Four cars with ADAS safety tech start at Rs 9.39 lakh, Honda Amaze the cheapest

Car buyers once looked at three things: mileage, looks and price. That is no longer the case. Accidents have risen sharply, people want safety, and carmakers are now offering safety features such as ADAS in their cars.

ADAS stands for Advanced Driver Assistance System. It is a smart system fitted in the car, with a camera and radar at the front that constantly watch the road. These sensors monitor the road ahead, the lane and the vehicle in front. If someone suddenly appears in front, the car brakes on its own. If the driver falls asleep or leaves the lane, an alert is sounded at once. In short, it works like a bodyguard.

The system has four main functions. The first is automatic braking, in which the car brakes by itself if something appears ahead. The second is lane assist, which brings the car back into its lane or moves the steering if the driver leaves it. The third is adaptive cruise, which controls speed on the highway while keeping a distance from the vehicle in front. The fourth is high beam assist, which dims or brightens the headlights automatically when a vehicle approaches from the front.

The Honda Amaze is currently the cheapest car with ADAS, with prices starting at Rs 9.39 lakh. Its top ZX model gets Level 2 ADAS. It has a 1.2-litre petrol engine producing 90 hp, and comes in manual and CVT automatic versions. Its features include adaptive cruise control, a lane-keeping system, automatic braking, 6 airbags and auto high beam. It is a good sedan option for families.

The Maruti Baleno starts at Rs 9.55 lakh. Maruti has now introduced ADAS, available in the Baleno's Alpha (O) model at Level 2. The car has a 1.2-litre petrol engine producing 82 bhp and is available in manual and AMT automatic versions. The company says the automatic version delivers a mileage of 24.77. It gets adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, a 360-degree camera, 6 airbags and a large 9-inch screen. It is a value-for-money choice for those looking for a hatchback.

The Mahindra XUV 3XO starts at Rs 12.02 lakh. This compact SUV from Mahindra also scores well on ADAS. The AX5 L model gets Level 2 ADAS. Its 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine produces 131 hp, making it the most powerful of the four. It comes in manual and automatic versions. It has adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, 6 airbags, a 10.25-inch screen and a panoramic sunroof. It is an option for those who want both looks and safety.

The Honda City starts at Rs 11.99 lakh. Its V, ZX and ZX+ models get Level 2 ADAS. A 1.5-litre petrol engine produces 121 hp, and the car comes in manual and CVT versions. Its features include a collision-mitigation braking system, adaptive cruise, lane assist, 6 airbags and an 8-inch screen. For those who can stretch their budget a little, there is no better option than the City.

So when buying a car, do not look only at mileage; check whether it has ADAS. Mileage will save money, but ADAS can save a life.