5-Star Crash-Rated Cars Under 15 Lakh: Safest Options You Can Buy
Key Highlights
- NCAP crash tests are not mandated by law and are voluntary assessments by manufacturers.
- A 5-star NCAP rating can never be the sole indicator of complete automotive safety.
- Tata Motors continues to dominate NCAP safety ratings.
It has not been long since India became the third-largest automotive market in the world. Naturally, the need for safer cars has risen than ever before, especially since the country is not particularly popular in terms of road discipline and traffic rule compliance. It is impossible to truly assess a vehicle’s safety in varied driving conditions, but NCAP (New Car Assessment Program) ratings can be relied on to a reasonable extent. There are multiple NCAP formats in the world, out of which Euro NCAP is often considered the strictest and most comprehensive.
Contrary to popular belief, NCAP crash tests are not a legal requirement, though they are generally encouraged by the government. Manufacturers voluntarily send their latest products for validation if they do not have a crash facility of their own. Needless to say, a high safety rating is a great marketing tool as well. Let us explore cars priced within ₹15 lakh ex-showroom that have attained a 5-star safety NCAP rating (both Adult Occupant Protection and Child Occupant Protection) in recent times!
Tata Punch
The Tata Punch is one of the highest-selling cars in the country. In fact, it was the best-selling car of 2024 (including EV variants) — a title usually bagged by entry-level Maruti Suzuki products. It is powered by a 1.2-litre three-cylinder NA petrol engine making 87bhp @ 6,000rpm and 115Nm @ 3,150rpm. This is mated to either a 5-speed manual or AMT. There is also a CNG variant good for 72bhp @ 6,000rpm and 103Nm @ 3,250rpm. Ex-showroom prices range from ₹5.50 - 9.30 lakh.
Bharat NCAP Safety rating (September 2025)
Adult: 29.65/32.00 (5 Stars)
Child: 44.90/49.00 (5 Stars)
Tata Punch.EV
The Tata Punch.EV, despite looking almost the same as its ICE counterpart, is based on a totally different platform (acti.ev). It offers great value as a secondary car, especially as a first EV purchase. Output choices start with a 25kWh battery pack supporting 80.46bhp (60kW) and 114Nm. Long Range (LR) variants get a 35kWh unit coupled to a 90kW or 120.69bhp motor. Torque rises to 190Nm. Ex-showroom prices range from ₹9.99 - 14.44 lakh.
Bharat NCAP Safety rating (May 2024)
Adult: 31.46/32.00 (5 Stars)
Child: 45.00/49.00 (5 Stars)
Tata Altroz
A major rival to the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Hyundai i20, the Tata Altroz gets multiple engine and gearbox options. The 1.2-litre 3-cylinder NA petrol engine makes 86.79bhp @ 6,000rpm and 115Nm @ 3,250rpm while mated to a 5-speed manual, 5-speed AMT or 6-speed DCT. The 1.5-litre 4-cylinder diesel version generates 88.76bhp @ 4,000rpm and 200Nm @ 1,250rpm. Finally, the 1.2-litre iCNG 3-cylinder engine is good for 72.49bhp @ 6,000rpm and 103Nm @ 3,500rpm. The latter two get only a 5-speed manual. Ex-showroom prices range from ₹6.30 - 10.51 lakh.
Bharat NCAP Safety rating (September 2025)
Adult: 29.65/32.00 (5 Stars)
Child: 44.90/49.00 (5 Stars)
Tata Nexon
The Tata Nexon is also available in a range of engine/transmission choices like its hatchback counterpart, Altroz. Unlike the Tata Altroz, the compact SUV gets a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder ‘turbo’ petrol engine making 118.27bhp @ 5,500rpm and 170Nm @ 1,750rpm. There are four transmission choices: 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual, 6-speed AMT and 7-speed DCT. CNG variants churn out 98.59bhp @ 5,000rpm and 170Nm @ 1,750rpm from a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder turbo power plant, solely mated to a 6-speed manual. Meanwhile, the 1.5-litre 4-cylinder diesel engine makes 113.31bhp @ 3.750rpm and 260Nm @ 1,500rpm. This is mated to either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed AMT. Ex-showroom prices range from ₹7.32 - 14.15 lakh
Bharat NCAP Safety rating (October 2024)
Adult: 29.41/32.00 (5 Stars)
Child: 43.83/49.00 (5 Stars)
Maruti Suzuki Dzire
Currently in its 4th generation, the all-new Maruti Suzuki Dzire is arguably the most desirable and best-looking subcompact sedan in the Indian market. It also looks completely different compared to its hatchback sibling Swift. It is powered by a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder NA petrol engine good for 80bhp @ 5,700rpm and 111.7Nm @ 4,300rpm, while mated to a 5-speed manual or AMT, CNG variants (coupled to a 5-speed manual) produce 69bhp @ 5,700rpm and 101.8Nm @ 2,900rpm. Ex-showroom prices range from ₹6.26 - 9.31 lakh.
Bharat NCAP Safety rating (June 2025)
Adult: 29.46/32.00 (5 Stars)
Child: 41.57/49.00 (5 Stars)
Kia Syros
Polarising looks and unmatched practicality create a unique fusion in the Kia Syros. Based on an upgraded version of the Hyundai-Kia K1 platform (which also underpins the new Venue), the Syros is somewhere in between a tall-boy hatchback and a compact SUV. There are two engine choices: 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbo petrol (118bhp @ 6,000rpm; 172Nm @ 1,500rpm; 6-speed manual or 7-speed DCT) and 1.5-litre 4-cylinder diesel (114bhp @ 4,000rpm; 250Nm @ 1,500rpm; 6-speed manual or 6-speed torque converter). Ex-showroom prices range from ₹8.67 - 15.94 lakh.
Bharat NCAP Safety rating (April 2025)
Adult: 30.21/32.00 (5 Stars)
Child: 44.42/49.00 (5 Stars)
Skoda Kylaq
Based on Volkswagen Group’s MQB-A0-IN, the Skoda Kylaq is currently the most affordable and best-selling product from the Czech brand in India. It is powered solely by a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbo petrol engine that debuted in the final BS6 version of the much-loved Volkswagen Polo. Output figures hit 114bhp @ 5,000rpm and 178Nm @ 1,750rpm while mated to a 6-speed manual or 6-speed torque converter. Ex-showroom prices range from ₹7.55 - 12.80 lakh.
Bharat NCAP Safety rating (January 2025)
Adult: 30.88/32.00 (5 Stars)
Child: 45.00/49.00 (5 Stars)
Mahindra XUV 3XO
The Mahindra XUV 3XO, rather than being just a facelifted XUV300, has introduced several first-in-segment features and set a benchmark in terms of performance. There are two 3-cylinder turbo petrol engine formats: 1.2-litre MPFI (110bhp @ 5,000rpm; 200Nm @ 1,500rpm) and 1.2-litre GDI (129bhp @ 5,000rpm; 230Nm @ 1,500rpm). These are mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter. On the other hand, the 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine generates 115bhp @ 3,750rpm and an impressive 300Nm @ 1,500rpm, coupled to either a 6-speed manual or AMT. Ex-showroom prices range from ₹7.28 - 14.40 lakh.
Bharat NCAP Safety rating (November 2024
Adult: 29.36/32.00 (5 Stars)
Child: 43.00/49.00 (5 Stars)
Honourable Mentions
Honda Amaze
Bharat NCAP Safety rating (November 2025)
Adult: 28.33/32.00 (5 Stars)
Child: 40.81/49.00 (4 Stars)
Nissan Magnite
Global NCAP Safety rating (July 2025)
Adult: 32.31/34.00 (5 Stars)
Child: 33.64/49.00 (3 Stars)
Citroen Aircross (5-seater)
Bharat NCAP Safety rating (September 2025)
Adult: 27.05/32.00 (5 Stars)
Child: 40.00/49.00 (4 Stars)
Prevention is (Still) Better Than Cure
A 5-star NCAP rating is never a sole indicator of true vehicle safety, but rather a rough representation of how a vehicle chassis and passengers inside would react to a fairly common manner of impact. Real safety arrives from good driving discipline, compliance with traffic laws and the inherent performance parameters of that specific vehicle (braking, steering feedback, suspension dynamics, kerb weight, weight distribution, throttle response, etc.). For instance, a vehicle with a low safety rating but equipped with strong brakes and optimally damped suspension would naturally be better at avoiding an accident compared to a 5-star NCAP car with poor braking and ‘boat-like’ driving dynamics. Nevertheless, accidents can happen due to unpredictable external factors as well.
FAQs
1. Which NCAP formats are considered in India?
Global NCAP and Bharat NCAP remain the most relevant safety ratings in India.
2. Do NCAP ratings apply to all variants of a car?
NCAP ratings apply to that specifically tested variant (usually the highest trim). Safety ratings can vary if lower variants lack certain safety features.
3. Can existing NCAP ratings become irrelevant over time?
NCAP ratings can vary or become invalid if testing protocols are updated or if the vehicle gets a mid-life update or a complete model change.
4. Should buyers rely only on NCAP ratings when choosing a car?
NCAP ratings should just be a consideration alongside reliability, maintenance costs, practicality and subjective demands.
5. Are NCAP ratings a hoax?
While NCAP ratings can be substantially strict or lenient depending on the country (for instance, a 5-star Bharat NCAP car may score just 2 stars in Euro NCAP), the test protocols are formulated by experts after evaluating several parameters. The testing facility itself is operated at a high standard. Actual production-spec cars are crashed and assessed. Hence, they are not a hoax.