By In recent years, prioritizing safety has emerged as a pivotal factor influencing car-buying decisions. Thanks to the initiatives led by Global NCAP, an organization dedicated to vehicular safety, people are now acutely conscious of the safety aspects of their future vehicle purchases. These concerted efforts by Global NCAP, in collaboration with government authorities, have yielded tangible results, leading to a significant reduction in road fatalities when compared to the preceding decade.
The Indian government has been proactive in enhancing road safety by implementing various stringent regulations that mandate safety compliance for all car models. Furthermore, a noteworthy development on the horizon is the impending launch of our indigenous vehicle testing system, known as Bharat NCAP, which is set to further bolster safety standards. In this article, we shift our focus to the top three safest sedan cars available in India, all priced under the Rs. 20 lakh threshold. These vehicles not only exemplify the evolving safety standards in the Indian automotive market but also cater to the safety-conscious consumer segment.
- Volkswagen Virtus
Volkswagen Virtus has achieved a full five-star safety rating in global NCAP. In terms of adult occupant protection, it scored an impressive 29.71 out of a possible 34 points. When it comes to child occupant protection, it garnered a commendable 42 out of 49 points. Notably, this score is only slightly higher, by a mere 0.07 points, when compared to its SUV counterparts. Testers have lauded the Virtus for their protective measures concerning the driver’s and passenger’s head and neck, rating them as ‘good.’ However, when it comes to chest protection, the assessment was slightly lower, indicating an ‘adequate’ level of safeguarding.
Under the new testing protocols, particularly in the side impact test involving a deformable barrier, the Virtus exhibited reliable protection for occupants, securing a score of 14.2 points out of a possible 17. This showcases their commitment to safety standards. In the side pole impact tests, the Virtus received an ‘OK’ rating, signifying decent performance in this regard. However, the protection offered for the chest region was found to be somewhat marginal, indicating a potential area for improvement. The Virtus price starts at Rs. 11.47 lakh (Ex-Showroom, Kochi).
2. Skoda Slavia
Skoda Slavia has recently undergone comprehensive safety assessments and scored a full five-star safety rating. When evaluating adult occupant protection, it achieved an impressive score of 29.71 out of a possible 34 points. In the realm of child occupant protection, it garnered a commendable 42 out of 49 points. It’s noteworthy that this score stands just 0.07 points higher than that of its SUV counterparts. Testers have applauded the Slavia for its protective features designed for the driver’s and passenger’s head and neck, granting them a ‘good’ rating. However, the evaluation of chest protection yielded a slightly lower rating, suggesting that the level of safeguarding is ‘adequate.’
Under the latest testing protocols, particularly in the side impact test involving a deformable barrier, both the Slavia and Virtus demonstrated a strong commitment to occupant protection, earning a score of 14.2 points out of a possible 17. This underscores their dedication to upholding rigorous safety standards. In the side pole impact tests, both midsize sedans received an ‘OK’ rating, indicating respectable performance in this aspect. Nevertheless, the level of chest region protection was deemed somewhat marginal, indicating room for potential improvement. The starting price for the Slavia is Rs. 10.89 lakh (Ex-Showroom, Kochi).
3. Hyundai Verna
Hyundai Verna is the latest model to get a full star safety rating in the crash test. The Verna achieved a commendable total score of 28.18 points out of a possible 34 in adult occupant protection. However, the test did raise concerns about the bodyshell’s stability, which was deemed unstable and not capable of withstanding further loadings. Nevertheless, the Verna offered good protection to the heads and necks of both the driver and the passengers during frontal impact testing, although the driver’s chest protection was rated as marginal. In contrast, passenger chest protection earned a good rating. In the child occupant protection segment, the Verna notched an impressive 42 out of 49 possible points. This score encompasses a perfect 12 out of 12 points for Child Restraint System (CRS) installation and a full 24 points in the dynamic score category.
During testing, the Verna was subjected to crash scenarios with dummies representing an 18-month-old and a 3-year-old child, both in rear-facing seats. These seats were secured using i-size anchorages and a support leg, which effectively prevented head exposure during frontal crashes. The CRS also provided complete side impact protection. Hyundai is offering the Verna with 6-airbags as standard which makes it even more impressive as it makes the sedan even more safer. The Verna price starts at Rs. 10.96 lakh (Ex-Showroom, Kochi).
