Skoda Kushaq And Volkswagen Taigun, Safest Cars Of India?

Where features and creature comforts were paramount earlier, vehicle safety is a new must-have for Indian customers. More carmakers in the market are coming up with new and even more safety products. For instance, the new Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun. If you are aware these are the cars from the Volkswagen Group and have the same underpinnings. This means the basic structure is the same. This translates, after the crash test, both the cars scored 5 starts. Yes, 5 stars not only in adult occupancy but also 5 stars in child occupancy.

Crash Test Rating

Well, if you may know that Global NCAP offers ratings to the vehicle depending upon the test that is being tested. Hence, the Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun have come out on top, as now they are the safest vehicles in India that are made in India. Both the cars scored an amazing 29.64 score in adult occupancy, enabling them to earn 5 stars. on the other hand, they scored 42 scores in child seat occupancy.

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This makes this Skoda and Volkswagen the first car in India to score full 5 stars in child seat occupancy. Moreover, recently Global NCAP has revised its norms making them even more stringent. One of the reasons is the introduction of various other tests that include, side impact test, side impact pole crash and others.

Crash Result Breakdown

Adult Occupancy

• Frontal Impact: The head and neck protection provided to the driver and passenger were excellent. Both the driver’s and the passenger’s chests displayed adequate and good protection, respectively. The knees of the driver and passenger displayed good protection. The tibias of the driver showed only marginally acceptable protection, while those of the passenger showed good protection. The Footwell area received a steady rating. The bodyshell was given a stable rating and can sustain additional loads.
• Side Impact: Protection for the head, abdomen, and pelvis was excellent; however, chest protection was just fair.
• Side Pole Impact: Curtain airbags are in compliance with the fitment standards, and a pole impact test with side head protection airbags revealed that the head and pelvis were well protected, the abdomen was adequately protected, and the chest was only marginally protected.
• ESC: Meets the fitting rate requirements, and the test results were satisfactory based on the most recent Global NCAP standards.

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Additional Information: All variants of the vehicle come standard with three-point seat belts in all sitting positions. If a rearward-facing CRS (Child Restraint System)  is placed in this position, there is no option to deactivate the passenger airbag. For all evaluated CRS, the CRS installation was successful.

Child Occupancy

Frontal impact: The 3-year-child old’s seat was mounted backwards facing utilising the i-Size anchorages and a support leg, and it was able to completely protect him from the frontal impact by preventing head exposure.

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The 18-month-child old’s seat was mounted backwards facing utilizing the i-Size anchorages and a support leg, and it was able to completely protect the youngster by preventing head exposure during the frontal collision. Also, in the side impact, both CRSs offered full side impact protection.

Vehicle Specifications

The vehicle that was tested came with front airbags, belt pre-tensioners, belt load limiters, and seat belt reminders electronic stability program as standard.

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Now the question comes, will the Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq act as a threat to its competition?

The Threat

Well, in simple words, both vehicles will have an advantage over their rivals. Moreover, as car buyers in the country are now focusing on safer vehicles. Meaning, with time it is expected that this might aid in the sales of the Kushaq and Taigun. But why?

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To answer this we need to list out the very competition between these two vehicles. One, in terms of the segment, both the cars rival the likes of the Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta, MG Astor, Nissan Kicks, and Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara. There are other vehicles that also rival both cars. These rivals are from different segments but fall in the same price range. But to make things a little easy, here is a list of cars that fall in the same price range. Hence their rivals.

Well, in this price range there are more cars. But sadly those cars have not been tested by the Global NCAP. Nevertheless, at this price, the average score is at least 3 stars. But still, both, Volkswagen and Skoda both are now termed as the safest cars to be manufactured in India.

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Well, let us know in the comment section, what are the primary criteria for you to consider buying a specific car. Is safety one of them?