The Toyota Innova Hycross has just made headlines by becoming the first hybrid vehicle to be tested under the Bharat NCAP (BNCAP) protocol—and it aced it with a five-star safety rating. This is a big moment not just for Toyota but for hybrid vehicles in India as a whole. With stricter local crash testing now in place, this result brings confidence to buyers looking for a safe and efficient MPV.
Naturally, the next question is—what does this mean for the Maruti Suzuki Invicto, which is basically a Hycross in disguise?
Shared Base
The Invicto and the Hycross are more alike than different. Both MPVs are built on the same platform, use the same chassis and body shell, and are manufactured with nearly identical safety structures. The only real differences lie in the design and branding—think new grilles, revised lights, and slight tweaks to interior trims.
This badge engineering approach means that both cars have the same base integrity, and if one performs well in crash tests, it’s reasonable to expect the other to follow suit.
Safety Equipment
Both the Hycross and the Invicto come equipped with an impressive list of standard safety features. Here’s a breakdown of what they offer:
| Safety Feature | Hycross | Invicto |
|---|---|---|
| Six Airbags | Yes | Yes |
| Three-point Seatbelts (All Rows) | Yes | Yes |
| Seatbelt Reminder (All Seats) | Yes | Yes |
| ESC (Electronic Stability Control) | Yes | Yes |
| Hill Start Assist | Yes | Yes |
| VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) | Yes | Yes |
| ISOFIX Child Seat Mounts | Yes | Yes |
| Electronic Parking Brake | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Hold | Yes | Yes |
| Front and Rear Parking Sensors | Yes | Yes |
| 360-degree Camera | Yes | Yes |
| ADAS Features | Yes | No |
The key difference here is the absence of ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) in the Invicto. While the Hycross comes with features like lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking, the Invicto doesn’t. This could impact the final crash test rating, depending on how BNCAP weighs active safety tech.
Structural Integrity
One of the most important factors in a crash test is the structural strength of the vehicle. Since the Invicto and Hycross share the same structure, it’s very likely that the Invicto would also hold up well in crash tests. The body shell has already been validated through BNCAP in the Hycross, so unless there are hidden material changes, the Invicto should score similarly in terms of occupant protection.
However, only official testing will confirm this for sure.
ADAS Advantage
ADAS might seem like a luxury feature, but it plays a big role in preventing accidents in the first place. Features like automatic emergency braking and lane departure alert are becoming more common in premium cars, and the Hycross having them gives it an upper hand in overall safety.
So, while both cars offer strong passive safety, the Hycross edges ahead with its active safety tech.
What To Expect
Until the Maruti Suzuki Invicto is officially tested under BNCAP, we can’t assign it a safety rating. However, if you’re considering one of these two MPVs and safety is a top priority, the Hycross is currently the safer bet—both literally and on paper.
That said, Invicto buyers can still take comfort in knowing that their MPV shares most of the bones and features with a five-star rated vehicle.
FAQs
What is the BNCAP rating of Hycross?
It has received a 5-star Bharat NCAP safety rating.
Is Invicto’s crash rating confirmed?
No, it hasn’t been officially tested under BNCAP yet.
Does Invicto have ADAS?
No, ADAS is available only on the Hycross.
Are Hycross and Invicto structurally same?
Yes, both share the same platform and body shell.
How many airbags do these MPVs have?
Both come with six airbags as standard.
