four stars for both adult and child occupant protection. It scored 12.52 points out of 17 for adult occupant protection and 41.11 points out of a maximum 49 for child occupant protection – the highest score of all cars tested so far – thanks to standard 3-point seatbelt for all passengers and ISOFIX child-seat anchorages. Global NCAP had also subjected the Thar to a side impact crash test , which the 4×4 passed.

In terms of safety, the Thar gets dual airbags, ABS, rear parking sensors and even a roll cage as standard, with the fully-loaded model also packing in ESP.

3. Mahindra XUV300 – 53.86 points (5 stars)

Mahindra’s sub-4m SUV gets a 5-star rating for adult occupancy, scoring 16.42, and four stars for child occupant protection, scoring 37.44. Like other models on this listing, the XUV300 packs in standard kit such as two airbags, ABS with EBD, and rear parking sensors. Higher-spec variants add in even more safety kit such as six airbags, front parking sensors, ESC, a tyre pressure monitoring system and rear parking camera. It also gets seatbelt reminder for all passenger and disc brakes at all four corners.

Updates post the XUV’s launch, though, have seen bits such as the rear centre three-point seat belt and a driver knee airbag being dropped from the equipment list.

2. Tata Punch – 57.34 points (5 stars)

Tata has delivered on its word that safety was a priority with the Punch. The carmaker’s third 5-star-rated car in recent years, the Punch marginally edges out the XUV300 with 16.45 points (5-stars) for adult occupants, which is the highest score achieved by any car in India. Coming to child safety, the Punch earned 40.89 out of a maximum of 49 points, giving it a 4-star score in this category.

As standard, the Punch gets all the basic safety systems, including dual airbags, ABS, front seat belt reminders, rear parking sensors and ISOFIX child seat anchors. The fully-loaded variants add to this with bits such as auto headlamp and wipers, while AMT variants get a low-traction mode to aid over slippery surfaces.

1. Mahindra XUV700 – 57.69 points (5 stars)

The Mahindra XUV700 is the only three-row SUV to get a full 5-star rating for adult occupant protection. Child occupant safety, too, is an impressive four stars. The XUV700 scored 16.03 points out of a possible 17 for adult occupant protection and 41.66 points out of 49 for child occupant protection. This gives it the maximum combined score of any made-in-India vehicle tested by GNCAP so far in our market

Mahindra has packed in a lot of safety tech into the XUV700, and while lower variants get only the basics, the fully loaded variants get all the bells and whistles, including seven airbags and advanced driver aids like autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and more .

Why does the Tata Nexon not feature in this list?

While the Nexon is one of only five models currently on sale to have received a 5-star safety rating from GNCAP, its combined score of 41.06 drops it below a few other models that have a 4-star rating but a higher overall score.

The Nexon was, in fact, the first made-in-India car to be awarded a full 5-star safety rating by global NCAP. Tata’s compact SUV was initially awarded a 4-star rating, with the carmaker upgrading the model post the results and sending it back for a second round where it achieved all 5 stars for adult occupancy or 16.06 points out of 17. Meanwhile, it has a score of 25 out of 49 for child occupancy protection.

Notably, the Nexon crash tested by GNCAP was the pre-facelift model. The version currently on sale was further upgraded to meet pedestrian protection norms.

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