In recent times, the Indian automobile industry has witnessed a significant increase in 5-star NCAP rated cars. The potential car buyers have been enamoured by the safety ratings of a car before making a purchase decision. It all started with the Tata Nexon back in 2018 when it became the first Indian car to score a full 5-star safety rating at the Global NCAP. Thereafter, many Tata and Mahindra products achieved this impressive feat. Needless to say, some foreign carmakers like VW and Skoda were already particular about these aspects. Hence, their cars are also 5-star rated. For now, let us glance at the details of the upcoming cars which are likely to receive 5 stars.
Upcoming 5-star NCAP Rated Cars in India
Tata Harrier EV
Let us commence this list with the Tata Harrier EV. Note that the current Harrier boasts a 5-star rating at the recently launched Bharat NCAP. In fact, this score is valid for Harrier, as well as Safari. The large SUV scored an almost perfect 30.08 points out of a possible 32 in Adult Occupant Protection and 44.54 points out of 49 in the Child Occupant Protection category. As a result, it scored 5 stars in both categories replicating its success at the Global NCAP earlier. Now, the Harrier EV won’t be all that different from the ICE version. Tata Motors will simply slap on a battery pack and accommodate electric motors in it. But the structure will not change. Hence, we expect it to be a 5-star safety-rated car.
Tata Altroz Racer
Next up, we have the Tata Altroz Racer. It is the performance version of the regular Altroz which will rival the Hyundai i20 N-Line in our market. I have reported it testing on our roads on multiple occasions. Tata wants to cater to the driving enthusiast audience with the Racer edition of the Altroz. The premium hatchback bagged a full 5 stars at the Global NCAP back in 2020. As per the protocols at that time, it received 16.13 points out of a maximum of 17 in the Adult Occupant Protection and 29 out of 49 points in the Child Occupant Protection category. These resulted in 5-star and 3-star safety ratings, respectively. Since the Race Edition will be the same structurally, I expect this score to continue.
Tata Nexon CNG
The 2024 Tata Nexon was able to bring home a full 5-star rating at the 2024 Global NCAP test. Nexon is a compact SUV which is one of the most popular vehicles in its segment. While the Nexon scored 5 stars first in 2018, it managed to do it again in 2024 when the Global NCAP protocols were even more stringent. In the Adult Occupant Protection, the Nexon scored 32.22 points out of a possible 34, whereas in the Child Occupant Protection category, it bagged 44.52 points out of a maximum of 49. This resulted in 5 stars in both segments. The CNG version will only get minor modifications in the engine. The other aspects will remain the same which is what makes me believe that even it will have the same safety rating.
Mahindra XUV.e8
The next SUV on this list of upcoming 5-star NCAP rated cars in India is the Mahindra XUV.e8. Now, I have written about the spy media related to the upcoming electric SUV from the Indian auto giant numerous times. It is based on the existing XUV700. However, it will bear an electric heart. Note that the XUV700 got a full 5-star safety rating at the Global NCAP back in 2021. In the Adult Occupant Protection category, it achieved 16.03 points out of 17, whereas in the Child Occupant Protection segment, it got 41.66 points out of a possible 49. This resulted in 5-star and 4-star safety ratings, respectively. The upcoming XUV.e8 would most likely carry forward this capability.
Mahindra XUV.e9
Finally, we have the Mahindra XUV.e9 on this list of upcoming 5-star NCAP rated cars in India. Again, even this will be based on the XUV700 slightly but its rear section will offer the coupe silhouette. That will set it apart from the rest of the crowd. As its nomenclature indicates, it will come with electric credentials. In fact, it will be part of 5 upcoming electric SUVs from Mahindra within the next 2 years. The logic of why I think it will have a 5-star rating is the same as the XUV.e8. It will definitely carry the DNA of the XUV700.
Our View
As I mentioned previously, since none of these cars are launched yet, we don’t know the actual safety ratings. But since all of these are based on existing 5-star safety-rated cars, it is almost certain that these will have at least the same, or even better safety score. Also, I expect all these cars to be tested on the new Bharat NCAP test. It is based on the updated Global NCAP. I shall report the details about the crash tests of these cars as and when they transpire.
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