5-Star Bharat NCAP-Rated Electric SUVs Under Rs 25 Lakh in India (2026)

Eight electric SUVs with 5-star Bharat NCAP ratings have variants priced under Rs 25 lakh. The Tata Harrier EV and Mahindra XEV 9e both scored a perfect 32 out of 32 for adult protection, the Maruti Suzuki e Vitara fits seven airbags to every variant from Rs 16.19 lakh, and the Tata Punch EV is the cheapest entry point at Rs 9.79 lakh.

The star rating is the easy part. What actually changes between these eight is which variant your money reaches, because the rating and the equipment are two different things. The Mahindra XUV400 is the clearest example: it holds 5 stars, and Bharat NCAP's own equipment table lists its side and curtain airbags as optional, so the cheapest variant leaves the showroom with two airbags.

Key takeaways

• The Harrier EV and XEV 9e lead on crash score at 32 out of 32 and 45 out of 49, but at this budget you are buying their lower trims.
• The e Vitara and VinFast VF6 fit seven airbags to every variant. The XUV400's curtain and side airbags are optional, which is the thing to check hardest on this list.
• The XEV 9e is the only SUV here that pairs a perfect adult score with Level 2 assistance inside Rs 25 lakh. The Harrier EV does not reach its assistance trim under the ceiling.
• A 5-star result needs at least 27 points out of 32 for adults and 41 out of 49 for children, so two 5-star cars can sit five points apart.

What the rating does and does not cover

Bharat NCAP scores adult occupant protection out of 32 from frontal offset and side impact tests, and child occupant protection out of 49 from dynamic tests with child dummies plus child seat installation and vehicle provisions. Electric cars get an extra check after the crash for high-voltage isolation and battery integrity.

Alongside the score, Bharat NCAP publishes two things worth opening before you buy. The ratings applicability list names every variant the result extends to. The safety equipment table says whether each airbag is standard, optional or unavailable, and that is where the XUV400's position becomes clear.

The eight SUVs under Rs 25 lakh

Model	Price range under Rs 25 lakh	Bharat NCAP (adult / child)	Airbags	Driver assistance under the ceiling
Tata Harrier EV	Rs 21.79 lakh to Rs 24.29 lakh	32/32, 45/49	6, 7 on Fearless+ 65	None at this budget
Mahindra XEV 9e	Rs 21.90 lakh to Rs 24.90 lakh	32/32, 45/49	6	Level 2 on Pack Two
Maruti Suzuki e Vitara	Rs 16.19 lakh to Rs 20.21 lakh	31.49/32, 43/49	7 on every variant	Level 2 on Alpha
Tata Punch EV	Rs 9.79 lakh to Rs 12.99 lakh	31.09/32, 45/49	6	Not offered
Tata Curvv EV	Rs 17.19 lakh to Rs 19.69 lakh	30.81/32, 44.83/49	6	Level 2 on Empowered X
Mahindra XUV400	From Rs 15.49 lakh	30.38/32, 43/49	2 standard, 6 with the optional pack	Not offered
Tata Nexon EV	Rs 12.49 lakh to Rs 17.89 lakh	29.86/32, 44.95/49	6	Level 2 on Empowered+ A 45
VinFast VF6	Rs 18.19 lakh to Rs 20.09 lakh	27.13/32, 44.41/49	7 on every variant	Level 2 on Wind up
Prices are ex-showroom Delhi, checked on 12 October 2026. Confirm with your dealer.

The eight in detail

1. Tata Harrier EV

The joint-highest crash score here, 32 out of 32 and 45 out of 49, and under Rs 25 lakh you are looking at the 65 kWh variants up to the Fearless+ 65. Six airbags are standard, with a seventh knee airbag on the Fearless+ 65, and every variant gets stability control, tyre pressure monitoring and an electronic parking brake with auto hold. A 360-degree camera arrives on the Fearless+ 65. Claimed range is 538 km on the 65 kWh battery.

The trade-off at this budget is driver assistance, which needs the Empowered 75 and sits above the ceiling. You are buying the structure, not the sensors.

2. Mahindra XEV 9e

The same perfect pair of scores, and the only SUV here that brings Level 2 assistance in under Rs 25 lakh. Pack Two adds adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist and traffic sign recognition. Both Pack One and Pack Two carry six airbags; the seventh knee airbag belongs to Pack Three Select and above, which is beyond this budget.

Stability control, tyre pressure monitoring, driver drowsiness detection, ISOFIX and an electronic parking brake are standard on both. Claimed range is 542 km from the 59 kWh battery.

3. Maruti Suzuki e Vitara

The most complete passive safety package per rupee here. Seven airbags including a driver knee airbag are fitted to the entry Delta, and the 5-star rating of 31.49 and 43 covers all three variants, the 49 kWh Delta and the 61 kWh Zeta and Alpha.

Standard throughout: stability control with hill hold, ABS with EBD and brake assist, disc brakes at all four wheels, tyre pressure monitoring, an electronic parking brake with brake hold, multi-collision braking, an SOS call button, an acoustic vehicle alerting system, ISOFIX and parking sensors front and rear. Level 2 assistance and the 360-degree camera are Alpha only. Claimed range is 440 km and 543 km.

4. Tata Punch EV

The cheapest 5-star electric SUV on sale at Rs 9.79 lakh, and its 45 out of 49 child score equals the Harrier EV's. Six airbags are standard, with stability control, ABS with EBD, hill hold, tyre pressure monitoring, SOS calling, ISOFIX and an electronic parking brake with auto hold. A 360-degree camera with blind spot monitor appears on the Empowered 40 and Empowered+ S 40. Claimed range is up to 468 km.

There is no driver assistance at any price, which is the honest limit of what this money buys.

5. Tata Curvv EV

The longest standard equipment list under Rs 20 lakh. Every variant gets a 360-degree camera, blind spot view monitor, driver doze-off alert, stability control, tyre pressure monitoring and an electronic parking brake with auto hold, on top of six airbags.

The Level 2 suite on the Empowered X trims covers adaptive cruise with stop and go, autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist and radar blind spot detection. Claimed range is 502 km from the 55 kWh pack.

6. Mahindra XUV400

Read this one carefully. It holds a 5-star rating at 30.38 and 43, tested on the EC L and EL LH(O), and the rating extends across all eight variants from EC L to EL FH(O). But Bharat NCAP's safety equipment table lists the side head curtain airbags and side chest airbags as optional, not standard, and the programme's own note says curtain airbags are standard fitment on select variants only.

In practice that means two airbags on the entry car and six once you move up or add the pack. Stability control, tyre pressure monitoring, all-wheel disc brakes and ISOFIX are standard, and a rear camera with adaptive guidelines comes on the higher trim. There is no driver assistance. Claimed range is 359 km and 456 km. Prices start at Rs 15.49 lakh.

The 5-star badge is real. It is also the clearest illustration on this list of why the badge alone is not enough.

7. Tata Nexon EV

Six airbags across the range and the widest variant spread here, with the rating covering both the Long Range and Medium Range families. Stability control is standard, with tyre pressure monitoring, an electronic parking brake and all-wheel disc brakes on the 45 kWh variants and a 360-degree camera from the Empowered 45 up.

Level 2 assistance is confined to the Empowered+ A 45 and brings lane centering and lane keep assist, forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, driver drowsiness detection and high beam assist. Claimed range is up to 489 km.

8. VinFast VF6

Seven airbags and a 360-degree camera on every variant, with the rating covering all three from Earth to Wind Infinity. Its adult score of 27.13 is the lowest here and sits just above the 27-point five-star threshold, which is worth setting against the equipment.

Blind spot detection, stability control, direct tyre pressure monitoring and ISOFIX are standard. Level 2 assistance on the Wind and Wind Infinity adds adaptive cruise control, lane centering and lane keeping, emergency lane keeping, auto lane change assist, front and rear autonomous emergency braking, rear cross traffic alert and a driver attention warning. Claimed range is 463 km to 468 km from the 59.6 kWh battery.

How to choose inside this budget

Three questions settle it.

How many airbags does your variant have, not the model? The e Vitara and VF6 give you seven on the entry car. The XUV400 can give you two. That gap is larger than any difference in crash score on this page.

Do you need assistance, and can you reach it? Under Rs 25 lakh the XEV 9e Pack Two is the only way to combine a perfect adult score with Level 2. The e Vitara Alpha, Curvv EV Empowered X, Nexon EV Empowered+ A 45 and VF6 Wind all offer it lower down.

Adults or children? The Harrier EV, XEV 9e and Punch EV all post 45 out of 49 for children. The e Vitara and XUV400 sit at 43, which is still a 5-star result but the weakest on this list.

FAQs

Which electric SUVs under Rs 25 lakh have a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating?

The Tata Harrier EV, Mahindra XEV 9e, Maruti Suzuki e Vitara, Tata Punch EV, Tata Curvv EV, Mahindra XUV400, Tata Nexon EV and VinFast VF6, all with variants priced below Rs 25 lakh.

Which electric SUV under Rs 25 lakh has the most airbags?

The Maruti Suzuki e Vitara and VinFast VF6, both with seven including a driver knee airbag on every variant. The Tata Harrier EV also reaches seven on the Fearless+ 65.

Does a 5-star Bharat NCAP rating mean every variant has six airbags?

No, and the Mahindra XUV400 proves it. Bharat NCAP lists its side and curtain airbags as optional, so the entry variant has two airbags despite the model's 5-star rating. Always check the safety equipment table alongside the score.

Which is the cheapest 5-star Bharat NCAP electric SUV in India?

The Tata Punch EV at Rs 9.79 lakh, which also scores 45 out of 49 for child protection, matching SUVs at twice the price.

Does the Maruti Suzuki e Vitara have ADAS?

Yes, Level 2 on the Alpha variant, covering autonomous emergency braking with forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist with departure warning and prevention, blind spot monitoring, vehicle sway warning and an adaptive high beam system.

Does a 5-star rating mean the car has driver assistance?

No. Bharat NCAP scores crash protection only. Driver assistance is a separate feature set, and on this list three of the eight SUVs offer none at all while the rest reserve it for higher variants.