The Tata Nexon, a sub-4m SUV that carved its niche in the Indian market, has consistently impressed with its design, performance, and now, even more importantly, its safety. While the 2018 model marked a significant milestone by being the first Indian car to score a 5-star rating in Global NCAP crash tests, the 2024 facelift takes things a step further, proving that safety remains a top priority for Tata Motors. But how has the Nexon evolved in terms of safety over the past six years, and what makes its latest achievement even more remarkable?
From Good to Great: The Nexon’s Safety Evolution
2018 Nexon: Setting the Bar High
- Launched with just dual front airbags and ABS with EBD as standard safety features.
- Achieved a 4-star rating initially, later upgraded to 5-star after adding seatbelt reminders.
- Offered “adequate” to “good” protection for adult occupants in the frontal offset crash test.
- Child seat for the 3-year-old dummy installed forward-facing, offering “marginal” to “good” protection.
- 18-month-old child seat installed rearward, providing better protection.
2024 Nexon: Raising the Safety Standards
- Now boasts a comprehensive safety package including six airbags, electronic stability program (ESP), and ISOFIX child seat mounts as standard.
- Enhanced structural strength and build quality for improved occupant protection.
- Scored “good” protection for adult occupants in the frontal offset crash test.
- Performed well in the new side pole impact test, offering “marginal” to “good” protection.
- Both child seats (3-year-old and 18-month-old) installed rearward with anchorages and support leg, ensuring optimal protection.
- CRS for both child seats offered full protection in the side impact crash test.
Decoding the Global NCAP Evolution: Comparing Testing Protocols
The 2018 Nexon’s 5-star rating was impressive, but it’s crucial to understand the evolving nature of Global NCAP’s testing protocols. In 2014, when the organization began assessing India-specific cars, the focus was on:
- Provision of front airbags and ABS.
- Overall structural integrity.
- Frontal offset crash test only.
- Scoring on two categories: Adult occupant protection (out of 17 points) and child occupant protection (out of 49 points).
Fast forward to 2024, and the testing regime has become more stringent:
- Inclusion of side impact, side pole impact, and pedestrian protection tests.
- Mandatory fitment of ESC, six airbags, and ISOFIX for maximum 5-star rating.
- Adult occupant protection score now based on 34 points.
This stricter evaluation makes the 2024 Nexon’s 5-star rating even more significant, as it surpasses more comprehensive safety benchmarks.
Beyond the Headlines: What’s Next for the Nexon?
While the 2024 Nexon has aced the safety test, there’s room for further improvement:
- Adding advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) like autonomous emergency braking (AEB), rear-cross traffic alert, and collision avoidance assist.
- Undergoing Bharat NCAP crash testing.
- Crash testing the Nexon EV to confirm its safety performance.
These steps would solidify the Nexon’s position as a leader in safety within the Indian automotive market.
