Drive with peace of mind: Discover India's top 10 safest cars and their standout features

In the Indian auto industry, mileage frequently takes precedence over most other deciding elements. However, there has been a noticeable shift in favour of safety among both consumers and automakers. The Indian government has actively emphasised auto safety since 2019 by mandating airbags and ABS on all vehicles. In order to make Indian roads safer, the government has also made it clear that it plans to implement more safety measures in 2023. Automakers have also been quick to adapt; they are now producing vehicles that meet global safety standards. The safest vehicles in India are listed below along with their corresponding Global NCAP safety ratings:

Tata Punch

Safe, flexible, small, and agile. Tata's Micro-SUV HBX concept has at last taken physical form and has a true "Punch" in its name. The Tata Punch is just as secure and powerfully designed as the Tata Altroz because it was constructed on the same platform. The Punch has standard safety features like ABS, EBD, dual airbags, and brake sway control. Another safety feature that is exclusive to the AMT variants is the Traction Pro Mode, which helps drivers manoeuvre on erratic surfaces.

Specifications and Key Features of the Tata Punch

• Engine: 1.2-liter petrol engine
• Transmission: 5-speed AMT and 5-speed manual
• Mileage: 18.97 Km/l
• Airbags: Dual front airbags are available.
• Fuel type: Petrol
• Seats: 5 seats are available.
• Vehicle Body: Small SUV
• Infotainment: Infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen and connected vehicles
• Cluster: Cluster of semi-digital instruments

Tata Altroz

You can't take your eyes off the Tata Altroz, a smart, fashionable, and well-liked vehicle. The Altroz is one of the safest premium hatchbacks thanks to its 5-star safety rating. Dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, corner stability control, and a chassis built on Tata's ALFA-ARC platform are all standard features of the Tata Altroz.

Specifications and Key Features of the Tata Altroz

• Engine: 1.5-litre diesel, 1.2-litre petrol and 1.2-litre turbo petrol
• Transmission: 5-speed manual gearbox and 6-speed DCT (for 1.2-liter Petrol engine)
• Mileage: Petrol mileage is 18.5 km/l and diesel mileage is 23 km/l.
• Airbags: Dual front airbags are available.
• Types of Fuel: Petrol and Diesel
• Seats: 5 seats are available.
• Type of Body: Hatchback
• Infotainment: Information system with a 7-inch touchscreen Cruise Control Vehicle connectivity

Tata Nexon

The Tata Nexon set the standard as the first automobile manufactured in India to receive a 5-star Global NCAP safety rating. The Tata Nexon is a small SUV with a strong, muscular design that also happens to be quite attractive. Dual airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP, traction control, rollover mitigation, hydraulic brake assist, and many other safety features are included as standard equipment with the Nexon.

Specifications and Key Features of the Tata Nexon

• Engine: 1. litre turbodiesel, 30.2 kWh battery, and 40.5 kWh battery are the available engines.
• Transmission: 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic, and 1-speed automatic for electric vehicles
• Mileage: 312 km (30.2 kWh), 437 km (40.5 kWh), and 17.5 km/l for petrol and 21.1 km/l for diesel.
• Airbags: Dual front airbags are available.
• Types of Fuel: Petrol, diesel, and electric power sources for fuel
• Seats: 5 seats are available.
• Vehicle Body: Small SUV
• Infotainment: Infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen 8 speakers, ventilated front seats Sound System by Harman

Mahindra XUV300

The Mahindra XUV300 is a small SUV with a striking road presence that is lean and fashionable. Since its launch in 2019, the XUV300 has received a 5-star safety rating, making it one of India's safest vehicles. It comes standard with a collapsible steering column, corner braking, up to 7 airbags, ABS, and EBD. Additionally, the ESP in the XUV300 is available starting with the W6 variant.

Specifications and Key Features for the Mahindra XUV300

• Engine: 1.5-litre diesel, 1.2-litre turbo-petrol, and 1.2-litre TGDI turbo-petrol
• Transmission: 6-speed automatic manual transmission
• Mileage: 17 km per litre for petrol and 20 km per litre for diesel.
• Airbags: Two airbags are standard, and there are up to seven in higher variants.
• Type of Fuel: Petrol and Diesel
• Seats: 5 seats are available.
• Vehicle body: Small SUV Dual Zone climate control, a single-pane sunroof, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system

Skoda Slavia

Along with the Volkswagen Virtus, the GNCAP also tested the Skoda Slavia, which unsurprisingly received the same ratings and scores. The Slavia's durability is highlighted by its 5-star GNCAP rating for adult and child occupancy, which makes it an exceptionally safe vehicle to drive. A number of standard safety features, including dual airbags, ABS with EBD, ESC with traction control, multi-collision braking, rear parking sensors, and tyre pressure monitors, add an additional layer of protection. The more advanced Slavia models offer up to 6 airbags and hill start assist, just like Virtus.

Specifications and Key Features of the Skoda Slavia

• Engine: 1.5 or 1-litre turbo-petrol engines are available.
• Transmission: 6-speed torque converter automatic, 6-speed manual gearbox and 7-speed DCT automatic
• Mileage: 18.07-19.47 km per litre
• Airbags: Two airbags are standard, and there are up to six in higher variants.
• Fuel type: petrol
• Seats: 5 seats are available.
• Mid-size sedan body type
• Front seats with vents
• Cruising mode
• Bluetooth charger

Volkswagen Virtus

The stunning Volkswagen Virtus currently holds the top spot on the list of safest cars, demonstrating that beauty at its best is also the safest. The Volkswagen Virtus is the first midsize sedan to receive a 5-star rating under GNCAP's new testing procedures, receiving a 5-star rating from the organisation for both adult and child safety. The majority of this German sedan's safety features, such as dual airbags, ABS with EBD, multi-collision braking, electronic differential lock, tyre pressure monitor, rear parking sensors, and rear defoggers, are also included as standard equipment. The more advanced models include hill start assistance and up to 6 airbags.

Volkswagen Virtus Features and Specifications

• Engine: 1.5 or 1-litre turbo-petrol engines are available.
• Transmission: 6-speed torque converter automatic, 6-speed manual gearbox and 7-speed DCT automatic
• Mileage: 18.12-19.40 km per litre
• Airbags: Two airbags are standard, and there are up to six in higher variants.
• Fuel type: petrol
• Seats: 5 seats are available.
• Mid-size sedan body type
• Front seats with vents
• The cluster of digital instruments
• Sunroof

Skoda Kushaq

The Skoda Kushaq shares a platform with the Taigun, earning the same 5-star safety rating for both adult and child occupants. The Skoda Kushaq is based on the MQB A0-IN platform, just like the Volkswagen Taigun, but it has a more aggressive design that exudes a more macho appeal. The German Creta rival Kushaq emphasises safety even more with a slew of safety features like up to 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, multi-collision braking, electronic differential lock, and others, whereas the Kushaq's structural durability is further supported by its 5-star G-NCAP rating. Additionally, the Skoda Kushaq's 1.5 litres turbocharged petrol engine features cylinder deactivation technology, which lowers emissions and improves mileage.

Specifications and Key Features of the Skoda Kushaq

• Engine: 1.5 or 1-litre turbo-petrol engines are available.
• Transmission: 6-speed torque converter automatic, 6-speed manual gearbox and 7-speed DCT automatic
• Mileage: 17–19 km per litre
• Airbags: Two airbags are standard, and there are up to six in higher variants.
• Fuel type: petrol
• Seats: 5 seats are available.
• Mid-size SUV body type
• Front seats with vents
• Charging a phone wirelessly
• Climate control that is automatic

Volkswagen Taigun

The bodyshell is typically the most crucial layer of safety, and the Volkswagen Taigun successfully defended its place on the list of the safest cars by doing so. Both the adult and child safety ratings for the Volkswagen Taigun are 5 stars. The MQB A0-IN platform-based German mid-size SUV is the first vehicle to undergo testing under the new Global NCAP protocols, which also subject the vehicle to additional side impact tests. With up to 6 airbags, ESC, traction control, TPMS, and a rear camera, among other safety features, the Volkswagen Taigun raises the bar on safety above and beyond its 5-star G-NCAP rating. Additionally, the Taigun 1.5 litre turbo petrol engine features cylinder deactivation technology, which reduces emissions and improves mileage.

Volkswagen Taigun Features and Specifications

• Engine: 1.5 or 1-litre turbo-petrol engines are available.
• Transmission: 6-speed torque converter automatic, 6-speed manual gearbox and 7-speed DCT automatic
• Mileage: 17 to 20 km per litre
• Airbags: Two airbags are standard, and there are up to six in higher variants.
• Fuel type: petrol
• Seats: 5 seats are available.
• Mid-size SUV body type
• Front seats with vents
• Solitary-pane roof
• Climate control that is automatic

Mahindra Scorpio N

One of the safest vehicles in India is the incredibly popular Mahindra Scorpio N. The third vehicle in India to undergo testing under the new Global NCAP guidelines received a 5-star rating for adult occupant safety and a 3-star rating for child occupant safety. The SUV has seven seats. In addition to packing numerous safety features like ABS with EBD, up to six airbags, hill-assist control, a tyre pressure monitoring system, and electronic stability control, the Mahindra Scorpio N is roomier than the significantly more expensive Toyota Fortuner. Additionally, the Mahindra Scorpio N is well known for its off-roading prowess and offers a four-wheel-drive drivetrain as an option on higher variants.

Mahindra Scorpio N Features and Specifications

• Engine: 2.2-litre diesel and 2-litre turbo petrol
• Transmission: 6-speed torque converter automatic or 6-speed manual gearbox with available all-wheel drive
• Mileage: 15 kilometres per litre for petrol and 16.5 for diesel.
• Airbags: Two airbags are standard, and there are up to six in higher variants.
• Type of Fuel: Petrol and Diesel
• Seats: Seating for six and seven
• Type of body: full-size SUV
• Climate control in two zones
• 6-way powered driver seat, single-pane sunroof

Mahindra XUV700

Upon release, the Mahindra XUV700 caused some controversy for a variety of reasons. The SUV is not only opulent; it also has a design that is competitive with that of Korean and European automakers. The XUV700 is notable for being the first SUV manufactured in India to include Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS). This system keeps the car under control and helps prevent accidents by monitoring the surroundings through a large network of sensors and onboard computers. The XUV700 received a 5-star safety rating from the GNCAP thanks to its standard dual airbags, Anti-Lock Braking System with EBD, and Electronic Stability Programme.

Specifications and Key Features for the Mahindra XUV700

• Engine: 2.2-litre diesel and 2-litre turbo petrol
• Transmission: 6-speed torque converter automatic or 6-speed manual gearbox with available all-wheel drive
• Mileage: 13.5 to 14.8 km/l for diesel and 13 to 14 km/l for petrol
• Airbags: Two airbags are standard, and there are up to seven in higher variants.
• Type of Fuel: Petrol and Diesel
• Seats:5 and 7 seats are available.
• Mid-size SUV body type
• 12-speaker Sony audio system, panoramic sunroof, 6-way power driver seat