Overview

• Hindustan Times highlights five compact SUVs under ₹12 lakh for safety-focused buyers: Honda Elevate, Volkswagen Taigun, Maruti Suzuki Victoris, Skoda Kylaq and Tata Nexon.
• Among these picks, Taigun holds a Global NCAP five-star rating with six airbags standard, Victoris carries a Bharat NCAP five-star rating with ESC and six airbags, Elevate has a Japan NCAP five-star score, and Nexon remains noted as the first Indian car to earn a Global NCAP five-star rating.
• Post-GST price actions are lowering entry points: Elevate buyers save up to ₹57,500, Taigun drops by up to ₹1.63 lakh (ex-showroom from ₹11.40 lakh post Sept 22), Nexon cuts reach ₹1.25 lakh and Kylaq reductions go up to ₹1.19 lakh.
• GaadiWaadi’s Global NCAP-based top-10 list names Tata Harrier and Safari as the safest, followed by high scorers including Nexon, Maruti Victoris, VW Virtus/Skoda Slavia, VW Taigun/Skoda Kushaq, Hyundai Verna and Maruti Dzire.
• Reporters note a market shift as buyers weigh safety more heavily and automakers, under government mandates, standardize features such as multiple airbags, ABS with EBD and 3-point seatbelts.