The safety rating agency has tested and evaluated nearly 30 models and variants, ranging from hatchbacks such as Maruti Alto and VW Polo to SUVs and MPVs such as Mahindra Scorpio and Renault Lodgy. We are looking at the five safest cars (evaluated by Global NCAP) that you can buy for less than 10 lakh.

1. Tata Zest
   While the first test series of the compact Zest sedan earned it a 0-star rating, Tata was offered another opportunity and thus introduced an improved compact sedan, which was subjected to a crash test. 2016. This model earned an impressive 4 star rating. (11.15 / 17) in adult occupation and two stars in child occupation (15.52 / 49). The Tata Zest came with two airbags and a seatbelt reminder for the driver, but was later updated with ABS, EBD and cornering stability control systems.  

2. Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza
A feather in the Maruti Suzuki cap, the compact SUV Vitara Brezza received the 4-star adult occupancy rating in the latest crash test series of the Global NCAP program (12.51 out of 17). However, the SUV only managed two stars to occupy one child (17.93 out of 49), with the 18-month-old test dummy being injured in the head and shoulders. The markings for Isofix anchors did not meet the Global NCAP test protocols either. All variants of the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza are equipped with two airbags: ABS with EBD, front seat belt with pretensioners, reminder of the driver's seat belt and Isofix mountings for child seats.

3. Toyota Etios Liva
Tested by Global NCAP in 2016, the Etios Liva hatchback model was one of the few models to achieve a commendable 4-star rating for adult occupancy in its first crash test (13/16); for the occupation of children, he scored two stars (20.02 / 49). Although the Toyota Etios Liva was later updated with more safety kits, such as the ABS with EBD and Isofix seat mounts, the model tested included only front airbags and pretensioner front seat belts.

4. Volkswagen Polo
One of the first cars manufactured in India to be tested by the safety oversight body, the Volkswagen Polo without dual airbags did not score any star for adult occupancy; but the version with two airbags managed to get a solid 4-star crash test score (12.54 / 17). Both models achieved three stars for occupancy of the children, although the Polo with airbags performed slightly better than the 29.91 / 49 model 26.97 without the safety feature. Remember it was 2014 and the Polo of the day did not even have ABS, Isofix child seat mounts, or seat belt reminder. The top-of-the-range Volkswagen Polo GT TSI sold in India now has features such as traction control, ESC, hill start assist and rear parking sensors.

5. Tata Nexon
Tata's compact SUV recently earned 4 stars from the NCAP for adult occupancy (13.56 / 17) and three stars for child occupancy (25/49). After that, Tata updated all model variants with a seatbelt reminder for the driver and front passenger, and upgraded the compact SUV beyond the UN95 side impact protection requirements. The Nexon became the first model manufactured in India to achieve a 5-star rating of 16.06 / 18 in adult occupation. Global NCAP has described Nexon's hull integrity as "stable", while protecting the driver and passenger's head and neck. All Tata Nexon variants come with two airbags, ABS and Isofix child seat mountings.