For Indian car buyers, safety is a primary consideration when choosing a new vehicle. This has led to a significant emphasis on safety features and crash test ratings, beyond just the visual appeal and performance aspects. The Bharat NCAP has been active in testing the safety of various SUVs through its crash test programs. The following article presents a list of five of the safest SUVs available in the Indian market, all of which have earned a 5-star rating in the Bharat NCAP crash tests. Here’s an in-depth look at each model.
The Mahindra XEV 9e stands out with the highest scores, earning 32 out of 32 for adult safety and 45 out of 49 for child safety, leading to a total score of 77 out of 81. It is equipped with seven airbags, ABS with EBD, all-wheel disc brakes, a 360-degree camera system, a blind-view monitor, lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, and Level 2 ADAS features such as adaptive cruise control. The ex-showroom price for the Mahindra XEV 9e begins at ₹21.90 lakh and can go up to ₹31.25 lakh, depending on the specific variant.
Following the XEV 9e, the Mahindra BE 6, from the Born Electric range, achieved a safety score of 76.97 out of 81. It received 31.97 points for adult safety and 45 for child safety. Safety features include 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 starts from ₹18.90 lakh and can go up to ₹27.79 lakh, with possible price variations depending on the city.
The Tata Punch EV, another 5-star rated SUV, secured a total of 76.46 out of 81 points. It scored 31.46/32 for adult safety and 45/49 for child safety, comparable to larger and pricier SUVs. Safety features encompass six airbags, hill-start assist, a 360-degree camera, ABS with EBD, all-wheel disc brakes, and hill-hold control. Prices for the Tata Punch EV range from ₹9.99 lakh to ₹14.44 lakh for the top-end model.
The Mahindra Thar Roxx, is the first body-on-frame SUV to attain a 5-star rating in the Bharat NCAP. It achieved scores of 31.09/32 for adult safety and 45/49 for child safety. It features six airbags, electronic stability control, a 360-degree camera, and Level-2 ADAS. The price for the Thar Roxx starts at ₹12.99 lakh and extends up to ₹23.39 lakh for the highest-spec model.
The Maruti Victoris received a 5-star rating in both Global NCAP and Bharat NCAP testing. In Global NCAP, it achieved 33.72/34 for adult safety and 41/49 for child safety. Bharat NCAP scores were 31.66/32 and 43/49, respectively. Its safety features include six airbags, EBD with ABS, 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.