Safest cars in India in 2018

According to a global report by the World Health Organisation, approximately more than 2 lakh deaths occur on the roads of India every year. Though organisations and the Government have imposed strict regulations and rules for vehicles on the roads of India, the number of deaths on the roads of India do not seem to be decreasing. In fact, despite the horrific number of accidents that occur on the roads of India every day, according to a survey, more than 60% of the vehicles on the roads of India are uninsured. This is despite the fact that a third-party insurance policy has been made mandatory as per the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. For those who do not know, a third-party car insurance policy offers coverage for the third party following an accident to take care of medical expenses and damages caused to the vehicle. In addition, a comprehensive car insurance policy offers coverage to the policyholder as well as the third party, for repairs of the damages caused to the car and coverage for treatment of injuries or disabilities arising from the accident.

Since accidents cannot be avoided, the Global NCAP (National Car Assessment Program), a United Kingdom-based company has set up a team to try and test vehicles as soon as they are manufactured and before they hit the showrooms across the country. The objective of the organisation is to ensure the safety and public health of people on the roads across the globe and to assess whether cars are equipped to meet global standards with regard to safety. Rating cars from 0-5, the Global NCAP (National Car Assessment Program) crash tests cars to judge the impact the driver and the passengers will have following a collision and rate the safety of the car on this parameter and several others. As of now, all Indian manufacturers have achieved the highest of 4 points, none reaching the highest grade for safety as per the norms set by the Global NCAP (National Car Assessment Program). That said, we’ve listed out the safest cars in India and their special features that bring them on such a list.

Safest cars in India as of 2018

Based on the safety standards as set by the Global NCAP (National Car Assessment Program) and car critics across the globe and in India, we’ve listed out the safest cars on the roads of India as of today:

• Volkswagen Polo

After failing the first crash test miserably with a 0 rating, the German car manufacturer soon made amends and scored a 4-star rating in its second testing. Coming with a 999cc engine, that has 75 bhp power and 95 Nm of torque, the Volkswagen Polo is fully equipped with air bags. Made to withstand a significant amount on force on impact, the Volkswagen Polo scored 3 stars with regard to child protection.

• Toyota Etios Liva

Apparently, the Toyota Liva is one of the most affordable cars rolled out by the manufacturer and it goes without saying, Toyota Cars in general are built to withstand brute force following an accident. The car was given a 4-star rating by the Global NCAP (National Car Assessment Program) and comes with the dual airbag feature. With regard to power, the petrol variant of the Toyota Liva comes with a 1.2 liter engine and is boosted by 79 bhp and 104 Nm torque. The diesel variant comes with a 1.4 liter engine, is powered by 67 bhp, and 170 Nm of torque.

• Mahindra XUV 500

One look at this machine and potential car buyers will be positive of the safety that it will bring them. This main machine scored a 4-star rating following a crash test that was carried out by the Australian Global NCAP (National Car Assessment Program). According to the report, the car scored a 16 out of 16 when it came to the side and front crash impact test. Made as a single shell, the body as well as the chassis of the car, the car boasts of safety features such as electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), tyre pressure monitoring system, anti-lock braking system (ABS), hill descent control, traction control, and has 6 airbags for the driver and the passengers in the vehicle.

• Hyundai Creta

One of the most sought-after compact SUVs in the country, the Hyundai Creta received a 4-star rating by the Latin Global NCAP (National Car Assessment Program) following a crash test. Coming with two standard airbags, the Hyundai Creta has both a diesel and a petrol variant. The petrol variant is a 1.6 liter engine, and is powered by 123 bhp and 151 Nm of torque. The diesel  variant has a 1.4 liter engine and is powered by 89 bhp and car buyers have the option of either a manual or an automatic transmission.

• Volkswagen Vento

Another model from the German car manufacturer Volkswagen to earn the 4-star rating by the ASEAN Global NCAP (National Car Assessment Program), the Volkswagen Vento scored a little more than 14 points out of 16 points for the safety of its body structure.

• Renault Duster

Also one of the most sought-after compact SUVs in the country, the Renault Duster scored 3 stars following the crash impact test that was carried out by Global NCAP (National Car Assessment Program). Fitted with a single airbag for the driver of the vehicle, the Renault Duster has two variants, the petrol and diesel variants. The diesel variant, comes with a 1.5 liter engine, and is powered by 84 bhp and 200 Nm torque. The petrol variant of the Renault Duster comes with a 1.6 liter engine and boasts of 102 bhp and 145 Nm of torque. Recently, the car manufacturer rolled out the Duster with the automatic transmission.

• Ford EcoSport

Following the crash tests that were carried out by both the Euro Global NCAP (National Car Assessment Program) and the Latin Global NCAP (National Car Assessment Program), the Ford EcoSport earned a 4-star rating by the Euro Global NCAP (National Car Assessment Program) and a 5-star rating by the Latin Global NCAP (National Car Assessment Program). The car is equipped with the Emergency Assist, a program that automatically calls for help as soon as the car meets with an accident.

• Tata Nexon

With the car manufacturer known for its reliability across the globe, the Nexon earned a 4-star rating following a crash test that was conducted by the Global NCAP (National Car Assessment Program). Despite the car coming with top-notch safety features, the Tata Nexon comes with an affordable price tag for Indian consumers.

• Honda Jazz

Known as the ‘supermini’, the Honda Jazz is the almost perfect family car for those in the city. The Honda Jazz earned a 5-star rating with regard to safety following the crash test carried out by Euro Global NCAP (National Car Assessment Program), and though it is affordable, it comes with specially designed safety features.

• Jeep Compass

With the Jeep Compass selling like hot cakes in the Indian market, the model received a 5-star rating by the Euro Global NCAP (National Car Assessment Program). The build quality of the car and its durability across all terrains were some of the few highlights of the car following the crash test report.

• Skoda Rapid

Also, earning a 5-star rating by the Global NCAP (National Car Assessment Program), the stylish sedan is one of the most affordable sedans in the country and has top-notch safety features for the driver and the passengers in the car.

• Toyota Yaris

With the car manufacturer renowned for its build quality across the globe, the Toyota Yaris, also earned a 5-star rating by the ASEAN Global NCAP (National Car Assessment Program).

Apart from focusing on the safety features of the car, car owners have to ensure that they have a motor insurance policy as well, to enhance their protection following an accident. For the above-listed cars that are already rated highly by the Global NCAP (National Car Assessment Program) and car critics, having a comprehensive car insurance policy will only enhance the protection of the car owner and will reduce any sort of financial burden following an accident, as it will offer coverage damage to the car of the car owner as well as coverage for repairs of the damaged car of the third party. A comprehensive car insurance comes with medical protection for both parties and also offers coverage if the car is damaged in other mishaps apart from just an accident. That said, car owners in India interested in buying any of the above-listed cars will have to purchase the new long-term third-party car insurance policy that has been recently mandated by the Supreme Court of India. The mandate came into force as of 1 September 2018. Though the overall cost of the car is expected to spike due to the long-term third-party mandate, car owners will be insured for a span of 3 years.