Top 5 Safest Cars in India: Tata Harrier, Hyundai Verna, and More

Investing in a car with a high safety rating can result in lower insurance rates, increased resale value, and, most importantly, optimal road protection. Many cars in our market, such as the Tata Nexon and the Hyundai Verna, have received excellent Global NCAP ratings, ensuring a safe driving experience. To help you make an informed choice while purchasing a car in India, we have compiled a list of the top 5 cars rated safe by Global NCAP. So, let's go through the price and other essential features of these models in depth.

Tata Harrier, Safari SUVs

The updated Tata Harrier and Safari, which went on sale last year, are one of the safest cars in India, according to Global NCAP. They scored 33.05 out of 34 points for adult protection and 45 out of 49 points for child occupant protection, resulting in a 5-star overall safety rating. Notably, the SUVs received a perfect 5-star rating in the first round of the Bharat NCAP crash test.

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Both models are powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine and a 6-speed manual or automated transmission. This setup produces 168bhp of maximum power and 350Nm of peak torque.

The SUVs come equipped with several safety features including up to seven airbags, level-2 ADAS technology with 17 features, ABS with EBD, ESP, cruise control, driver attention alert, and hill descent control.

The price of the Tata Harrier starts at Rs 14.99 lakh and goes up to Rs 25.89 lakh, while the Safari retails between Rs 15.49 lakh and Rs 26.79 lakh. Prices are ex-showroom, India.

Volkswagen Virtus, Skoda Slavia

The Volkswagen Virtus and Skoda Slavia are popular compact sedans in India with 5-star safety ratings from Global NCAP. In the 2023 safety tests, the cars scored 29.71 out of 34 points for adult occupant protection and 42 out of 49 for child occupant protection.

The mid-sized sedans are equipped with numerous safety features such as electronic stability control (ESC), traction control system (TCS), multi-collision brakes (MCB), high-speed alert, rear parking sensors with a camera, TPMS, and up to six airbags. They can be propelled by either a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol or a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine. The Virtus costs between Rs 10.90 lakh and Rs 19.41 lakh. The Slavia, on the other hand, starts at Rs 10.69 lakh and goes up to Rs 18.69 lakh. All prices are ex-showroom.

Tata Nexon

The Nexon is among India's safest cars with an excellent 5-star safety rating in the Global NCAP crash tests. The SUV obtained 44.52 out of 49 points for child protection and 32.22 out of 34 for adult protection. 

For passenger safety, the Nexon is equipped with several features like a 360-degree camera with a blind spot monitor, a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), six airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), automatic headlamps with rain-sensing wipers, and ABS with EBD. It has two engine options: a 1.5-litre diesel and a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol. The turbo-petrol unit produces 118bhp and 170Nm, while the diesel mill generates 260Nm and 113bhp. The SUV is priced between 8 lakh and Rs 15.50 lakh. Both are ex-showroom figures. 

Hyundai Verna

The new-generation Verna, launched in India last year, has a 5-star overall safety rating from Global NCAP. It scored 42 out of 49 points in child occupant safety and 28.18 out of 34 points in adult occupant protection.

As for safety, the Hyundai model includes electronic stability control (ESC) and six airbags as standard. However, the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), which offers around 17 Level 2 ADAS functions, is available only in selected variants.

The sedan offers two engine options: a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated (NA) and a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol. The NA engine generates 113bhp and 144Nm, while the turbo-petrol version produces 158bhp and 253Nm. The price of the model starts at Rs 11 lakh and goes up to Rs 17.42 lakh (both, ex-showroom).

Mahindra Scorpio-N

The Mahindra Scorpio-N is admired for its attractive design, robust performance, and remarkable safety features. It stands out as a reliable option in India's SUV segment with a 5-star rating (29.25/34) in adult occupant protection and a 3-star rating (28.93/49) in child occupant protection from the Global NCAP. 

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The SUV is equipped with up to six airbags, front and rear cameras, hill-assist control, a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), and electronic stability control (ESC). It has two engine options (a 2.2-litre diesel and a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol) and both 6- and 7-seater configurations. In India, the Mahindra SUV is priced between Rs 13.85 lakh and Rs 24.54 lakh (ex-showroom).