The Global NCAP journey of the Tata Nexon is an intriguing one. Tata Nexon remains the first car Made-in-India to achieve a full 5-star safety rating at the GNCAP. This achievement has inspired other Indian car manufacturers to prioritize safety in their vehicles too. The journey towards producing safer cars started in 2018 with the Nexon leading the way. This compact SUV played a big role in educating Indian consumers about the importance of car safety. However, in its first attempt, the Nexon bagged a 4-star rating at the Global NCAP.
You may also like: New Kia Sonet vs New Tata Nexon – Which Facelift to Buy
Tata Nexon NCAP Journey
After getting 4 stars, the India auto giant immediately introduced the seatbelt reminder function to the Nexon which resulted in a 5-star rating. This was back in 2018. At the time, there were no other Indian cars with a safety rating anywhere close to that. In fact, even the buyers were not aware of the relevance of safety ratings. Nexon is solely responsible for making people realize the value of investing in cars with high safety ratings. That is a frenzy which continues till date. In fact, today, safety rating of a car is one of the most critical aspect before making a purchase decision.
You may also like: 5 Reasons Why I Feel Everyone is Buying a Tata Nexon
Tata Nexon 2018 NCAP Score
In the first attempt in 2018, the Nexon received 4 stars in Adult Occupant Protection and 3 stars in Child Occupant Protection. The body shell was rated ‘stable’. This model used to come with frontal double airbags, frontal double pretensioners, ABS brakes and ISOFIX anchorages. Tata introduced the Nexon with safety features that provide four-star protection for adult occupants. These features include good protection for the head and neck of both the driver and passenger, as well as adequate protection for their chests. The car maintains a stable structure even during a crash test at 64 km/h against an offset deformable barrier.
One of Tata’s successful safety features is the ISOFIX anchorages paired with ISOFIX Child Restraint Systems (CRS). This combination helped the Nexon achieve a three-star rating for child occupant protection. Specifically, the rearward-facing CRS installed with ISOFIX anchorages demonstrated good protection for an 18-month-old child. Meanwhile, the forward-facing CRS installed with ISOFIX showed good head protection and limited chest protection. After the introduction of seatbelt reminders, this score was converted into 5 stars. It score 16/17 points in Adult Protection and 25/49 points in Child Protection.
You may also like: Tata Punch EV vs Nexon EV Comparison – Which One to Buy?
Tata Nexon 2024 NCAP Score
The current Nexon is an updated version of the 2018 model. Nothing much has changed fundamentally. The body shell, platform and powertrains remain the same. But Tata has done a clever work to improve the build quality minutely and added tons of more safety features. Note that even the Global NCAP testing protocols have become much stricter now. Still, the Nexon managed to score a full 5-star safety this time around. This includes impressive 32.22/34 points in Adult Occupant Protection and 44.52/49 points in Child Occupant Protection.
You may also like: Will Tata Curvv Cost Only a Little More Than Nexon? – Our Thoughts
Adult Occupant Protection
In Adult Occupant Protection, the Nexon scored 32.22 points out of a possible 34. During frontal impact tests, both the driver and passenger were well-protected in their heads, necks, and chests. Their knees also received good protection. The driver’s tibias received decent protection, while the passenger’s tibias got even better. The footwell area was stable, and the bodyshell showed stability, capable of withstanding additional force.
In side impact tests, the head, abdomen, and pelvis were well-protected, and the chest received adequate protection. During side pole impact tests, the standard airbags provided good protection for the head and abdomen. They offered marginal protection for the chest and sufficient protection for the abdomen. The Nexon model includes 6 airbags, ISOFIX child seat mounts, and ESC (Electronic Stability Control).
You may also like: Service Station Staff Crashes Tata Nexon into Wall, Carmaker Reacts
Child Occupant Protection
In the Child Occupant Protection category, the Nexon achieved an impressive score of 44.52 out of a possible 49 points. During frontal impact tests, both the 3-year-old and 18-month-old child seats were securely installed facing backward using i-size anchorages and a leg support. They effectively protected the children’s heads during the crash, providing nearly complete protection. In side impact tests, both child restraint systems (CRS) offered complete protection.
The car comes standard with 3-point seat belts in all seats. Clear markings warn against using a rear-facing child restraint system in the front passenger seat, meeting safety requirements. Additionally, it allows for disabling the airbag on the passenger side when a rear-facing child seat is placed there. The installation of the child restraint systems passed safety tests for all seating positions.
You may also like: Tata Nexon (5-Star NCAP) Hits Mahindra Thar (4-Star NCAP) – Surprising Results
Author’s Note
The journey of the Tata Nexon in Global NCAP from 4 stars in 2018 to 5 stars in 2018 (second attempt with seatbelt reminder function) and then again in 2024 has been nothing short of an inspiration. In its original version, the Tata Nexon made history by becoming the first car manufactured in India to achieve a full 5-star safety rating from the Global NCAP in 2018. This achievement raised awareness among Indian car owners about the importance of safety ratings when purchasing new vehicles. Consequently, many cars now boast full 5-star ratings. This development even led to the establishment of India’s own safety testing agency, Bharat NCAP. The Nexon was among the last models tested by the Global NCAP, and moving forward, all Indian cars will undergo testing at the Bharat NCAP. Achieving a 5-star GNCAP rating adds another accolade to the Tata Nexon’s already impressive record.
