Which is the safest hatchback in India?

ashutoshb · 19th February 2007, 22:45

Although, we are not the ones who can decide for sure who is the safest of all, but still we must have an opinion on the cars, who we think are safe or safer than others. We know which car is tinnier than the other.
The car that comes the last in the list, should see a boycott from Team BHP members...what say?? We are the 'informed/ aware' lot! At least we should not behave like the million others...who just for the sake of a few kpl more, are risking their lives.
Don't bring in the price funda...in my opinion...a used Indica is a better bet than a new 800. You must be seeing an Alto as my avtar...don't worry that will soon change. My next car will surely not be a tin can.
So, tell me guys...will you boycott the least safe car?? That means you will not buy it for yourself, your family and neither will you recommend one to others.
Please go ahead and vote.

sajo · 19th February 2007, 22:50

Safest..ummm...I dont know, but the Swift ZXi comes with the most safety features. And a newer design to meet Euro norms too.

finneyp · 19th February 2007, 22:52

Undoubtly, the PALIO!

sreenivass · 19th February 2007, 22:53

I'd think Palio is safer than others given the build quality and other parameters. The only problem is it does not come with ABS and Airbags. I think probably one model comes with them.

roms · 19th February 2007, 22:54

Initially palio was the safest hatch with the optional safety pack comprising of ABS,EBD,and driver side airbag.Without these,its still a tank but I guess the swift with ABS would be the safest of the lot.

sbasak · 19th February 2007, 22:55

Considering toppling, the one with lowest center of gravity

But otherwise, I consider Palio, Getz, Swift all as safe.

1100D · 19th February 2007, 23:05

Do people know Indica/indigo is a crash tested car. Tata have bought crash testing facilities. It may not have undergone the EuroNCAP but it satisfies crash testing results.

Aditya · 19th February 2007, 23:19

Among the above, the Swift ZXi is the safest hatchback in India because it sports features like ABS and Airbags. Take the ZXi out of the equation and the Fiat Palio and my favourite, the Ford Fusion are clear winners.

adya33 · 19th February 2007, 23:20

Honestly speaking we don't have crash tests mandatory in India.
With new expressways opening and average traveling speeds increasing this should be looked at sooner.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashutoshb

The car that comes the last in the list, should see a boycott from Team BHP members...what say?? We are the 'informed/ aware' lot! At least we should not behave like the million others...who just for the sake of a few kpl more, are risking their lives.

Suppose someone uses car with low safety rating only for city run abouts and his avarage traveling speed is not more than 40 kmph, whats wrong with it ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashutoshb

Don't bring in the price funda...in my opinion...a used Indica is a better bet than a new 800.

Old do not give satisfaction that a new car gives to its owner.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashutoshb

You must be seeing an Alto as my avtar...don't worry that will soon change. My next car will surely not be a tin can.

Aaaha so you say Alto is tin can yet you opted for it instead of used Indica, right?

By the way in my opinion Alto is fairly safe car for city driving.

As for safe hatchback, well technically speaking about hatchback it has to be Skoda Octavia.

theMAG · 19th February 2007, 23:22

Good topic that you raised, ashutoshb. On what factors are these cars considered safe? SIAM/ARAI doesnt have that answer. This poll can be best intelligently answered when the IRDA establishes its Indian car safety rating agency, albeit for its insurance purposes.

rks · 19th February 2007, 23:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashutoshb

The car that comes the last in the list, should see a boycott from Team BHP members...what say?? We are the 'informed/ aware' lot! At least we should not behave like the million others...who just for the sake of a few kpl more, are risking their lives.
Don't bring in the price funda...in my opinion...a used Indica is a better bet than a new 800. You must be seeing an Alto as my avtar...don't worry that will soon change. My next car will surely not be a tin can.
So, tell me guys...will you boycott the least safe car?? That means you will not buy it for yourself, your family and neither will you recommend one to others.
Please go ahead and vote.

The Santro is a very safe car, contrary to perceptions. It would take *really* bad driving and/or criminally negligent maintenance to crash a Santro. Believe me, I have pushed this car to its limits under all kinds of condtions, including heavy rains with worn out tyres, etc., in my weekly Pune-Mumbai-Pune runs. It is a superb handler and that is why I consider it a very safe hatchback. I have no idea what it would take to topple a Santro -- it seems inconceivable to me.

As compared to an Indica, give me a Santro any day. I just do not want to get stranded at 10 pm on some desolate stretches of the Mumbai-Pune route. Plus I want a highly maneuverable car that will get me out of tight situations. That is much more important to me than a heavy car that can withstand crashes but is difficult to handle, say, in a skid.

Edit: If the Santro comes last in this vote, I am not about to abandon it. I will back my own experience rather than go by public opinion. Plus what is "safe" for one individual may be dangerous to another, depending on driving style. For example, I prefer the Santro's hydraulic power steering, even though others may find it over-sensitive at high speeds. But I like it that way. This is a highly technical issue that can only be decided by a panel of experts, rather than by a public vote.

hormaz · 19th February 2007, 23:26

Palio, all the way.........

hydrashok · 19th February 2007, 23:31

Palio > Getz > Swift.

IMHO, of course. Having driven all 3, I'd prefer feel safer behind the Palio's wheel any day. Maybe I'm a bit biased because I drive a Palio...

spadival · 19th February 2007, 23:39

Palio without a doubt.

kpzen · 19th February 2007, 23:47

Alto with seatbelts on is quite a safe car......thats my personal experience...

View Poll Results: Which is the safest hatchback?
Palio	122	49.80%
U-VA	3	1.22%
Santro	3	1.22%
Getz	12	4.90%
800	3	1.22%
Alto	1	0.41%
Estilo	0	0%
Wagon R	0	0%
Swift	85	34.69%
Indica	16	6.53%
Voters: 245. You may not vote on this poll

19th February 2007, 22:45	#1
ashutoshb Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: NOIDA Posts: 1,957 Thanked: 5,354 Times View My Garage	Which is the safest hatchback in India? Although, we are not the ones who can decide for sure who is the safest of all, but still we must have an opinion on the cars, who we think are safe or safer than others. We know which car is tinnier than the other. The car that comes the last in the list, should see a boycott from Team BHP members...what say?? We are the 'informed/ aware' lot! At least we should not behave like the million others...who just for the sake of a few kpl more, are risking their lives. Don't bring in the price funda...in my opinion...a used Indica is a better bet than a new 800. You must be seeing an Alto as my avtar...don't worry that will soon change. My next car will surely not be a tin can. So, tell me guys...will you boycott the least safe car?? That means you will not buy it for yourself, your family and neither will you recommend one to others. Please go ahead and vote.
	() Thanks

19th February 2007, 22:50	#2
sajo Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pune Posts: 2,625 Thanked: 1,157 Times	Safest..ummm...I dont know, but the Swift ZXi comes with the most safety features. And a newer design to meet Euro norms too.
	() Thanks

19th February 2007, 22:52	#3
finneyp Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,762 Thanked: 400 Times View My Garage	Undoubtly, the PALIO!
	() Thanks

19th February 2007, 22:53	#4
sreenivass BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bangalore India Posts: 931 Thanked: 44 Times View My Garage	I'd think Palio is safer than others given the build quality and other parameters. The only problem is it does not come with ABS and Airbags. I think probably one model comes with them.
	() Thanks

19th February 2007, 22:54	#5
roms BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 641 Thanked: 26 Times	Initially palio was the safest hatch with the optional safety pack comprising of ABS,EBD,and driver side airbag.Without these,its still a tank but I guess the swift with ABS would be the safest of the lot.
	() Thanks

19th February 2007, 22:55	#6
sbasak BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: CCU-LTN Posts: 607 Thanked: 16 Times	Considering toppling, the one with lowest center of gravity But otherwise, I consider Palio, Getz, Swift all as safe. Last edited by sbasak : 19th February 2007 at 22:57.
	() Thanks

19th February 2007, 23:05	#7
1100D Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calcutta Posts: 4,390 Thanked: 4,116 Times View My Garage	Do people know Indica/indigo is a crash tested car. Tata have bought crash testing facilities. It may not have undergone the EuroNCAP but it satisfies crash testing results.
	() Thanks

19th February 2007, 23:19	#8
Aditya Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 20,021 Thanked: 86,413 Times View My Garage	Among the above, the Swift ZXi is the safest hatchback in India because it sports features like ABS and Airbags. Take the ZXi out of the equation and the Fiat Palio and my favourite, the Ford Fusion are clear winners.
	() Thanks

19th February 2007, 23:22	#10
theMAG Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Avon, CT Posts: 7,196 Thanked: 1,821 Times View My Garage	Good topic that you raised, ashutoshb. On what factors are these cars considered safe? SIAM/ARAI doesnt have that answer. This poll can be best intelligently answered when the IRDA establishes its Indian car safety rating agency, albeit for its insurance purposes.
	() Thanks

19th February 2007, 23:26	#12
hormaz BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Bombay Posts: 103 Thanked: 2 Times View My Garage	Palio, all the way.........
	() Thanks

19th February 2007, 23:31	#13
hydrashok Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: In my Office Posts: 2,527 Thanked: 18 Times View My Garage	Palio > Getz > Swift. IMHO, of course. Having driven all 3, I'd prefer feel safer behind the Palio's wheel any day. Maybe I'm a bit biased because I drive a Palio...
	() Thanks

19th February 2007, 23:39	#14
spadival Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Melbourne, AU Posts: 1,772 Thanked: 29 Times View My Garage	Palio without a doubt.
	() Thanks

19th February 2007, 23:47	#15
kpzen Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Faridabad Posts: 5,609 Thanked: 1,882 Times View My Garage	Alto with seatbelts on is quite a safe car......thats my personal experience...
	() Thanks