Tata Nexon secures 5-star Global NCAP rating under new protocol

The Tata Nexon has added another feather in its cap by securing a 5-star rating from Global NCAP yet again, albeit under the more stringent norms that came into effect in 2022; the compact SUV had previously scored a 5-star rating in Global NCAP in 2018. The Nexon facelift that was launched in September 2023 was a part of the last batch of vehicles sent to the road safety organisation, along with the Harrier and Safari facelifts.

Speaking to Autocar India, Mohan Savarkar, chief product officer, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, said that these tests were already planned for and in the pipeline. "And we are also considering participating in the BNCAP tests," he said. To note, the Harrier and Safari had been been tested by Bharat NCAP and received 5-star ratings in those crash tests as well. 

This 5-star GNCAP rating is vaild for Nexons made after August 8, 2023, and for the ICE versions only. The Nexon EV could also likely be crash tested as Savarkar mentioned, "That is also something we are considering."  

1. Tata Nexon secures 5 stars for adult and child occupancy
2. Scores slightly lower than the Harrier and Safari
3. Meets UN127 and GTR9 requirements for pedestrian protection

Tata Nexon Global NCAP rating explained

Global NCAP says that the Nexon has achieved the second highest score ever for adult and child occupant safety in its ‘Safer Cars For India’ campaign that began 10 years ago. Despite the more stringent norms, the Nexon was awarded 32.22 points (out of a max of 34) for adult occupancy protection (AOP), and 44.52 (out of 49) for child occupancy protection (COP), which has resulted in the 5-star rating.

In the front impact, side impact and side pole impact tests, the Nexon provided at least adequate protection in all aspects, except for the chest area in the side pole test. More importantly, the Nexon facelift betters its predecessor’s child occupancy score by a large margin; the Nexon was given 3 stars for COP in 2018. For both the 3-year-old and 18-month-old dummies, the Nexon was said to provide almost full protection in the front impact tests, and offer full side impact protection.

For reference, the Harrier and Safari facelifts also received 5 stars for AOP and COP, with scores of 33.05 points and 45 points, respectively in Global NCAP's tests. As mentioned above, both SUVs also achieved a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating.

Tata Nexon safety features

With the facelift, the Nexon range gets six airbags, ESC, seatbelt reminders, ISOFIX anchors and a passenger airbag disabling switch as standard, and these have helped it achieve this result. In addition, Global NCAP also said Tata’s compact SUV meets UN127 and GTR9 requirements for pedestrian protection.