Awareness about car safety is rapidly increasing in India, and Bharat NCAP crash tests are playing a crucial role in this shift. Recently, the Tata Sierra received a 5-star safety rating, making it a strong contender in its segment. Interestingly, its competitors—the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Citroën C3 Aircross, and Citroën Basalt—have also undergone crash testing.
Let’s compare the safety performance of these four SUVs to understand which one is the safest choice.
Tata Sierra
The Tata Sierra stands out as a strong safety performer, securing a 5-star rating in both adult and child occupant protection.
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Adult Occupant Protection: 31.14 / 32
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Frontal Offset Test: 15.14 (good protection for head, neck, pelvis, and legs)
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Side Impact Test: 16 / 16
The SUV also performed exceptionally well in child safety, scoring 44.73 out of 49, earning a full 5-star rating. This makes it a highly reliable option for families.
Bharat NCAP Crash Test Results: Comparison
| Model | Adult Occupant (/32) | Child Occupant (/49) | Star Rating (Adult / Child) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tata Sierra | 31.14 | 44.73 | 5 stars / 5 stars |
| Maruti Suzuki Victoris | 31.66 | 43 | 5 stars / 5 stars |
| Citroen C3 Aircross | 27.05 | 40 | 5 stars / 4 stars |
| Citron Basalt | 26.19 | 35.90 | 4 stars / 4 stars |
Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara
The Grand Vitara also delivered an impressive performance:
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Adult Occupant Protection: 31.66 / 32
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Frontal Offset Test: 15.66
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Side Impact Test: 16 / 16
It received a 5-star rating for both adult and child safety, with a child occupant score of 43 points. It even achieved full marks in dynamic and installation child safety tests, making it a dependable family SUV.
Citroën C3 Aircross
The Citroën C3 Aircross offers balanced safety performance:
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Adult Occupant Protection: 27.05 (5-star rating)
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Frontal Offset Test: 11.05 (lower than rivals)
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Side Impact Test: 16 / 16
In child occupant protection, it scored 40 points, earning a 4-star rating. While overall safety is good, its relatively lower frontal crash performance puts it slightly behind the top contenders.
Citroën Basalt
The Citroën Basalt ranks last in this comparison:
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Adult Occupant Protection: 26.19 (4-star rating)
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Frontal Offset Test: 10.19
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Side Impact Test: 16 / 16
It scored 35.90 points in child occupant protection, resulting in a 4-star rating. While still reasonably safe, it doesn’t match the performance of the other SUVs in this list.
Who Is the Safest?
Based on the overall scores, both the Tata Sierra and Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara emerge as the safest options. They excel in both adult and child occupant protection.
The Sierra slightly edges ahead in overall safety perception, while the Grand Vitara remains very close with equally strong performance. The C3 Aircross is a decent option but falls behind due to weaker frontal crash results. Meanwhile, the Basalt ranks lowest among the four.
Safety has become a key factor for car buyers in India, and Bharat NCAP ratings are helping consumers make informed decisions. This comparison clearly shows that if safety is your top priority, the Tata Sierra and Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara are the strongest choices in this segment.
