Top 8 Safest Cars Under Rs. 10.0 - 15.0 Lakh - GNCAP Tested (Updated)

1. Volkswagen Virtus

In April 2023, the Volkswagen Virtus secured a 5-star rating under Global NCAP’s revised crash test criteria, showcasing commendable results in both adult and child occupant protection. Scoring 29.71 out of 34 points for adult occupant safety and 42 out of 49 points for child occupant protection, the Virtus demonstrated exceptional safety measures.

Its stable body shell contributed significantly to its safety standing. The model evaluated boasted an array of safety features, including dual airbags, front seat belt pretensioners and load limiters, the option for 4 additional airbags, a seat belt reminder system, ISOFIX seat mounts for second-row seating, as well as ABS with EBD and ESC.

In terms of prices, only three 1.0L turbo petrol-manual variants and one 1.0L turbo petrol-automatic variant of the Virtus are priced under Rs. 15.0 lakh.

Also Read: Volkswagen Virtus Sound Edition Launched – What’s New?

Volkswagen Virtus Petrol Variants Explained — Which One To Buy?

2. Volkswagen Taigun

The made-in-India Volkswagen Taigun secured a 5-star safety rating in the Global NCAP test in October 2022. The Taigun is equipped with a range of safety features, offering 3-point seat belts for all 5 passengers and ISOFIX child seat anchorages as standard. In addition to dual front airbags, ESC, a tyre pressure monitor (TPMS), and rear parking sensors, Volkswagen have equipped higher variants of the Taigun with advanced safety elements including up to 6 airbags, hill-start assist, and a reversing camera.

In terms of prices, only two 1.0L turbo petrol-manual variants and one 1.0L turbo petrol-automatic variant of the Taigun are priced under Rs. 15.0 lakh.

Also Read: Volkswagen Taigun Sound Edition Launched – What’s New?

Volkswagen Taigun Petrol Variants Explained — Which One To Buy?

3. Skoda Slavia

Similar to the Volkswagen Virtus, the Skoda Slavia scored 29.71 points in adult safety, outperforming the Kushaq/Taigun that secured 29.64 points. Both sedans also scored 42 points in child safety with a 5-star rating, equaling their SUV counterparts. Furthermore, the bodyshell integrity of the Slavia was found stable.

The Slavia offered good protection to the driver and co-driver’s head, neck and knees. In the side impact test, the protection for head, chest and abdomen was adequate whereas the pelvis showed good protection. In the electronic stability control (ESC) test, both sedans offered acceptable performance as per Global NCAP’s latest requirements.

In terms of prices, only four 1.0L turbo petrol-manual variants and two 1.0L turbo petrol-automatic variants of the Slavia are priced under Rs. 15.0 lakh.

Also Read: Skoda Slavia Price Updates – November 2023

Skoda Slavia Petrol Variants Explained — Which One To Buy?

4. Skoda Kushaq

The Skoda Kushaq underwent the Global NCAP crash test alongside its VW cousin, the Taigun in October 2022. Both SUVs came out with flying colours, securing 5 stars. In the adult occupant safety, the Kushaq offered good safety to the driver and passenger’s head, neck and knees and scored 29.64 points out of 34. The bodyshell was rated stable and was found capable of withstanding further loads.

The test car was equipped with safety features like front airbags, seat belt pretensioners with load limiters, seat belt reminders, pedestrian protection and electronic stability control. The top-spec variants of the Kushaq also offer 6 airbags and hill start assist.

In terms of prices, only 3 1.0L turbo petrol-manual variants of the Kushaq are priced under Rs. 15.0 lakh.

Also Read: Skoda Kushaq And Slavia Elegance Edition Launched

Skoda Kushaq Petrol Variants Explained — Which One To Buy?

5. Hyundai Verna

The Hyundai Verna joined the list of C-segment sedans with a 5-star safety rating in October 2023. The Hyundai Verna tested by GNCAP was a made-in-India model equipped with 6 airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), rear ISOFIX child seat mounts and seat belt reminders for all passengers. Hyundai’s C-segment sedan not only scored a 5-star safety rating for adult protection but also for child occupant protection.  

In the latest test, the Hyundai Verna scored 28.18 points out of a maximum 34 points for adult occupant safety, and 42 points out of a total 49 for child occupant safety. However, the bodyshell was rated as unstable and not capable of withstanding any further loadings.

Nonetheless, the Hyundai Verna 2023 offered good protection to the driver and passenger’s head and neck in the frontal impact test. Chest protection for the driver was deemed marginal, while passenger chest protection was rated good. The driver’s and passenger’s knees showed marginal protection and the footwell area was rated as unstable.

In terms of prices, four 1.5L normal petrol-manual, one 1.5L normal petrol-automatic, and two 1.5L turbo petrol-manual variants of the Verna are priced under Rs. 15.0 lakh.

Hyundai Verna Petrol Variants Explained — Which One To Buy?

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6. Mahindra XUV300

Tested way back in 2020, the Mahindra XUV300 received an adult safety score of 16.42 points out of 17. The child safety score of the XUV300 is 37.44 out of 49 for a final star rating of 5 for adult safety and 4 in child safety. The XUV300 is due for a facelift soon and we expect it to be equipped with more safety features than the current model. In terms of prices, all petrol and diesel variants of the XUV300 fall under Rs. 15.0 lakh price bracket.

Mahindra XUV300 Petrol Variants Explained - Which One To Buy?

Mahindra XUV300 Diesel Variants Explained - Which One To Buy?

7. Mahindra XUV700

The XUV700 is the second Mahindra to score a 5-star safety rating from Global NCAP. It scored 16.03 points for adult safety. In terms of child safety, it’s better than the previous-generation Nexon and XUV300. The XUV700 scored 41.66 points in child safety with a 4-star safety rating.

Only a handful of XUV700 variants with the 5-seat layout fit under the Rs. 15.0 lakh limit while none of the 7-seat variants meet this budget criteria.

Mahindra XUV700 5-Seat Petrol Variants Explained

Mahindra XUV700 5-Seat Diesel Variants Explained

Mahindra XUV700 7-Seat Petrol Variants Explained

Mahindra XUV700 7-Seat Diesel Variants Explained

8. Mahindra Scorpio N

After the XUV300 and XUV700, the Scorpio N became the 3rd Mahindra model to secure 5 stars in the Global NCAP crash test. The new Scorpio N secured 5 stars in adult occupant safety. It scored 29.25 points out of 34 points and also secured ‘OK’ rating in the side pole impact test. In the frontal offset impact test, the Scorpio N offered good safety to driver and co-passenger head, neck and knees. Mahindra Scorpio N scored 3 stars in child occupant safety, securing 28.93 points out of 49 points. The Scorpio N offered full protection during the frontal impact crash test with both a 3-year-old child seat and 18-month-old child seat installed with needed supporting safety equipment.

The tested model of the Scorpio N was equipped with features like ABS, EBD, dual airbags, driver and co-passenger seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters and ISOFIX anchorages for the 2nd row. The higher variants of the Scorpio N further offer features like 6 airbags, front camera, electronic stability control (ESC) and hill descent control.

Only a few variants of the Mahindra Scorpio N fall under the Rs. 15.0 lakh (ex-showroom) price bracket.

Mahindra Scorpio N Petrol Variants Explained — Which One To Buy?

Mahindra Scorpio N Diesel Variants Explained — Which One To Buy?

Honourable Mention - 2023 Tata Nexon

The Tata Nexon started the safety revolution in India over half a decade ago. While the Tata Nexon received an extensive update in September 2023, Tata are yet to send the B2-segment SUV for Bharat NCAP crash tests. However, the pre-facelift Tata Nexon was one of the safest rated cars in India with an adult safety score of 16.06 points out of 17 and and child safety score of 25 points out of 49 in the GNCAP crash test. The pre-facelift Nexon had a 5- and 3-star rating in adult and child safety, respectively. The updated model is likely to improve upon the older scores in the upcoming Bharat NCAP tests thanks to the addition of standard safety features such as 3-point seat belts for all 5 passengers and 6 airbags. To know more about the 2023 Tata Nexon’s variant-wise safety features, click the link below

Tata Nexon Petrol Variants Explained — Which One To Buy?

To know more about Global NCAP’s testing protocols and how the star rating system works, click here. To know more about Bharat NCAP, head here.

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