The government will necessitate carmakers to include a minimum of six airbags in vehicles that can carry up to eight passengers for enhanced occupant safety, said Union Minister Nitin Gadkari last Monday.
Mr. Nitin Gadkari stated at the ‘Intel India’s Safety Pioneers Conference 2022’ that every year, approximately 1.5 lakh people are killed in five lakh accidents across the country. “We have decided to make it mandatory in motor vehicles to have at least six airbags. We want to help people save their lives”, the minister of road transport and highways stated.
The government believes that adding more airbags to cars will make them safer. While this is true, the additional airbags are likely to raise car prices by at least Rs 50,000. In addition, vehicles that do not include side and curtain airbags in any variant will necessitate changes to the body shell as well as interior trim and fittings to ensure that the airbags deploy safely and effectively. This would raise the price of automobiles even further. The move is unlikely to excite the auto industry, but it could be a significant advancement in crash safety.
What exactly is an airbag? How does it safeguard you?
An airbag is a vehicle occupant-restraint system that, during a collision, interferes between the driver and the vehicle’s dashboard, preventing serious injuries.
Frontal and side-impact airbags are generally designed to deploy in moderate to severe crashes, but they may deploy in minor crashes as well. During a crash, airbags reduce the likelihood that your upper body or head will collide with the vehicle’s interior.
Some of the Cars in India With at least 6 Airbags, Under 15 lakhs-
1. Mahindra XUV 300
The XUV 300 from Mahindra is one of the safest cars manufactured in India for under 15 lakhs. It received the highest rating in the Global NCAP crash tests by an Indian manufacturer, with a total of 7 airbags. The top-of-the-line model, including the diesel variant, costs Rs.12.51 lakh (ex-showroom) and includes a slew of safety features such as child safety locks, side, and front impact beams, Traction control, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, front and rear parking sensors, Hill-start assist, ESP with Roll-over Mitigation, all four disc brakes, Corner Braking Control, and a rear parking camera.
2. Hyundai Venue
The 2022 Hyundai Venue is a complete package for those looking for a Compact SUV. The number of engine and transmission combinations, as well as variants, is limitless. You could say that there is a Venue for every need. The SX optional variant, which costs Rs.12.32 lakh ex-showroom, comes with 6 airbags, TPMS, ABS with EBD, ESC with rollover mitigation, rear defogger, rear wiper, rearview camera, speed sensing auto door lock, and a rearview camera.
3. Skoda Kushaq
The Skoda Kushaq is the newest addition to the SUV market, and it packs a punch not only in terms of performance and looks but also in terms of safety. The Kushaq Style variant of the 1.0 TSI engine comes with 6 airbags and costs Rs.14.59 lakh ex-showroom. The fact that this SUV is built in India with the majority of its parts sourced locally means that maintenance costs will be significantly reduced. What’s disappointing is that it doesn’t even have a diesel engine as an option. It has received a large number of bookings & the sales are in full flesh, but whether it will live up to its name remains to be seen.
4. Honda City
The Honda City is the only car from the Japanese manufacturer that includes six airbags in its mid-variant (VX), which costs Rs.12.62 lakh ex-showroom. The 5th generation Honda City is much more than a mid-life refresh, and this becomes clear as soon as you see the interiors. The redesigned front and rear bumpers, as well as an entirely new tail light section, look good, and the interior feels very premium, almost competing with the segment above. While it may not be as exciting to drive as the Hyundai Verna, which has been its arch-rival for decades, it provides a more calm and composed ride quality and is far more comfortable on the inside, with plenty of space.
5. Kia Carens
The Kia Carens come standard with a first-in-India Hi-Secure Safety Package that includes six airbags across all trim levels, making it one of India’s safest vehicles. The Kia Carens is also a linked vehicle. The Kia Carens is equipped with six airbags to provide omnidirectional crash protection for both the driver and the passengers. The Kia Carens’ active safety features, such as ESC/VSM/BAS/HAC/DBC/ABS, allow you to maintain complete control of the vehicle while driving. The Kia Carens price starts at Rs 9.59 Lakh (ex-showroom) and goes up to Rs 17.7 lakh (ex-showroom).
Final Verdict-
The most important thing to remember is that more airbags do not always equal more safety. It is true that the vehicle’s structural integrity and rigidity are more important than the number of airbags. That being said, having more airbags is definitely safer, and you should opt for it. Meanwhile, do some research by looking at crash test ratings to see how safe the car you buy is.