Less than a week ago, Global NCAP (New Car Assessment Program) released the crash-test results for the Tata Altroz. By pipping the Nexon on points, the upcoming hatchback claimed the title of the safest made-in- and made-for-India car. Unfortunately, that crown has just been taken away by the Mahindra XUV300. Like the Altroz, the subcompact SUV scored five stars for adult safety. Unlike Tata’s premium hatchback, which received three-star safety rating for children, the SsangYong Tivoli-based SUV bagged four stars. Here’s the video:

On the points front, the XUV300 scored 16.42 out of a possible 17 for adult occupants safety. Here, the Altroz got 16.13 and the Nexon, which went through the same crash tests in August 2018, bagged 16.06. For child occupants, the Mahindra scored 37.44 on a scale of 49 (Altroz – 29; Nexon – 25). In India, the XUV300 is a direct rival for the Tata Nexon. Hence, it is only logical to compare their scores.

The test mule used for this crash-test study packed a few safety gizmos, such as dual airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, seatbelt reminder for front occupants, ISOFIX anchorages and four-channel ABS. Global NCAP reports that in the event of a crash, the XUV300 provided good overall protection to the front passenger. The driver’s dummy too showed similar results. Only the chest and feet received adequate protection.

Following its standard practice, Global NCAP took two child dummies – a 3-year-old and an 18-month-old. Thanks to compatible CRS (Child Restraint System) and ISOFIX with top tether points, both received good protection. The overall score in this segment would have been higher if the SUV came with three-point seatbelts in all positions. Something that did work in the vehicle’s favour is the ability to turn off the front passenger-side airbag for a rearward-facing CRS.

The Mahindra XUV300 becomes only the third made-in-India car to receive a five-star safety rating for adult occupants. However, it is the first one to secure a four-star rating for child safety. Bravo, Mahindra!