Safety is becoming an important factor for car buyers in India, with a focus on accident prevention along with price, features and performance, driven by greater awareness and access to information. The Bharat New Car Assessment Program (BNCAP) has supported this change by introducing a standardized system for evaluating vehicle safety through controlled crash tests, including front and side impacts. Cars are assigned star ratings based on adult and child protection, making it easier for buyers to compare models and encouraging manufacturers to improve structural strength and safety systems. Several models across all segments achieved high scores under BNCAP, reflecting advances in areas such as physical integrity, airbags and electronic safety features. Automakers are also increasing the availability of systems such as multiple airbags, stability control and driver assistance technologies. In this article, let’s take a look at the top five safest cars with a five-star safety rating according to BNCAP.
Tata Harrier EVThe first safest car on the list is the Tata Harrier EV with a five-star safety rating for both adults and children. The electric SUV scores 32 out of 32 points for adult protection and 45 out of 49 points for child occupant protection. Safety features include seven airbags, a 360-degree camera, a built-in dash cam, a blind spot monitor, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Level 2 ADAS and more. The SUV is offered with two battery options: a 65kWh unit paired with a rear-mounted motor, and a larger 75kWh pack with a dual-motor setup providing all-wheel drive.
Mahindra XEV 9eThe second car on the list is the Mahindra XEV 9e electric coupe SUV with a five-star safety rating for both adults and children. The XEV 9e scored a perfect 32 out of 32 points for Adult Occupancy Protection (AOP) and 45/49 points for Child Occupancy Protection (COP). The XEV 9e is the first model to achieve full AOP marks in BNCAP. The Coupe EV SUV gets two battery pack options – 59kWh and 79kWh. On the MIDC cycle, the XEV 9e with the 79kWh battery is claimed to offer a range of 656km, while the version with the smaller 59kWh pack offers a range of 542km on a single charge.
Mahindra BE6Another Mahindra EV on the list is the Mahindra BE 6 Electric with a five-star safety rating for both adults and children. The BE 6 scored 31.97 out of 32 points in Adult Occupant Protection (AOP), and in Child Occupant Protection (COP), the BE 6 scored 45 out of 49 points. The BE 6e is available in two battery pack options – the 59kWh battery produces 231hp, while the 79kWh battery produces 286hp. Both configurations offer 380 N·m of torque and are rear-wheel drive. The larger battery pack has an ARAI-certified range of 682km, while the smaller battery offers a range of 556km.
Maruti Suzuki VictoriesThe fourth car on the list is the Maruti Suzuki Victories with a five-star safety rating for both adults and children. Victorious scored 31.66 out of 32 for adult protection and 43.00 out of 49 for child protection. The Victorious is offered with two engine options – a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder, NA petrol engine and a 1.5-litre, strong hybrid petrol engine. The 1.5-litre NA engine produces 103 hp of power and 139 Nm of torque. It comes with two transmission options – a 5-speed manual and a 6-speed torque converter automatic, and also gets an AWD option.
Tata Punch EVThe fifth car on the list is the Tata Punch EV with a five-star safety rating for both adults and children. The Punch EV scored 31.46/32 for adult protection and 45/49 for child protection. It should be noted that this safety rating applies to the pre-facelift model. The new facelifted Punch was recently launched with minor cosmetic changes, additional features and bigger battery pack options. The facelifted Punch EV gets two major battery pack options – 30 kWh and 40 kWh. The larger battery pack has an ARAI-certified range of 468km on a single charge and the C75 has a real-world range of 355km.
