5-Star Bharat NCAP Cars in India: The Safest Cars You Can Buy Right Now
Car safety has become a top priority for Indian buyers, and the Bharat NCAP (BNCAP) programme — launched by the Indian government in 2023 — is helping them make informed decisions. The programme conducts standardised crash tests and assigns safety ratings from one to five stars. Of the 21 cars tested so far, here are five that have earned the highest 5-star rating.
1. Tata Punch EV
The Tata Punch EV was among the first electric cars to be tested under Bharat NCAP, earning a 5-star rating in May 2024. Standard safety features include six airbags, Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), hill-hold control, ISOFIX child seat anchors, rear parking sensors, and a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS).
2. Tata Harrier EV
The Tata Harrier EV earned a 5-star rating in the June 2024 Bharat NCAP tests, making it one of the highest-scoring cars tested under the programme. Safety equipment includes six airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), three-point seatbelts, a seatbelt reminder system, and ISOFIX child seat anchors.
3. Mahindra BE 6
The Mahindra BE 6 received a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating in January 2025. Although the test was conducted on the top-spec Pack Three trim, the rating applies to all variants of the electric SUV. Safety features across the range include six airbags, a rear camera, parking sensors, and TPMS.
4. Maruti Suzuki Invicto
Bharat NCAP announced the results for Maruti Suzuki’s Invicto — a midsize SUV and sister model to the Grand Vitara — on September 3, 2024. It earned a 5-star rating. Standard safety equipment includes six airbags, three-point seatbelts with reminders for all passengers, ESC, and ISOFIX anchors. The tested trims — ZX+ and ZX+(O) — additionally featured a full ADAS suite.
5. Mahindra XEV 9e
The Mahindra XEV 9e was tested alongside the BE 6 and earned a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating. It is the first car on this list to achieve a perfect score of 32/32 in the Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) category — a notable milestone. The 5-star rating applies to the entire XEV 9e range. Safety features available from the base Pack One trim include six airbags, ISOFIX child seat anchors, rear disc brakes, and TPMS.
