Safest Cars Under 10 Lakhs in India (2026 NCAP Ratings)

Why this list matters

For decades, Indian car buyers chose cars based on mileage and price. Safety was an afterthought. That mindset has cost lives — India has one of the highest road fatality rates in the world.

Bharat NCAP and Global NCAP changed that. These independent crash tests show exactly how well a car protects you in a real accident. A 5-star car is not "a little better" than a 3-star car — it is dramatically safer. The difference between a 5-star and a 2-star car can literally be life or death in a crash.

This list includes only cars that have been crash-tested and scored 4 stars or above. If a car is not on this list, either it has not been tested, or it scored poorly.

The 5-star cars under 10 lakhs

1. Tata Punch — ₹6.00 to ₹10.00 lakhs

The Tata Punch is India's safest micro-SUV. It scored 5 stars for adult occupant protection and 4 stars for child occupant protection in Global NCAP testing. The body structure was rated "stable" — meaning it held together well in a crash.

Safety features (standard):

• 6 airbags (dual front, side, curtain)
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• ISOFIX child seat anchors
• ABS with EBD
• Reverse parking sensors

Why it is safe:
The Punch is built on Tata's ALFA platform, which was designed with crash safety as a priority. The high-strength steel body shell absorbs impact energy effectively. In the frontal offset crash test, the dummy's chest and head were well protected.

Who should buy this:
Families with young children who want SUV practicality without compromising safety. The compact size makes it easy to drive in the city, but the safety ratings are full-size SUV level.

2. Tata Nexon — ₹8.00 to ₹10.00 lakhs (base variants under 10L)

The Tata Nexon was the first Indian-made car to achieve a 5-star Global NCAP rating, and it has held that rating through multiple retests. Both the petrol and CNG versions scored 5 stars for adult protection.

Safety features (standard):

• 6 airbags
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• Hill Hold Control
• ISOFIX child seat anchors
• Rear parking camera
• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

Why it is safe:
The Nexon's body structure uses high-strength steel in critical crumple zones. In the side-impact crash test, the curtain airbags deployed correctly and protected the dummies' heads. The footwell area remained intact, protecting the driver's legs.

Who should buy this:
Buyers who want a compact SUV with proven safety, available in petrol, diesel, CNG, and EV. The Nexon's safety record is backed by years of real-world crash data, not just lab tests.

3. Maruti Suzuki Dzire (2024 model) — ₹6.79 to ₹10.14 lakhs

Maruti Suzuki finally took safety seriously with the 2024 Dzire. It scored 5 stars in Global NCAP testing — a massive improvement over the older Dzire, which scored poorly. The new model has 6 airbags as standard and a significantly stronger body structure.

Safety features (standard):

• 6 airbags
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• Hill Hold Assist
• ISOFIX child seat anchors
• ABS with EBD

Why it is safe:
The 2024 Dzire uses Maruti's new Heartect platform, which is far stiffer than the older platform. In crash tests, the A-pillar (the roof support next to the windscreen) did not bend, which means the cabin stayed intact.

Who should buy this:
Sedan buyers who want Maruti's service network and reliability but refuse to compromise on safety. The Dzire is also fuel-efficient and practical.

The 4-star cars under 10 lakhs

4. Tata Altroz — ₹6.65 to ₹10.00 lakhs

The Tata Altroz scored 5 stars for adult protection and 3 stars for child protection in Global NCAP testing. Bharat NCAP rated it highly as well. It is one of the safest hatchbacks you can buy in India.

Safety features (standard):

• 6 airbags (in higher variants; base has 2)
• ABS with EBD
• Rear parking sensors
• ISOFIX child seat anchors

Why it is safe:
The Altroz uses the same ALFA platform as the Punch. The body shell is extremely rigid. In the crash test, the steering column did not intrude into the cabin, which protects the driver's chest.

Who should buy this:
Hatchback buyers who prioritize safety. The Altroz is more spacious than it looks and has a premium feel to the interiors.

5. Mahindra XUV300 — ₹7.99 to ₹13.46 lakhs (base variant under 10L in some states)

The Mahindra XUV300 scored 5 stars for adult protection and 4 stars for child protection. It was one of the first Indian cars to achieve this rating and still holds up well.

Safety features (standard):

• Dual front airbags (6 airbags in higher variants)
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• Hill Hold Control
• ISOFIX child seat anchors
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

Why it is safe:
The XUV300 is based on a SsangYong platform that was originally designed for European crash standards. The build quality is excellent, and the doors feel solid when you shut them — a sign of good structural integrity.

Who should buy this:
Buyers who want a compact SUV with segment-leading safety features. The XUV300 also has the best diesel engine in this segment, making it great for highway driving.

What the crash tests actually measure

A lot of people say "my car feels solid" or "the doors make a good thud when I close them." That is not how safety works. NCAP tests measure specific things:

Adult Occupant Protection

• Frontal offset crash at 64 km/h: Does the seatbelt and airbag protect the chest and head?
• Side-impact crash: Do the curtain airbags deploy? Does the door intrude into the cabin?
• Whiplash test: Does the seat protect your neck in a rear-end collision?

Child Occupant Protection

• Are ISOFIX anchors provided?
• Does a child seat installed correctly protect a child dummy in a crash?

Safety Assist

• Is ESC (Electronic Stability Control) standard?
• Are there seatbelt reminders for all seats?

A 5-star rating means the car performed well across all these tests. A 2-star or 3-star car failed in one or more areas — usually because the body structure collapsed or the airbags did not deploy correctly.

Why 6 airbags matter

Before October 2023, many budget cars had only 2 airbags (driver and front passenger). In a side-impact crash — one of the most common crash types — those 2 airbags do nothing. The side airbags and curtain airbags are what protect you in a T-bone collision.

All cars sold after October 2023 must have 6 airbags minimum. If you are buying a used car from before 2023, check how many airbags it has. A car with only 2 airbags is significantly less safe, no matter what the manufacturer claims.

The verdict

If safety is your top priority and your budget is under 10 lakhs, buy one of the 5-star cars on this list. The Tata Punch and Nexon have the best combination of safety, practicality, and value.

If you prefer a hatchback, the Tata Altroz is the safest choice.

If you need a sedan, the Maruti Dzire 2024 is the only safe option — but make sure you are buying the new model, not the older one, which scored poorly.

Do not assume a car is safe just because it is expensive or because the company is reputable. Check the NCAP rating. If the rating is not public, assume the car has not been tested — and that usually means it would not score well.