Ever since Global NCAP started testing the safety ratings of cars made in India, safety has climbed to the top of the checklist for Indian car buyers. Earlier, people cared mostly about mileage, engine features, or a sunroof. Now, along with engine CC, buyers also carefully check a car’s safety star rating. And rightly so—because at the end of the day, it’s about saving lives.
However, this shift hasn’t been good news for every brand. Companies like Maruti and Hyundai—long criticized for low crash test scores—have faced tough scrutiny from more aware buyers. A decade ago, if any of their cars managed even a 3-star rating, it was celebrated. Today, the situation is very different, and these brands are also building much safer cars.
But there’s a reason behind this change. Maruti, for instance, has always built cars for the average Indian. If it had added six airbags and advanced safety features to every model, then entry-level cars like Alto would have gone completely out of reach for low-income buyers. And that’s exactly what has happened—after six airbags became mandatory, even the base model of Alto K10 now costs nearly ₹5 lakh on-road.
To be fair, safer cars are absolutely necessary. But one thing we must understand is that road safety is relative. A person riding a motorcycle, if they switch to even the most basic Alto or Wagon R, becomes far safer instantly. Riding a two-wheeler in India is one of the riskiest things one can do.
India unfortunately tops the world in road accidents. In 2023 alone, 1.72 lakh people died on Indian roads. That’s 474 deaths every single day—one person every 3 minutes. Shockingly, 44% of those deaths were two-wheeler riders. Next came pedestrians at 19%, while only 12% involved cars, taxis, or vans. Which means—just moving from a bike to a car can make your survival chances three times higher.
And that’s just deaths. When it comes to injuries, two-wheeler riders are again the most vulnerable. We’ve seen accidents where, at low speeds, a biker ended up bedridden for a year, while the car driver walked away without a scratch. That’s why almost 10 years ago, Maruti’s then-chairman, R.C. Bhargava, had warned: if car prices rise even 3–4%, low-income bikers will never be able to upgrade to cars. And if they stay on two-wheelers, road safety goals will never truly be achieved.
We believe India’s roads should not have unsafe cars. But it’s also true that buying a new car is not easy for everyone. Today, a 125cc bike costs ₹1–1.5 lakh, while even a basic Alto costs over ₹5 lakh. Add to that the running cost, and the gap widens even more.
For example:
- Driving an Alto K10 for 20,000 km in a year costs around ₹1.35 lakh (fuel + servicing + insurance).
- A TVS Raider bike for the same distance costs just ₹53,000.
That’s a difference of ₹80,000 per year. For a low-income rider, a new car is simply not practical.
But there is a solution—used cars, especially those running on CNG, since they have the lowest running costs.
Here are some great options:
- Hyundai Santro (8–10 years old, ₹2–2.5 lakh) – ~₹96,000/year running cost
- Grand i10 (9–10 years old, ₹3–3.5 lakh) – ~₹96,000/year
- Maruti Swift (2014–15, ₹3–3.5 lakh) – ~₹82,000/year
- Wagon R (2015–16, ₹2.5–3 lakh) – ~₹78,000/year
- Alto 800 (8–9 years old, ~₹2 lakh) – ~₹76,000/year
Now compare this—when a commuter bike costs about ₹53,000/year, an Alto 800 will cost only ₹23,000 more annually. That’s a small price for the safety of your family and yourself. With some effort and planning, a two-wheeler rider can make the shift and massively reduce their risk on the road.
So, We not saying “don’t buy a motorcycle.” If you love riding, go ahead. But don’t buy one out of compulsion. If you can stretch a little and get a small CNG car, it will make your life far more comfortable—and most importantly, a lot safer.
For more updates, insights, and detailed breakdowns on cars, bikes, and everything on wheels, make sure to follow Storyantra for all auto-related topics and news.