Seven of the 15 SUVs that BNCAP has assessed are from Tata Motors.
Introduced by the government in 2023, the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (BNCAP) has taken over the responsibility of Global NCAP to conduct crash tests and award scores to cars sold in the country. It hopes this will help buyers make an informed purchase decision. Since its inception, BNCAP has tested 15 vehicles, primarily SUVs. Below are the results of these tests, detailing how each SUV performed in them.
1. Skoda Kylaq
The Skoda Kylaq compact SUV got a 5-star rating in both adult and child occupant protection in the Bharat New Car Assessment Program’s (BNCAP) safety tests. Skoda’s compact SUV scored 30.88 out of 32 in adult occupant protection (AOP) and 45 out of 49 in child occupant protection (COP). Currently, the Kylaq is the best-performing ICE SUV which is under four metres at the BNCAP. Six airbags, three-point seatbelts with reminders for all passengers, ESC and ISOFIX anchors for rear outboard seats are some safety features available across its variants.
2. Mahindra XEV 9e
The Mahindra XEV 9e coupe SUV was awarded a 5-star rating in the latest round of Bharat NCAP’s crash tests. The electric SUV scored a full 32 points in Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) and 45 out of 49 points in Child Occupant Protection (COP). The model tested by BNCAP was the top-spec XEV 9e Pack Three. Safety features like 6 airbags, ISOFIX anchors, rear disc brakes and tyre pressure monitor are offered from the range starting XEV 9e Pack One.Â
3. Mahindra BE 6
Another electric offering from Mahindra, the BE 6 also scored a 5-star rating for both Adult and Child Occupant Protection. In AOP, the EV received 31.97 points out of 32, while it got 45 points out of 49 in COP. As for the side pole impact test, it was rated ‘OK’. Just like the XEV 9e, the BNCAP crash-tested the range-topping BE 6 Pack One trim. However, this rating also applies to the base Pack One as well, claimed Mahindra. In terms of standard safety equipment, the BE 6 comes with six airbags, a rear camera, parking sensors, TPMS and a driver drowsiness detection system.Â
4. Hyundai Tucson
The Tucson was the latest and first Hyundai car tested by BNCAP in November 2024. Its five-star ratings in AOP and COP translated to 30.84 and 41 points, respectively. Available with petrol and diesel engines, only the former was crash-assessed, to which the scores apply. Regarding standard equipment, the SUV gets six airbags, ESC, three-point seatbelts with alarms, and ISOFIX anchorages for rear outboard seats.
5. Mahindra Thar Roxx
The five-star rating for the Mahindra Thar Roxx consisted of AOP and COP scores of 31.09 and 45, respectively. This safety rating applies to all the variants of the five-door SUV. The Thar Roxx complies with AIS-100 pedestrian protection norms for keeping the occupants as well as pedestrians safe when on the go. As standard, it features six airbags and a cut-off switch for the passenger seat airbag. Additionally, ISOFIX child seat anchor points, all three-point seatbelts with reminders and ESC are offered throughout the range. Similar to the XUV 3XO, an ADAS suite is offered in the AX5L and AX7L variants.
6. Mahindra XUV3XO
Next up, the Mahindra 3XO continued the five-star streak with scores of 29.36 in AOP and 43 in COP. BNCAP reported that the MX2 and AX7 L variants were sent by the homegrown brand for testing but the results apply to the entire XUV 3XO lineup. Also, all trims of the sub-compact SUV have standard safety assist technologies like six airbags, three-point seatbelts with reminders, electronic stability control (ESC), ISOFIX seats and a passenger-side airbag cut-off switch. Level 2 ADAS suite, however, is reserved for AX5 L and AX7 variants.Â
7. Mahindra XUV400
Out of the three Mahindra SUVs sent for testing in November 2024, the XUV400 stands out as the sole EV among them. It got 30.38 points (maximum 32) in Adult Occupant Protection, while it scored 43 points (maximum 49) in Child Occupant Protection. BNCAP reported that the model’s rating applies to all the variants. The EC and EL trims come with ABS, ESP, front and rear disc brakes, TPMS and ISOFIX child seat mounts as standard fitment. Do note that six airbags are exclusive to range-topping EL variants, while EC models get only two airbags at the front.
8. Tata Nexon
Tested by Bharat NCAP in October 2024, the Tata Nexon secured a perfect 5-star rating for adult occupant protection (AOP) as well as child occupant protection (COP), scoring 29.41/32 and 43.83/49 points, respectively. Standard safety features include six airbags, ESC, ABS with EBD, ISOFIX child seat anchor points, rear parking sensors and hill hold control.
9. Tata Curvv
The Curvv’s crash test result was also revealed alongside the Nexon, and just like the compact SUV, the coupe-SUV also scored 5 stars for both adult and child occupant protection. It secured 29.50/32 points for AOP and 43.66/49 points for COP. On the safety front, the Curvv gets ABS with EBD, ESC, six airbags, hill hold control and ISOFIX child seat anchor points as standard across the range.
10. Tata Curvv EV
The Curvv EVÂ secured 5 stars for AOP and COP, scoring 30.81/32 and 44.83/49 points, respectively. It gets six airbags, ESP, all wheel disc brakes, a rear camera and rear parking sensors as standard. Higher variants of the electric vehicle also get Level 2 ADAS just like its ICE twin.
11. Citroen Basalt
The Citroen Basalt is the only car from the brand to have been crash tested by Bharat NCAP so far. The coupe-SUV managed to secure 4 stars for AOP (26.19/32) and 4 stars for COP (35.90/49). On the safety front, Citroen offers the Basalt with six airbags, ESP, hill hold, TPMS, a rear view camera, rear parking sensors and ISOFIX child seat anchor points.
12. Tata Nexon EV
The Tata Nexon EV achieved a 5-star rating for both adult and child protection in Bharat NCAP’s crash test, scoring 29.86/32 and 44.95/49 points, respectively. Standard safety features include ABS with EBD, six airbags, ESP, hill hold control, ISFOIX child seat anchor points, rear parking sensors, rear camera and TPMS.
13. Tata Punch EV
The Punch EV, tested alongside its sibling Nexon EV, also achieved an identical 5-star rating for both adult and child occupancy. It scored 31.46 out of 32 points for AOP and 45 out of 49 points for COP. Safety features such as six airbags, ESP, hill hold control, ISOFIX child seat anchor points, rear parking sensors and TPMS are standard.
14. Tata Harrier
Crash tested in December 2023, the Harrier received a 5-star safety rating from Bharat NCAP for both adult and child occupancy. It achieved an AOP score of 30.08 out of 32 and a COP score of 44.54 out of 49. Tata offers the Harrier with ABS and EBD, corner stability control, six airbags, ESP, hill hold control, ISOFIX child seat anchor points, traction control and rear parking sensors as standard.
15. Tata Safari
The Safari was also crash tested in December 2023 and secured a 5-star safety rating from Bharat NCAP for both adult and child occupancy. It matched the Harrier with an AOP score of 30.08 out of 32 and a COP score of 44.54 out of 49. As standard, the Tata Safari gets all-wheel disc brakes, six airbags, ABS with EBD, corner stability control, ESP, hill hold control, ISOFIX child seat anchor points, rear parking sensors, roll-over mitigation and traction control.
Also see:Â
Every Indian car, SUV tested by Global NCAP under new protocols
Every new car, SUV tested by Global NCAP in 2024 in India
Bharat NCAP and Global NCAP: differences and similarities explained
