Mahindra XUV700 to Honda Jazz: Top 10 safest cars in India tested by Global NCAP

International car safety rating agency Global NCAP has revised the list of the safest cars currently available in the Indian markets. The agency, which recently tested four more cars made in India, has completed crash tests on 50 cars under its #SaferCarsForIndia campaign.

Earlier this month, Global NCAP had put four Indian cars through crash tests. These included the fourth generation Honda City and Honda Jazz premium hatchback besides the Renault Kiger and Nissan Magnite sub-compact SUVs. All four cars passed the crash tests with four-star ratings. The recent results have shaken up the list of safest cars in India.

Here is a look at the top 10 safest cars in India currently available:

1. Mahindra XUV700:

Mahindra's flagship SUV XUV700 is rated as the safest car on Indian roads by the Global NCAP agency. The SUV was put to the test last year after its launch in August. The SUV comes with seven airbags, latest-generation Electronic Stability Program, cornering lamps, 360-degree camera, Blind View Monitoring and a host of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems' highlights like Front Collission Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Smart Pilot Assist, High Beam Assist, among others.

2. Tata Punch:

Punch SUV is second on the list and is the safest passenger car from the Tata Motors stable. Tata Punch SUV scored a five-star safety rating (16.453) for adult occupant protection and four-star rating (40.891) for child occupant protection. It became the third vehicle from Tata to get this safety recognition after Altroz in January 2020 and Nexon in December 2018.

3. Mahindra XUV300:

Mahindra XUV300, the first of the Mahindra cars to pass the Global NCAP tests, is also the recipient of the safety agency's first ever ‘Safer Choice’ Award for achieving the highest levels of safety performance. It received a five-star safety rating for adult occupant protection and four-star rating for child occupant protection. Before Punch came in, XUV300 had the highest combined occupant safety rating of any Indian car tested so far.

4. Tata Altroz:

The popular premium hatchback from Tata Motors scored a five-star rating for adult occupant by the Global NCAP during its crash test and a three-star rating for child occupant. Altroz has a stable structure and footwell area, a good head and neck protection and chest protection for both adults in the front seats, the safety agency's report had stated.

5. Tata Nexon:

Made from a stable body shell, Nexon from Tata Motors scored five stars for adult occupant protection and three stars for child occupants. Nexon offers dual front airbags, frontal double pretensioners, ABS brakes and ISOFIX anchorages as safety equipment for its passengers.

6. Mahindra Thar:

The off-roader SUV from Mahindra entered the Global NCAP list of safe cars late last year after securing a four-star safety rating for both adult and child occupants. Thar SUV now stands at number five on the list and is also officially the safest Indian off-roader. Thar was tested by Global NCAP in its basic safety specification and two airbags.

7. Honda City:

Honda City fourth generation model secured four-star rating in both adult and child occupant protection category. However, the Jazz hatchback secured just three-star rating when it comes to child occupant protection. Jazz lost points for the ISOFIX child seat mounts and rear middle seatbelt. The City sedan was tested in its most basic safety spec, fitted with two frontal airbags, ISOFIX anchorages and ABS.

8. Tata Tigor EV:

Tigor EV from Tata Motors became the first ever electric vehicle (EV) to be tested by Global NCAP and scored a four-star safety rating for both adult and child occupants. The electric vehicle was assessed in its most basic safety specification, fitted with two airbags as standard. The car safety agency stated that the EV's safety rating can be further improved by adding features like Electronic Stability Control (ESC), side impact protection and three-point belts in all seating positions to the vehicle.

9. Tata Tigor/Tiago:

Tiago hatchback and Tigor sub-compact sedan are equal in terms of safety standards. Both Tigor and Tiago scored four stars in adult occupant protection and three stars for child occupant protection. Both cars are offered with two airbags as standard safety equipment.

10. Honda Jazz:

Honda's premium hatchback was tested in its most basic safety spec, fitted with two frontal airbags and ABS. During the assessment it showed a stable structure. It is offered with a lap-belt in the rear centre seat, without ESC and side head impact protection as standard.