Safest cars under ₹10 Lakh in India in 2024

When buying a car in India, one of the most crucial things to consider is the degree of safety the vehicle provides to the occupants. The country’s bustling roads, unpredictable traffic and diverse driving conditions call for a car that prioritises the safety of its occupants. Road accidents and fatalities in India are one of the highestes in the world. The country recorded 1,68,491 fatalities as a result of road accidents due to various factors. These alarming numbers highlight the importance of choosing a car with key safety features that help protect the occupants in the event of a crash, but more importantly, features that help avoid them in the first place.

Modern cars in India are subject to a standardised crash test for occupant as well as pedestrian safety. Additionally, there are active safety features like ABS, ESP and more which help prevent them in the first place. Global NCAP goes beyond regulated safety requirements offering crash safety data for cars in India, and there are several highly rated models available to consumers. It must be noted that the crash tests are conducted in controlled environments, and real world performance for these cars can differ in the event of an accident. We highlight some of the cars with highest safety ratings in India that you can buy under ₹10 lakh.

Comparison and ranking of the safest cars in India under ₹10 Lakh 

1. Tata Punch – 5/5 stars

The Tata Punch has quickly become the best selling cars in India. The Punch is built on Tata’s Alfa-ARC platform. In addition to the mandatory safety features like airbags, ISOFIX anchors and ABS, the Punch is available with Corner Stability Control (CSC), as well as, Brake Sway Control (BSC) both of which add dynamic stability to the sub-compact crossover. The Punch earned a five star rating for safety from Global NCAP, making it a great choice under ₹10 lakh. 

Ex-showroom price -  ₹6.1 lakh-₹10.2 lakh

Key specifications

Key safety features 

2. Tata Altroz – 5/5 stars 

Tata’s premium hatchback, the Altroz earned a five-star GNCAP crash test rating. Priced under ₹10 lakh, the Altroz is based on Tata’s Alfa-ARC platform which offers a great foundation for the hatchback. Tata Motors equips the Altroz with safety features such as dual airbags, ABS with EBD, Corner Stability Control (CSC), parking sensors, reverse camera and ISOFIX seat anchors, and more. The standard Altroz model is available with the choice of a 1.2-liter petrol, turbo petrol and CNG engine option, in addition to a 1.5-liter turbo diesel motor, offering an abundance of choice to the consumer. 

Ex-showroom price -  ₹6.6 lakh-₹11.4 lakh

Key specifications 

Key safety features

3. Tata Nexon – 5/5 stars 

One of the safest SUVs in India under ₹10 lakh, is the Tata Nexon. The refreshed Nexon earned a five star rating from Global NCAP for adult occupant safety, and three star rating for child occupant safety. The Nexon is built on an old X1 platform, which underpinned the Indica which dates back to 1998. However, with clever engineering, Tata Motors has managed to build and evolve it into a robust platform, which meets modern safety norms. The Nexon offers six airbags, ISOFIX child seat mounts, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and reverse parking sensors as standard. The more expensive variants are equipped with additional features like Hill Hold control, a 360-camera and tyre pressure monitors.
Ex-showroom price - ₹8.0 lakh-₹15.8 

Key specifications 

Key safety features 

4. TATA Tiago – 4/5 stars 

Under ₹10 lakh, one of the most popular hatchbacks in its segment, the Tata Tiago is also based on the Nexon’s ageing X1 platform. However, the Tiago scored a four-star for adult occupant protection, and three-stars for child occupant protection from Global NCAP. As standard, the Tiago is equipped with ABS with EBD, and Corner Stability control, dual airbags, and ISOFIX child seat anchors. Higher trims include additional safety kit, like tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), automatic headlamps and more. Global NCAP has only crash tested the Tigor sedan model. However, as the Tiago is based on the same platform, it was awarded the same rating as the Tigor.
Ex-showroom price - ₹5.7 lakh-₹8.9 

Key specifications

Key safety features

5. Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire - 5/5 Star

The Maruti Suzuki Dzire, a long-standing favorite in the Indian automotive market, has been reinvented for 2024. This latest iteration boasts a host of improvements, making it a more compelling choice than ever before. A significant highlight of the 2024 Dzire is its impressive 5-star Global NCAP safety rating.Standard safety features include six airbags, ABS with EBD, and seat belt reminders. The Dzire's design has been subtly refined, with a sharper front fascia, LED headlights, and a more sculpted rear end. With its combination of safety, style, performance, and affordability, the 2024 Maruti Suzuki Dzire offers excellent value for money. It's a perfect choice for those seeking a reliable, practical, and feature-rich sedan.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire key specifications

Maruti Suzuki Dzire key features

6. Nissan Magnite – 4/5 stars 

With a highly competitive starting price of ₹6.0 lakh, the Nissan Magnite offers exceptional value in its segment. Underpinned by Renault-Nissan's CMF-A+ platform, the Magnite scored four stars for adult occupant protection, but only two stars for child occupant protection, according to Global NCAP’s crash tests results. However, dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, traction and stability control, and tyre pressure monitoring systems are standard on the Magnite. Higher trims of the compact SUV offer additional safety and convenience features, such as impact sensing door unlock, anti theft alarm, and ISOFIX child seat anchors to name a few.
Ex-showroom price - ₹6.0 lakh-₹11.3 lakh

Key specifications

Key safety features

7. Renault Kiger – 4/5 stars 

The Renault Kiger is the Nissan Magnite’s sibling, built on the same CMF-A+ platform. Global NCAP rated the Kiger exactly the same as the Magnite, with a four star adult occupant protection, and two stars for child occupant following their independent crash tests. Renault equips the Kiger with dual airbags, ABS with EBD as standard, however, only the driver gets a seat belt with load limiter and pretensioner. The passengers in the Kiger only get standard seat belts. Higher variants of the Kiger offer additional features, such as; additional airbags, TPMS, ISOFIX child seats and more. With a starting price of ₹6.0 lakh, the Renault Kiger is a great package to consider.
Ex-showroom price - ₹6.0 lakh-₹11.2 

Key specifications

Key safety features

8. Tata Tigor – 4/5 stars 

At a starting price of ₹6.3 lakh, the Tata Tigor is the only sedan under ₹10 which is highly regarded for its safety rating by Global NCAP. The Tigor scored four-stars for adult occupant protection and three-stars for child occupant protection in GNCAP’s crash test. Tata equips the Tigor as standard with dual airbags, ABS with EBD, ISOFIX mounts for child seats, speed-sensing door locks and more. Powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine, the Tigor also has an efficient CNG option. With its competitive price, safety features and engine options, the Tigor is a great package, and one of the safest sedans you can buy under ₹10 lakh.
Ex-showroom price - ₹6.3 lakh-₹9.6 lakh

Key specifications

Key safety features

Safety features to consider while buying a car

With the objective of reducing accidents, injuries and fatalities, the Government of India has mandated several safety features in all new cars sold in the country. When considering safety features, here are the important ones to consider when buying a new vehicle:

• Airbags – to mitigate injuries to the occupants from the impact of the crash
• Anti-lock braking system (ABS) – to prevent wheels from locking when brakes are applied and mitigate the risk of skidding during situations that require sudden braking 
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) – to help drivers maintain control during sudden swerves and situations where they are likely to lose traction 
• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Alerts the driver of low tyre pressure or puncture
• Seat-belt reminder – to remind the occupants to  fasten their seat belts before driving 
• Child safety locks – to prevent children from accidentally opening the door 
• ISOFIX Child Seat Anchors - to ensure safe installation of child seats

These safety features do not necessarily come at a high cost as indicated by the diverse collection of safest cars under ₹10 lakh, discussed above. 

The Bottom Line

These seven models may be the safest cars you can buy under ₹10 lakh in India. However, regardless of safety features and crash test results, wearing your seat belts, using correct child seats for your kids in the car, following traffic rules and speed limits are the primary steps to driving safely on the road.

FAQs

Q. What are the essential safety features to look for in a car?

Some of the most important safety features to look for before buying a car include airbags, anti-lock braking system (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS). 

Q. How are crash test ratings determined?

Crash test ratings are determined in a controlled environment, following extremely precise parameters, to objectively identify the crashworthiness of a vehicle. For example, a frontal crash test involves crashing the car head-first into a barrier at a predetermined speed. These crash tests evaluate how the vehicle performs in an impact, and the crash test dummies help measure the forces absorbed by them to replicate a specific vehicle crash scenario. However, as these tests are limited to precise parameters, the real world performance of these vehicles can vary.

Q. Can I retrofit additional safety features to a car?
There are some active and passive safety features that can be retrofitted to a vehicle. However, it depends on whether they are compatible with your vehicle. Additionally, features like ISOFIX anchors and Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems require professional expertise to install. Dash cams, on the other hand, can easily be installed on most vehicles.

Q. What is ABS and why is it important?
Anti-lock Braking System or ABS is a feature that ensures that the wheels do not lock in the event of sudden braking. It is an important safety component because:
- It helps the driver maintain steering control and avoid obstacles when brakes are applied suddenly 

- It ensures that the car does not skid on slippery or wet surfaces under braking

- It can also help shorten the stopping distance of the car 

Q. Are budget cars as safe as more expensive ones?

All cars in India are required to meet a standardised crash test, in addition to offering the mandated safety features in order to be eligible for sale. While more expensive models are likely to offer better quality safety features and perform better on the road, there are quite a few cars that prioritise safety and still cost less than ₹10 lakh, offering critical safety features.