Which are India's safest cars?

moralfibre · 24th August 2005, 10:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by nishant_kingpin

Even though its great that you are a safe driver...but remember most of the times it may not be your mistake when you end up with a crash.

In this scenario I would love to be in a FIAT Palio/Petra/Adventure/Siena....

typeOnegative · 24th August 2005, 12:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by moralfibre

In this scenario I would love to be in a FIAT Palio/Petra/Adventure/Siena....

Oh no. Not again ....

But yeah, I concur.

man23ish · 24th August 2005, 15:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manoj

Don't be so optimistic about Tata Safari, Recently in kerala there had an accident between a TATA Safari and a TATA truck, The three passengers on the TATA Safari was dead on the spot. Unfortunately this accident was a preplanned one the POLICE is behind the culprits...

Oh okay, in that case, i vote for the TATA truck.. heh heh just kidding..

The X Factor · 24th August 2005, 23:27

I'm eagerly awatin Volvo's launch in India, hope they dont

compromise on safety , since thats one of their ESP of being one

of the safest car manufacturer in the world.

As amongst the current cars must be the Skodas.

aseem · 24th August 2005, 23:43

I am not so sure about Volvo being the safest cars of the world. Sweden has had one of the bigges recalls of cars in the past with S 80. It was famous there as the death car.

Steeroid · 25th August 2005, 00:02

I FEEL very safe in the Safari, but how much of that feeling translates into actual safety on the road is not known. The Safari SHOULD have been crash-tested since it sells in Europe and Australia where they cant sell without revealing safety ratings. It does come with very strong side impact bars (which weigh a ton), anti-sub seats, collapsible steering etc but then its a 10 lakh car that doesnt come with ABS (neither does the Skoda at 2 lakhs more).

HOWEVER, I think this arguement is pointless for ONE reason - as long as we have roads that arent built to any safety standards (unmarked humps, unexpected dips, blind curves on national highways, no proper drainage or lighting, etc) or drivers who are totally indisciplined and totally inconsiderate it doesnt matter what car you drive - you're still in danger.

Safety on our roads is not the sole responsibility of the car manufacturers - let the government do its bit by enforcing some rules, starting with the number of headlamps you are supposed to have on a vehicle, auto-dippers, WORKING tail lamps, NO airhorns etc and also by penalising boorish behaviour on the roads. We have quite a few dual-carriage highways, but whats the point - with the kind of A*****ES we have on our roads even 10 lane highways wont serve any purpose. People drive as they please, some doing 20 kmph on the fast lane, others overtaking through the left, slow-moving trucks that refuse to move from the fast lane, bikers who drive on the middle of any lane they please and weave in between, autorickshaws that try to overtake buses on the highway, autorickshaws that do an about turn right in front of you, pig-headed wanna-be racers who accelerate just as you're about to pass them, cyclists who cut across the highway, scooterists who push their vehicle between the medians in a bid to short-cut their routes, Scorpio drivers who drive up to everyones rear windscreen to flash their headlamps into your rearview, buses that cut across from the fast lane to the slow lane to stop and unload passengers in the middle of that lane, Ashok Leylands with "Volvo" painted on their backsides and take it seriously, and LCVs with 4 headlamps and 2 foglamps on....

You really think ABS, TCS, roll-cages and s**t like that can protect you on the lunatic asylum that our roads resemble????????

RX135 · 25th August 2005, 00:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steeroid

You really think ABS, TCS, roll-cages and s**t like that can protect you on the lunatic asylum that our roads resemble????????

Boy, you covered almost all possible options! But, being on such insecure roads all the time makes it more imperative that we have a safer car. If you know you wont crash on safe roads, half the importance of having safety measures is reduced. But with so many innovatives options to crash, you need even better security measures. (How about driving in car wearing a helmet?

)

ntomer · 25th August 2005, 17:27

I drive a Getz and recetly had a pretty bad accident. My car's front bumper, bonnet, right fender, radiator support grill and radiator all were smashed. But I didn't get as much as a jerk. The car feels solid. The thinness of A and C pillar hampers driveability though.

\N

deepakhon · 25th August 2005, 17:36

Steeroid, couldn't have put it any better than this. Yes, with all the safety ratings, what if there are no safe roads/infrastructure? Anyways, these are just ratings. There can be many scenerios for which a car is not being tested. How all these ratings translate into actual safety is anybody's guess.

Machdar · 5th February 2010, 16:33

I used to own a TATA Estate till a few years ago. Boy where they safe! It was built like a truck. And unlike the safari or its predecessor the Sierra this was not a tall boy and thus was planted to the roads. You can try anything and it stuck to the tarmac no chance of any topple.

Now am restoring a W124 one of the most safest cars currently running (still running) on Indian Roads

rjalihal · 5th February 2010, 19:28

Any car is safe as long as the driver is safe and alert according to me. Why make unnecessary last minute maneuvers while overtaking, sudden braking and lane cutting. But as far as NCAP ratings are considered, its teh foreign brands which rule. Mercedes has a 5 star rating. Swift is pedestrian friendly! Thats good news!
Remember: ALWAYS WEAR SEAT BELT!

MileCruncher · 6th February 2010, 02:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjalihal

Any car is safe as long as the driver is safe and alert according to me. Why make unnecessary last minute maneuvers while overtaking, sudden braking and lane cutting.

+1 to that. A car is as safe as its driver. A good driver always knows the limit of his/her car and also knows a rash driving to save a second them of their life.

stanjohn123 · 6th February 2010, 03:18

Although right now I'm not a Skoda fan , When it comes to safety i feel Skoda is much better than a Merc even. I've had an accident on 2008 dec in my laura, which crashed at 160 where both me and my cousin escaped it without a scratch. We didn't even have our seat belts on that day. The accidents pic is posted somewhere on the accidents in India thread.

Besides this I've hear from many people who've survived crash's in a Skoda but at the same time were unfortunate in a Benz. Guess Skoda is better than Benz atleast in the safety front.

Machdar · 6th February 2010, 10:44

I partially agree with Milecruncher & Rjalihal! Yes it matter to be a safe driver first and not drive rashly. But you cannot be sure of every other driver on the road. I have a had instances where I am parked at the traffic signal and a bad driver just backed his jeep into my car damaging the whole bonnet & radiator of my wagon R and similarly had a sumo brush past my estate while I was filling Gas and he had some damage instead of mine.

Given the crazy traffic and the number of novice drivers its still matters to be in a safe car like the 124.

siddutta · 6th February 2010, 23:24

1. do airbag works even at low speed, e.g. if the car srashes at 20-30 kmph?
2. are the airbags of indian cars ( e.g scorpio or Manza ) safe ? Once i saw on Car program in TV , that it will difficult to wear the seat belts on a Indigo .

24th August 2005, 23:27	#19
The X Factor Newbie Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 16 Thanked: 0 Times	I'm eagerly awatin Volvo's launch in India, hope they dont compromise on safety , since thats one of their ESP of being one of the safest car manufacturer in the world. As amongst the current cars must be the Skodas.
	() Thanks

24th August 2005, 23:43	#20
aseem Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Delhi Posts: 1,730 Thanked: 441 Times	I am not so sure about Volvo being the safest cars of the world. Sweden has had one of the bigges recalls of cars in the past with S 80. It was famous there as the death car.
	() Thanks

25th August 2005, 00:02	#21
Steeroid Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: N.A Posts: 7,046 Thanked: 2,751 Times	I FEEL very safe in the Safari, but how much of that feeling translates into actual safety on the road is not known. The Safari SHOULD have been crash-tested since it sells in Europe and Australia where they cant sell without revealing safety ratings. It does come with very strong side impact bars (which weigh a ton), anti-sub seats, collapsible steering etc but then its a 10 lakh car that doesnt come with ABS (neither does the Skoda at 2 lakhs more). HOWEVER, I think this arguement is pointless for ONE reason - as long as we have roads that arent built to any safety standards (unmarked humps, unexpected dips, blind curves on national highways, no proper drainage or lighting, etc) or drivers who are totally indisciplined and totally inconsiderate it doesnt matter what car you drive - you're still in danger. Safety on our roads is not the sole responsibility of the car manufacturers - let the government do its bit by enforcing some rules, starting with the number of headlamps you are supposed to have on a vehicle, auto-dippers, WORKING tail lamps, NO airhorns etc and also by penalising boorish behaviour on the roads. We have quite a few dual-carriage highways, but whats the point - with the kind of A***ES we have on our roads even 10 lane highways wont serve any purpose. People drive as they please, some doing 20 kmph on the fast lane, others overtaking through the left, slow-moving trucks that refuse to move from the fast lane, bikers who drive on the middle of any lane they please and weave in between, autorickshaws that try to overtake buses on the highway, autorickshaws that do an about turn right in front of you, pig-headed wanna-be racers who accelerate just as you're about to pass them, cyclists who cut across the highway, scooterists who push their vehicle between the medians in a bid to short-cut their routes, Scorpio drivers who drive up to everyones rear windscreen to flash their headlamps into your rearview, buses that cut across from the fast lane to the slow lane to stop and unload passengers in the middle of that lane, Ashok Leylands with "Volvo" painted on their backsides and take it seriously, and LCVs with 4 headlamps and 2 foglamps on.... You really think ABS, TCS, roll-cages and st like that can protect you on the lunatic asylum that our roads resemble????????
	() Thanks

25th August 2005, 17:27	#23
ntomer BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: New Delhi Posts: 643 Thanked: 134 Times	I drive a Getz and recetly had a pretty bad accident. My car's front bumper, bonnet, right fender, radiator support grill and radiator all were smashed. But I didn't get as much as a jerk. The car feels solid. The thinness of A and C pillar hampers driveability though. \N
	() Thanks

25th August 2005, 17:36	#24
deepakhon Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,441 Thanked: 65 Times	Steeroid, couldn't have put it any better than this. Yes, with all the safety ratings, what if there are no safe roads/infrastructure? Anyways, these are just ratings. There can be many scenerios for which a car is not being tested. How all these ratings translate into actual safety is anybody's guess.
	() Thanks

5th February 2010, 16:33	#25
Machdar BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 199 Thanked: 17 Times View My Garage	I used to own a TATA Estate till a few years ago. Boy where they safe! It was built like a truck. And unlike the safari or its predecessor the Sierra this was not a tall boy and thus was planted to the roads. You can try anything and it stuck to the tarmac no chance of any topple. Now am restoring a W124 one of the most safest cars currently running (still running) on Indian Roads
	() Thanks

5th February 2010, 19:28	#26
rjalihal BHPian Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 713 Thanked: 100 Times	Any car is safe as long as the driver is safe and alert according to me. Why make unnecessary last minute maneuvers while overtaking, sudden braking and lane cutting. But as far as NCAP ratings are considered, its teh foreign brands which rule. Mercedes has a 5 star rating. Swift is pedestrian friendly! Thats good news! Remember: ALWAYS WEAR SEAT BELT!
	() Thanks

6th February 2010, 03:18	#28
stanjohn123 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: TN 75 Posts: 1,345 Thanked: 1,798 Times View My Garage	This the Skoda does win hands down !!! Although right now I'm not a Skoda fan , When it comes to safety i feel Skoda is much better than a Merc even. I've had an accident on 2008 dec in my laura, which crashed at 160 where both me and my cousin escaped it without a scratch. We didn't even have our seat belts on that day. The accidents pic is posted somewhere on the accidents in India thread. Besides this I've hear from many people who've survived crash's in a Skoda but at the same time were unfortunate in a Benz. Guess Skoda is better than Benz atleast in the safety front. Last edited by stanjohn123 : 6th February 2010 at 03:29. Reason: Gramatical Error
	() Thanks

6th February 2010, 10:44	#29
Machdar BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 199 Thanked: 17 Times View My Garage	I partially agree with Milecruncher & Rjalihal! Yes it matter to be a safe driver first and not drive rashly. But you cannot be sure of every other driver on the road. I have a had instances where I am parked at the traffic signal and a bad driver just backed his jeep into my car damaging the whole bonnet & radiator of my wagon R and similarly had a sumo brush past my estate while I was filling Gas and he had some damage instead of mine. Given the crazy traffic and the number of novice drivers its still matters to be in a safe car like the 124.
	() Thanks

6th February 2010, 23:24	#30
siddutta BANNED Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: bangalore Posts: 155 Thanked: 10 Times	1. do airbag works even at low speed, e.g. if the car srashes at 20-30 kmph? 2. are the airbags of indian cars ( e.g scorpio or Manza ) safe ? Once i saw on Car program in TV , that it will difficult to wear the seat belts on a Indigo .
	() Thanks