Looking for a 3-row car with high safety rating? Only these 2 have scored 5 stars at Bharat NCAP

The Toyota Innova Hycross is the latest model to score a five-star safety rating at Bharat NCAP. (Image - Bharat NCAP)

Are you looking to buy a relatively affordable, three-row car with impressive safety ratings validated by a reputable authority? Well, you will be surprised to know that there are not many options currently available in the market. Only two three-row models have been tested so far at the Bharat New Car Assessment Program (Bharat NCAP), the Tata Safari and the Toyota Innova Hycross. The good part is that both of them have performed brilliantly.

The Safari and the Innova Hycross have scored five stars in both adult occupant protection (AOP) and child occupant protection (COP) categories at Bharat NCAP.

The Safari scored 30.08 points out of 32 in the AOP category and 44.54 points out of 49 in the COP category. The Innova Hycross has slightly better numbers with 30.47 points in the AOP category and 45 points in the COP category.

Tata Safari (Image - Bharat NCAP)

While the Safari comes in six and seven-seater configurations, the Innova Hycross has seven and eight-seater layouts. Both vehicles get six airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), and seatbelt reminder as standard. They also comply with pedestrian protection norms.

The Safari is offered only with a diesel engine. It employs Kryotec 2.0-litre diesel motor, which develops 170 PS of maximum power and 350 Nm of peak torque. It can be clubbed either with a 6-speed MT or a 6-speed AT automatic.

The Innova Hycross has two engine options -- 2.0-litre VVTi naturally-aspirated petrol and 2.0-litre VVTi petrol with a strong hybrid system. Mated to a CVT automatic, the petrol unit generates 172 PS of maximum power and 205 Nm of peak torque. Clubbed with an e-drive sequential shift, the strong hybrid unit produces a combined maximum power of 184 PS and peak twisting force of 188 Nm, with the motor torque at 206 Nm. The Innova Hycross range has no automatic transmission option.

Toyota Innova Hycross (Image - Bharat NCAP)

The Safari is priced between Rs 15.50 lakh and Rs 27.25 lakh (ex-showroom). The price of the Innova Hycross starts at Rs 19.09 lakh and goes up to Rs 31.34 lakh (ex-showroom).