Cars with the Best Global NCAP Ratings in India

Author: Abhinand Venugopal•Published on: 1/19/2026•9 Minutes

Overview:5-star NCAP safety ratings have become a great marketing tool lately. Global NCAP safety ratings were the norm once, but now, Bharat NCAP ratings have taken over in India. However, actual vehicle safety cannot be defined by just NCAP ratings. Crash safety ratings showcase only a rough indication of how a vehicle behaves in standard testing procedures. Let us explore the cars with the Best Global NCAP Ratings in India!

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Key Highlights

NCAP crash tests are not mandatory in most countries and are voluntarily conducted by manufacturers.
A 5-star NCAP crash safety rating can never promise total automotive safety in an accident.
Bharat NCAP cannot be considered inferior to Global NCAP, just because it is aligned to Indian products and driving conditions.

Today, there are several iterations of NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme) safety ratings. The Indian automotive industry currently follows Bharat NCAP and still to an extent, Global NCAP. High NCAP ratings have developed from being an indication of safety to a great marketing tool. Contrary to popular belief, NCAP crash tests are not mandated by law. Manufacturers voluntarily send their latest products for assessment. Let us explore cars with the best Global NCAP safety ratings (both Adult Occupant Protection and Child Occupant Protection), currently on sale in India.

Tata Punch

The Tata Punch is one of the most successful cars in the Indian automaker’s history. It could also become the best-selling car of 2024 (including EV variants), a title previously reserved for entry-level Maruti Suzuki products. The raised hatchback is powered by a 1.2-litre three-cylinder NA petrol engine making 87bhp @ 6,000rpm and 115Nm @ 3,150rpm, while mated to a 5-speed manual or AMT. Its CNG variant is good for 72bhp @ 6,000rpm and 103Nm @ 3,250rpm. Ex-showroom prices range from ₹5.50-9.30 lakh.

Global NCAP Safety rating (October 2021; older protocols)

Adult: 16.45/17.00 (5 Stars)

Child: 40.89/49.00 (4 Stars)

Tata Nexon

The Tata Nexon compact crossover 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 make 98.59bhp @ 5,000rpm and 170Nm @ 1,750rpm from a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged unit (India’s first ‘Turbo CNG’), solely mated to a 6-speed manual. On the other hand, 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.

Global NCAP Safety rating (February 2024)

Adult: 32.22/34.00 (5 Stars)

Child: 44.52/49.00 (5 Stars)

Tata Harrier / Safari

Tata Motors developed the 5-seater Harrier and 7-seater Safari crossovers from a modified version of Land Rover’s proven D8 platform, dubbed OMEGARC (or Optimal Modular Efficient Global Advanced Architecture). In the current BS6 Phase II format, there are two 4-cylinder engine choices: 1.5-litre Hyperion Turbo GDI petrol (168bhp @ 5,000rpm; 280Nm @ 1,750rpm) and 2.0-litre Kryotec diesel (167bhp @ 3,750rpm; 350Nm @ 1,750rpm). Both variants are offered with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter. Ex-showroom prices range from ₹14.76-29.95 lakh and ₹17.38-30.79 lakh.

Global NCAP Safety rating (October 2023)

Adult: 32.22/34.00 (5 Stars)

Child: 44.52/49.00 (5 Stars)

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

The Maruti Suzuki Dzire, now in its 4th generation, is arguably the best subcompact sedan on the Indian market. Unlike before, it looks totally different to its hatchback sibling Swift. The car 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) are good for 69bhp @ 5,700rpm and 101.8Nm @ 2,900rpm. Ex-showroom prices range from ₹6.26-9.31 lakh.

Global NCAP Safety rating (November 2024)

Adult: 31.24/34.00 (5 Stars)

Child: 39.20/49.00 (4 Stars)

Maruti Suzuki Victoris (Strong Hybrid)

The all-new Maruti Suzuki Victoris shares its platform with the familiar Grand Vitara and Toyota’s Urban Cruiser Hyryder. There are three NA petrol engine choices: K15C (petrol+CNG), K15C Smart Hybrid and M15D Strong Hybrid (the one tested). The Toyota-sourced Atkinson-cycle 1.5-litre 3-cylinder NA petrol engine generates 91.18bhp @ 5,500rpm and 122Nm @ 3,800rpm. This is coupled to a 177.6V hybrid unit (can run in pure EV mode), generating 78.9bhp and 141Nm. The combined power output is roughly 115bhp. The Victoris Strong Hybrid is equipped with an e-CVT. Ex-showroom prices range from ₹10.49-19.99 lakh.

Global NCAP Safety rating (September 2025)

Adult: 33.05/34.00 (5 Stars)

Child: 45.00/49.00 (5 Stars)

Hyundai Verna

The Indian car market has a dearth of choices in the sub-20-lakh sedan category. However, the Hyundai Verna remains a prominent player. It is not offered in diesel format anymore. Instead, the sedan gets two petrol variants: 1.5-litre MPi NA 4-cylinder (6-speed manual or CVT) and 1.5-litre Turbo GDi 4-cylinder (6-speed manual or 7-speed DCT). The former makes 113.43bhp @ 6,300rpm and 143.8Nm @ 4,500rpm, while the latter churns out 157.81bhp @ 5,500rpm and 253Nm @ 1,500rpm. Ex-showroom prices range from ₹10.69-16.98 lakh.

Global NCAP Safety rating (October 2023)

Adult: 28.18/34.00 (5 Stars)

Child: 42.00/49.00 (5 Stars)

Volkswagen Virtus / Skoda Slavia

Based on Skoda Auto Volkswagen India’s MQB A0 IN platform, the Volkswagen Virtus and Skoda Slavia sedans are virtually identical, except for front- and rear-end styling, wheels and a few interior bits. There are two turbo petrol engine choices: 1.0 TSI 3-cylinder (114bhp @ 5,000rpm; 178Nm @ 1,750rpm; 6-speed manual or 6-speed torque converter) and 1.5 TSI EVO 4-cylinder (147.5bhp @ 5,000rpm; 250Nm @ 1,600rpm; 6-speed manual or 7-speed DCT). Ex-showroom prices range from ₹10.14-18.78 lakh and ₹9.99-17.99 lakh.

Global NCAP Safety rating (April 2023)

Adult: 29.71/34.00 (5 Stars)

Child: 42.00/49.00 (5 Stars)

Volkswagen Taigun / Skoda Kushaq

Back in March 2021, the Skoda Kushaq became the first product under Skoda Auto Volkswagen India’s ‘India 2.0 Project’. The Volkswagen Taigun, based on the same MQB A0 IN architecture, followed in September 2021. Both compact crossovers come with two turbo petrol engine options (exactly like their sedan counterparts): 1.0 TSI 3-cylinder (114bhp @ 5,000rpm; 178Nm @ 1,750rpm; 6-speed manual or 6-speed torque converter) and 1.5 TSI EVO 4-cylinder (147.5bhp @ 5,000rpm; 250Nm @ 1,600rpm; 6-speed manual or 7-speed DCT). Ex-showroom prices range from ₹10.58-19.19 lakh and ₹10.66-18.49 lakh.

Global NCAP Safety rating (October 2022)

Adult: 29.64/34.00 (5 Stars)

Child: 42.00/49.00 (5 Stars)

Bharat NCAP Ratings

Bharat NCAP, as the name suggests, is the nation’s own safety rating standard approved by the Government of India. Unlike Global NCAP (which is aimed at multiple emerging markets), Bharat NCAP tests are done with reference to Indian driving conditions and regulations. Bharat NCAP is not necessarily inferior to Global NCAP. Instead, it is much more aligned to Indian roads and car characteristics. Here are the cars with the highest Bharat NCAP ratings as of 2025:

Maruti Suzuki Invicto / Toyota Innova Hycross

Bharat NCAP Safety rating (September 2025 / June 2025)

Adult: 30.43/32.00; 30.47/32,00 (5 Stars)

Child: 45.00/49.00; 45.00/49.00 (5 Stars)

Maruti Suzuki e-Vitara

Bharat NCAP Safety rating (December 2025)

Adult: 31.49/32.00 (5 Stars)

Child: 43.00/49.00 (5 Stars)

Tata Punch.EV

Bharat NCAP Safety rating (May 2024)

Adult: 31.46/32.00 (5 Stars)

Child: 45.00/49.00 (5 Stars)

Tata Altroz

Bharat NCAP Safety rating (September 2025)

Adult: 29.65/32.00 (5 Stars)

Child: 44.90/49.00 (5 Stars)

Tata Nexon.EV

Bharat NCAP Safety rating (May 2024)

Adult: 29.86/32.00 (5 Stars)

Child: 44.95/49.00 (5 Stars)

Tata Curvv

Bharat NCAP Safety rating (October 2024)

Adult: 29.50/32.00 (5 Stars)

Child: 43.66/49.00 (5 Stars)

Tata Curvv.EV

Bharat NCAP Safety rating (October 2024)

Adult: 30.81/32.00 (5 Stars)

Child: 44.83/49.00 (5 Stars)

Tata Harrier.EV

Bharat NCAP Safety rating (June 2025)

Adult: 32.00/32.00 (5 Stars)

Child: 45.00/49.00 (5 Stars)

Kia Syros

Bharat NCAP Safety rating (April 2025)

Adult: 30.21/32.00 (5 Stars)

Child: 44.42/49.00 (5 Stars)

Mahindra XEV 9e

Bharat NCAP Safety rating (January 2025)

Adult: 32.00/32.00 (5 Stars)

Child: 45.00/49.00 (5 Stars)

Mahindra BE 6

Bharat NCAP Safety rating (January 2025)

Adult: 31.97/32.00 (5 Stars)

Child: 45.00/49.00 (5 Stars)

Mahindra Thar Roxx

Bharat NCAP Safety rating (November 2024)

Adult: 31.09/32.00 (5 Stars)

Child: 45.00/49.00 (5 Stars)

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Bharat NCAP Safety rating (November 2024)

Adult: 29.36/32.00 (5 Stars)

Child: 43.00/49.00 (5 Stars)

Skoda Kylaq

Bharat NCAP Safety rating (January 2025)

Adult: 30.88/32.00 (5 Stars)

Child: 45.00/49.00 (5 Stars)

An Indication Rather than Certainty

A high NCAP rating can never be the sole indicator of complete vehicle safety. It is just a technical representation and scoring system of how a vehicle behaves in a simulated impact. True automotive safety is a result of great driving discipline, traffic-law compliance and performance parameters of that specific vehicle (braking, steering precision, suspension damping, kerb weight, weight distribution, etc.). For instance, a car with a poor NCAP score but a 50:50 weight distribution and strong brakes would be better at avoiding an impact in comparison to a 5-star NCAP car with weak driving dynamics.

FAQs

1, Are NCAP ratings the same worldwide?
Even if the testing principles are similar, protocols and scoring criteria vary across regions. Hence, NCAP ratings are not always directly comparable.

2. Which organisations conduct NCAP tests?
Different regions have their own NCAP bodies, such as Global NCAP, Bharat NCAP, Latin NCAP, ASEAN NCAP, Euro NCAP, etc. Euro NCAP is often considered the strictest and comprehensive.

3. Are NCAP ratings mandatory for car sales?
NCAP ratings are not mandatory and are voluntarily done by manufacturers. However, 5-star safety ratings have become a great marketing tool lately.

4. Can the same vehicle have different NCAP ratings?
The same vehicle may receive different NCAP crash safety ratings in different regions due to varying test protocols and model equipment levels (based on target pricing or local regulations).

5. Are older NCAP ratings still valid?
Older ratings may not reflect current expectations, as testing protocols and standard vehicle safety features improve over time. It’s best to compare cars tested in the same year.