Safety in the Indian automotive space is now a bigger buzzword than ever, and institutions like Global NCAP and Bharat NCAP have further helped to bolster this with rigorous and methodical crash testing of vehicles. Consumers today can make an informed purchase thanks to safety ratings from GNCAP or BNCAP. Here, we have compiled a list of the top five safest sedans in India, based on Global NCAP ratings. Only one of these sedans has a Bharat NCAP safety rating, which is why we have used GNCAP ratings as the basis for the ranking.
Maruti Suzuki Dzire
Global NCAP rating: 5 stars, AOP: 31.24/32, COP: 39.20/49
The Maruti Dzire was the brand’s first vehicle to secure a 5-star safety rating from Global NCAP in November 2024, and later, it also secured a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating. The Dzire achieved scores of 31.24/32 and 39.20/49 in AOP and COP, respectively, making it the safest sedan in India currently. GNCAP stated that head, neck and knee protection for driver and passenger was good, while chest protection was marginal for the former and adequate for the latter. The bodyshell of the car was found stable, similar to the footwell area, and could support extra loads. Standard safety kit on the Dzire includes six airbags, ABS with EBD, and ESC.
Volkswagen Virtus
Global NCAP rating: 5 stars, AOP: 29.71/34, COP: 42/49
The Volkswagen Virtus has a 5-star safety rating from Global NCAP, with 29.71/34 points for adult occupant protection and 42/49 points for child occupant protection. GNCAP noted that the bodyshell and the footwell area of the sedan were stable under impact and capable of withstanding further loadings. The Virtus earned 14.2 points out of a possible 17 in the side impact test with a deformable barrier, and received an ‘OK’ in the side pole impact tests. The Virtus comes equipped with dual airbags, ESC, traction control and ISOFIX child seat mounts as standard.
Skoda Slavia
Global NCAP rating: 5 stars, AOP: 29.71/34, COP: 42/49
The Skoda Slavia is a platform sibling to the Volkswagen Virtus, and as such, they both have an identical Global NCAP safety rating. The AOP and COP scores are the same, and so is the list of standard safety equipment. Like the Virtus, the Slavia offers good protection to most body parts of both driver and front passenger, but chest protection was recorded as adequate for both; protection to the driver’s knees was also only adequate. Additionally, in the side impact test with a deformable barrier, the Slavia showed adequate protection for the driver’s head, chest and hip regions.
Hyundai Verna
Global NCAP rating: 5 stars, AOP: 28.18/34, COP: 42/49
The Verna was the Korean brand’s first made-in-India model to get a 5-star rating at the Global NCAP crash tests. It scored 28.18/34 points for adult occupant protection and 42/49 points for child occupant protection. In the side pole impact test, the Verna was rated ‘OK’, but the body shell was rated unstable and not capable of withstanding further loadings. The Verna comes equipped with six airbags, ESC, ISOFIX mounts and seat belt reminders for all seats as standard. The Verna was also tested for ESC performance, with the result being acceptable as per Global NCAP’s requirements.
Tata Tigor
Global NCAP rating: 4 stars, AOP: 12.52/17, COP: 34.15/49
The last model to feature in this list of safest sedans in India is the Tata Tigor. The Tigor secured a 4-star safety rating for AOP and a 3-star rating for COP, but do note this was under the less stringent Global NCAP testing protocol that was in effect till June 2022. It was, therefore, not tested for ESC compliance or side impact tests. It scored 12.52/17 points in AOP and 34.15/49 points in COP. However, the Tigor’s body shell integrity was rated unstable and not capable of withstanding further loading.
