If safety is your priority and your budget is between Rs. 10.0 lakh and Rs. 15.0 lakh (ex-showroom), you’re in luck! The Indian market now offers several cars with 5-star safety ratings, a significant improvement over the limited options available in 2022.
Top Safety Picks: Tata Nexon and Volkswagen Taigun
Tata Nexon: The 2024 Tata Nexon facelift, tested under the Global NCAP’s ‘Safer Cars for India’ campaign, earned a full 5-star rating for both adult and child occupant safety. The Nexon scored 32.22/34 for adult protection and 44.52/49 for child safety. It features 6 airbags, ESC, ABS, and ISOFIX child seat anchorages. Prices for the Nexon range from Rs. 8.09 lakh to Rs. 14.49 lakh (ex-showroom).
Volkswagen Taigun: The Volkswagen Taigun, which received a 5-star rating in the Global NCAP crash test in October 2022, offers a comprehensive safety package. It scored 92.47% in adult and 91.84% in child occupant safety. Key features include 6 airbags, ESC, TPMS, and ISOFIX child seat anchorages. The price starts at Rs. 10.69 lakh and goes up to Rs. 15.08 lakh for the turbo variants.
Skoda Kushaq and Mahindra Scorpio-N: Top Safety with Varying Protection
Skoda Kushaq: Sharing the 5-star NCAP rating with the Taigun, the Skoda Kushaq offers excellent adult protection (29.64/34). It comes with standard safety features like front airbags, ESC, seatbelt reminders, and optional 6 airbags in higher variants. Prices for the Kushaq range from Rs. 10.99 lakh to Rs. 15.49 lakh (ex-showroom).
Mahindra Scorpio-N: The Mahindra Scorpio-N scored 5 stars for adult occupant protection in the Global NCAP test in December 2023. While it achieved good scores for head, neck, and knee protection, it only secured 3 stars for child safety. It includes ESC and stable bodyshell integrity. Prices start at Rs. 12.74 lakh, going up to Rs. 19.11 lakh for higher variants.
Mahindra XUV300 and Tata Harrier: Safety, Performance, and Pricing
Mahindra XUV300: This compact SUV offers a strong safety record with a 5-star NCAP rating. Prices range from Rs. 7.49 lakh to Rs. 15.49 lakh for the AX7L variant. The XUV300 is equipped with a 1.2L turbo petrol or a 1.5L diesel engine and features like ADAS, a 10.25-inch infotainment system, and a 360-degree camera.
The Tata Harrier is a 5-seater SUV with a 2.0L turbocharged engine (167.67 bhp) and a mileage of 16.8 kmpl. It offers a fuel tank capacity of 50 liters and is priced between ₹17.83 lakh and ₹31.01 lakh.
Tata Curvv: Safety, Performance, and Pricing Options
The Tata Curvv, also a 5-seater, features a 1.2L engine (118.2 bhp) and delivers 17.4 kmpl. It has a 44-liter fuel tank and is priced from ₹11.19 lakh to ₹22.60 lakh. Both SUVs offer powerful engines and excellent mileage with different price ranges and variants.
These cars offer great safety features within your budget, providing peace of mind for both driver and passenger.
