Maruti Suzuki Victoris To Skoda Kylaq: Top 5 Safest ICE SUVs Under Bharat NCAP

Maruti Suzuki Victoris Price: Bharat NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme), which evaluates the safety of vehicles sold in India, has tested over 20 different models since its inception in 2023. Almost all of them received a perfect 5-star rating in crash tests, with cars standing out in one or more of the four areas tested – adult protection, child protection, vulnerable road users, and safety assist systems & tech.

While BNCAP has tested more than 20 passenger vehicles so far, we have compiled a list of the top 5 safest ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) SUVs in India, as rated by the government-backed testing body. Take a look:

Maruti Suzuki Victoris (5 Stars)

The latest SUV to join the bandwagon is the Maruti Suzuki Victoris. Having scored 5 stars in both Bharat NCAP and Global NCAP crash tests, the Victoris is one of the safest SUVs in India. The Hyundai Creta-rivalling Victoris earned 5 stars in both adult and child occupant protection, securing 31.66/32 points and 43/49 points, respectively. Although the Victoris is mechanically similar to the Grand Vitara, the former offers more safety features, including a 360-degree camera and a Level 2 ADAS suite.

Skoda Kylaq (5 Stars)

The Kylaq is the entry point to the Skoda India lineup and features a 113bhp turbo-petrol engine with a choice of a 6-speed manual and an automatic gearbox. Equipped with 6 airbags, 3-point seatbelts with reminders for all, ISOFIX mounts, traction control, and ESC, the Kylaq got a 5-star rating in both adult (30.88/32) and child occupant protection (45/49).

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Kia Syros (5 Stars)

The Syros, which comes in petrol-MT, petrol-AT, diesel-MT, and diesel-AT powertrain options, is Kia's second compact SUV, positioned above the Sonet. It earned 30.21/32 in adult safety and 44.42/49 points in child safety, becoming the brand's first SUV to score a 5-star rating under Bharat NCAP. The Syros is based on the Sonet's K1 platform and comes standard with 6 airbags, a tyre pressure monitor, and ABS with EBD. It also offers Level 2 ADAS with 16 features.

Mahindra XUV 3XO (5 Stars)

The Mahindra XUV 3XO, the facelifted version of the XUV300, scored 29.36/32 in adult and 43/48 in child safety. The rating applies to the entire model lineup; however, the MX2 and the AX7 L variants of the SUV were tested under Bharat NCAP. While higher-spec variants get Level 2 ADAS, Mahindra offers 6 airbags, 3-point seatbelts with reminders, ISOFIX mounts, ESC, and a passenger-side airbag cut-off switch across all variants. The model features turbo-petrol, TGDi, and diesel engine options under the hood. 

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Tata Nexon (5 Stars)

The Tata Nexon compact SUV's 29.41 points in adult safety and 43.83 points in child safety led Bharat NCAP to award it with 5 stars. The Nexon offers a blend of a modern, rugged-looking exterior, well-balanced performance, and a feature-loaded cabin. It prioritises safety with six airbags, ABS with EBD, ESC, hill hold control, rear parking sensors, and ISOFIX mounts, all standard with the model.