Indian consumers are increasingly prioritizing safety when purchasing a car, moving beyond just the aesthetics and performance. This shift is reflected in the growing importance of safety features and crash ratings. The Bharat NCAP has been conducting crash tests to assess the safety of various SUVs, providing crucial data for prospective buyers.
This article highlights five of the safest SUVs in India, all of which have received a 5-star rating in the Bharat NCAP tests. Let’s explore these models.
The Mahindra XEV 9e leads with impressive scores: 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. It includes 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 XEV 9e is priced from ₹21.90 lakh to ₹31.25 lakh, dependent on the variant.
The Mahindra BE 6, from the Born Electric series, follows with a total safety score of 76.97 out of 81, scoring 31.97 for adult safety and 45 for child safety. It features 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 price of the BE 6 starts at ₹18.90 lakh and can go up to ₹27.79 lakh, which can vary by location.
The Tata Punch EV is another 5-star rated SUV, scoring 76.46 out of 81. It scored 31.46/32 for adult safety and 45/49 for child safety, matching the safety levels of larger and more expensive SUVs. It is equipped with 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 priced from ₹9.99 lakh to ₹14.44 lakh.
The Mahindra Thar Roxx is the first body-on-frame SUV to achieve a 5-star rating in Bharat NCAP, receiving 31.09/32 for adult safety and 45/49 for child safety. It includes 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 can reach up to ₹23.39 lakh.
The Maruti Victoris also earned 5-star ratings in both Global NCAP and Bharat NCAP tests. In Global NCAP, it scored 33.72/34 for adult safety and 41/49 for child safety. In Bharat NCAP, it received 31.66/32 and 43/49, respectively. 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.