Top 3 Safest 3-Row MPVs Available in India

So, here’s a list of cars for those who want the safest MPVs with 3-row seating for 6 to 8 passengers,

Note: The adult safety score is out of 17, while the child safety score is out of 49. GNCAP then condenses the score into a star rating for easy understanding. For the sake of consistency, this list only includes made-in-India MPVs tested by Global NCAP.

1. Mahindra Marazzo

Going by the sales figures, the Mahindra’s Marazzo is the least popular car on this list. But, it’s the only car on this list with an abuse-friendly ladder frame chassis and also the only one with a diesel engine.

If that’s not enough to convince you to seriously consider the Marazzo, then its safety score certainly will. In the GNCAP test, this MPV scored 12.85 points for adult safety out of 17 and 22 points for child safety. Its overall safety rating stands at 4 stars for adults and 3 for kids.

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Unfortunately, the Marazzo neither has a petrol engine nor an automatic transmission. Both of these things are in high demand lately.

2. Renault Triber

The Renault Triber is the most affordable MPV on this list and probably the most value-for-money offering as well. The Triber got 11.62 points in adult occupant safety and 27 points in child safety. It earned 4 stars for adult safety and 3 stars for child safety.

Please note that GNCAP tested the 2-airbag version of the Triber. So, if you buy a higher variant with 2 extra airbags, you will get an MPV with a slightly better real-world safety score than what’s projected in the GNCAP results.

The only thing that keeps us from wholeheartedly recommending the Triber is its mediocre engine performance. The Triber’s 1.0-litre normal petrol engine is adequate for city driving, but out on the highways, it’ll have a tough time keeping up. This is especially concerning if you frequently travel on the interstate roads with a full load of 7 occupants and some luggage.

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If the Triber gets the 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine, then it’d be an easy pick for budget MPV buyers.

3. Maruti Suzuki Arena Ertiga & Nexa XL6

Finally, we have the Ertiga and XL6 twins from Maruti Suzuki Arena and Nexa, respectively. It managed to score 9.25 points out of 17 for adult safety and 17.75 out of 49 for child safety for a final tally of 3 stars in both categories.

Among these two cars, the XL6 is better-suited for personal use as it has separate captain seats in the second row. It’s also the better option for you if you’re not fond of the Ertiga’s taxi image. Here are the prices of the Maruti Suzuki Nexa XL6:

Also read - 7 Best Low-Budget Cars With High Ground Clearance Under Rs. 5 Lakh

While there are other cars with 3-row seating options like the MG Hector Plus, Toyota Innova Crysta, Kia Carnival and Hyundai Alcazar, GNCAP hasn’t yet tested either of these.