5 Beginner Cars With The Highest Global NCAP Safety Ratings In India

Finding a safe, beginner-friendly vehicle (whether it’s a used car or new) should be of the highest priority for those that don’t have much experience behind the wheel. Manufacturer-equipped safety features are one aspect of the equation, but equally important is a vehicle’s crash-readiness. This is where the Global New Car Assessment Program (or Global NCAP) comes in. This programme’s goal is to help consumers compare vehicles and identify the safest choice. So which small or budget-oriented cars are the safest? This guide narrows down the five highest GNCAP-rated budget vehicles available on the market today.

Become a part of the official CARS24 auto community; AUTOVERSE, where we host lively auto discussions, updates, and more.

1. Tata Tiago/Tigor | 4-Star Adult Safety, 3-Star Child Safety

Starting MSRP: ₹4.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)

The Tata Tiago and Tigor have been combined in the GNCAP tests owing to the fact that they share a single platform, with the Tigor being a compact sedan with a longer boot, while the Tiago is a hatchback. As per the Global NCAP tests, they score four stars in adult occupant protection (or a score of 12.52/17), and three stars in child occupant protection (or a score of 34.15/49).

Concerningly, the report states that the bodyshell’s integrity is ‘Unstable’, and that it was ‘not capable of withstanding further loadings’. Put simply, if the passenger compartment remains stable during the crash test, it is deemed ‘Stable’. The footwell area was rated as unstable, too. Meanwhile, head and neck protection for adult occupants was good, with chest protection for the passenger being deemed ‘adequate’ and ‘marginal for the driver’. So while a new or used Tata Tiago or Tigor’s compact size is a plus for beginners, its crash-readiness, especially compared to other cars on this list, could be better.

Tata Tiago/Tigor Crash Test Details

Tata Tiago/Tigor Key Safety Features

• Cornering Stability Control
• Four-channel ABS
• Seat belt reminders

2. Tata Altroz | 5-Star Adult Safety, 3-Star Child Safety

Starting MSRP: ₹6.49 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)

The Tata Altroz scores well in the adult occupant protection test with a five-star rating (or a near-perfect score of 16.13/17). As per the test’s notes, the protection offered to the driver and passenger’s head and neck was good, with even their chest and knee area showing adequate protection in the test. Crucially, the bodyshell was rated as stable, and capable of withstanding further load. This rating is based on a test that was conducted in 2020, so considering a used Tata Altroz would give you the same level of protection as a new model.

As for the child occupant protection, the Altroz scores three stars out of five (or a score of 29/45). The report states that the child seat for the three-year-old was installed with ISOFIX and a top tether.This helped prevent excessive forward movement during the impact. However, the backrest of the rear seat unlatched during the crash, while the dummy’s head also made contact with the interior of the car. These issues led to the Altroz’s child occupant protection test being less than ideal. As the protection for front passengers is adequate in the Altroz, it is an ideal car for beginners, but if child occupant safety is a priority, there are safer cars available.

Tata Altroz Crash Test Details

Tata Altroz Key Safety Features

• Front seatbelt pretensioners
• Height adjustable seat belt
• ISOFIX anchorages

3. Tata Punch | 5-Star Adult Safety, 4-Star Child Safety

Starting MSRP: ₹6.12 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)

The Tata Punch scores an impressive five stars for adult safety (or a score of 16.45/17). Be it the protection to the head and neck area, the chest and knee area, and even the driver and passenger’s tibia protection, the report states that all these areas showed ‘good protection’. Additionally, the bodyshell and the footwell area was rated ‘stable’, all leading to the five-star adult occupant protection score.

For the child occupant protection test, the three-year old and 1.5-year old dummies were installed in a rearward-facing seat with ISOFIX connectors and support leg. Excessive forward movement during the test was prevented and the impact offered good protection to the head and chest of both dummies. This gave it a solid four-star rating (or a score of 40.89/49). All in,even if you consider a used Tata Punch, the compact SUV is an overall safe car for new drivers.

Tata Punch Crash Test Details

Tata Punch Key Safety Features

• Brake sway control
• Tyre pressure monitoring system
• ISOFIX anchorages

4. Maruti Suzuki Dzire | 5-Star Adult Safety, 4-Star Child Safety

Starting MSRP: ₹6.79 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)

The new Maruti Suzuki Dzire shows a marked improvement over the model it replaces. Where the old Dzire scored a two-star rating for adult and child safety each, the new Dzire with minimal changes to the structure manages an impressive five-star adult occupant protection rating (or a score of 31.24/34), and a four-star child safety rating (or a score of 39.20/49).

The test report noted that in the frontal impact test, the driver and passenger’s head and neck were well protected, with the driver’s chest showing marginal protection. The bodyshell and footwell area were both deemed ‘stable’, while head, abdomen and pelvis showed good protection in both the side impact and side pole impact test.

In the child occupant protection test, the child seat for the three-year old dummy was installed forward facing using the ISOFIX anchorages and a top tether. It proved successful in preventing excessive forward movement during the frontal impact, with full protection to the head and chest area. However, the neck was only offered ‘limited protection’. The 1.5-year old dummy was placed rearward facing in the child seat using the ISOFIX anchorage, and was afforded full protection. Overall, the five-star adult and four-star child safety ratings make the Dzire an ideal car for beginner drivers, while used Maruti Dzires are also available at a lower cost.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire Crash Test Details

Maruti Suzuki Dzire Key Safety Features

• ISOFIX anchorages
• Side head curtain airbags standard

5. Tata Nexon | 5-Star Adult Safety, 5-Star Child Safety

Starting MSRP: ₹7.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)

The Tata Nexon is the only car on this list that has scored a five-star rating in both adult and child safety tests. The Global NCAP report states that good protection was offered to the driver’s and passenger’s head, neck, and knees in the frontal impact test. In the side impact test, the head, abdomen and pelvis showed good protection, with the chest showing ‘adequate’ protection. The standard curtain airbags and ESC further help the Nexon achieve the five-star adult safety rating.

Similarly, in the child occupant protection tests, the Nexon offered ‘almost full protection’ to the three-year old dummy in the child seat that was installed rearward facing. As for the 1.5-year old dummy, the child seat was installed rearward facing, and prevented head exposure during the frontal impact, offering, once again, ‘almost full protection’. Clearly then, for new drivers with a family, few cars offer a better adult and child safety protection rating as the Tata Nexon. If the value equation does not work for you, a used Tata Nexon affords new drivers the same safety, with a substantially lower price.

Tata Nexon Crash Test Details

Tata Nexon Key Safety Features

• Seat belt pretensioners
• Side chest and pelvis airbags
• Emergency brake assist

Highest GNCAP Safety-Rated Cars In India Under ₹10 Lakh

*Cars tested under the new test protocol with a maximum of 34 points instead of the earlier 17

Conclusion

It is undeniable that the Global NCAP safety ratings are a credible way for buyers to understand how capable vehicles are in the event of an accident. At the same time, we, as buyers, shouldn’t overestimate Global NCAP reports. As an instance, a five-star-rated vehicle shouldn’t give owners the liberty of not wearing seat belts or driving recklessly on the road. It’s also not the case that a five-star rating is the only way to escape grievous injury in an accident. The Global NCAP’s tests include parameters like frontal, side and side pole impact, all at a predetermined speed, but these aren’t the only scenarios in which an accident can take place on public roads.