Global New Car Assessment Programme (Global NCAP) has been playing a pioneering role in helping improve safety standards for motor vehicles in India. The organization is committed to providing independent research and testing facilities, so that automakers and customers can get reliable information about the safety of various vehicles.
A number of cars manufactured in India have taken the Global NCAP test and the results have been a revelation. Out of the around 28 cars tested by Global NCAP between 2014 and 2018, only five cars have managed to get 4-star rating. Here’s a quick report on the top 5 safest mass produced cars in India.
5 Volkswagen Polo
In 2014, this came in two variants, one without airbags and one with dual airbags. The one without airbags fared poorly in the Global NCAP crash test, which was not unexpected. Most other cars without airbags failed the Global NCAP crash test. However, the variant with dual airbags performed quite well in the crash test that was conducted in 2014. Volkswagen Polo with dual airbags received 4 stars in adult safety and 3 stars in child safety. It scored 12.54/17 points for adult safety and 29.91/49 for child safety. Head & neck safety for both driver and front passenger was rated ‘Good’ whereas chest safety was ‘Adequate’. There was a risk of injury to the knee of both driver and front passenger. Bodyshell integrity was rated stable. Based on the test reports, Volkswagen has now introduced ABS and airbags across the entire Polo range in India.
4 Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza
This was recently tested in 2018 and it has turned out to be a positive development for Maruti Suzuki, as Brezza has received 4-star rating by Global NCAP. However, it received only 2-star rating for child safety. Brezza’s low 2-star rating for child safety was due to its ‘Poor’ and ‘Limited’ protection to the head and chest, respectively, in case of 18 month old child. Points scored in the crash test are 12.51 for adult safety and 17.93 for child safety. All Brezza trims come with various safety features such as ABS with ABD, dual airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, SBR for driver, and ISOFIX anchorages. In the crash test, Brezza provided ‘Good’ protection to head & neck of both driver and front passenger. Chest protection was ‘Marginal’ and there’s a risk of injury to both driver and front passengers’ knee. Bodyshell integrity was stable.
3 Tata Zest
The first Tata Zest that was tested in 2016 did not have airbags, which is why it failed the crash test entirely. However, Global NCAP allowed a retest the same year, wherein an upgraded version of Tata Zest was crash tested. Upgraded Tata Zest had front seatbelt pretensioners, driver and front passenger airbag and SBR for driver. However, ISOFIX anchorages and ABS were not present. Tata Zest with dual airbags got 4-star rating for adult safety and 2-star rating for child safety. It scored 11.15 points in adult safety and 15.52 points in child safety. Protection to head & neck, chest and knee of driver and front passenger was rated in the range of ‘Good’ to ‘Marginal’. However, bodyshell integrity was rated ‘unstable’, as it could not endure further loadings. Current trims of Tata Zest have been equipped with ABS, EBD and corner stability control.
2 Toyota Etios Liva
This was tested in 2016 and was able to get 4-star rating in its first test. However, Toyota Etios Liva received only 2-star rating for child safety. It scored 13 points in adult safety and 20.02 points in child safety. It had safety features such as front seatbelt pretensioners and dual airbags. It did not have ABS and ISOFIX anchorages. However, the current variant of Etios Liva hatchback has upgraded safety features such as ABS with EBD and ISOFIX anchorages. For driver, protection was ‘Good’ for head & neck; ‘Adequate’ for chest; and ‘Marginal’ for knees. Slightly better results were obtained for the front passenger. Bodyshell integrity was rated stable.
1 Tata Nexon
At number one spot in Global NCAP crash test report is Tata Nexon with 4-star rating in adult safety and 3-star rating in child safety. Tested in 2018, Tata Nexon scored 13.56 points in adult safety and 25 points in child safety. The tested variant had dual airbags, ABS (4 channel), SBR for driver, and ISOFIX anchorages. For both driver and front passenger, protection was ‘Good’ for head & neck and ‘Adequate’ for chest. There was risk of injury to the knee of both driver and front passenger. Bodyshell integrity was rated as stable.
