In order to improve vehicle safety, Maruti Suzuki has announced that it will soon offer six airbags as standard fitment across its entire range. This update will apply to all models, from entry-level hatchbacks to premium offerings.
For those unaware, Maruti Suzuki has recently upgraded the Alto K10, Celerio, Eeco, WagonR and Grand Vitara with six airbags. Currently, the S-Presso, Ignis, Fronx and Baleno are the only offerings in its portfolio that do not have six airbags as standard. However, the Fronx and Baleno get six airbags in its range-topping variants.
Maruti Suzuki, the country’s largest carmaker and a dominant force in the budget segment, offers one of the widest portfolios of petrol and CNG vehicles. Now, with the plan to add six airbags across all remaining models, a price hike across the range is almost certain. While this move will definitely enhance safety and make Maruti’s cars more competitive, it could also slightly erode their traditional value-for-money advantage, especially in the highly price-sensitive entry-level segments.
That said, Maruti’s decision could have a much larger impact on the industry. As India’s biggest automaker, Maruti setting new safety standards will likely encourage other manufacturers, especially in the mass-market space, to follow suit. Brands like Hyundai and Kia have already set the bar by offering six airbags as standard across their entire line-ups. With Maruti joining the list, it signals a strong shift towards prioritising safety even in affordable cars — something that Indian buyers have long deserved but had to compromise on due to cost pressures.
In other news, Maruti Suzuki is gearing up to launch the three-row version of the Grand Vitara in the coming weeks. It is expected to offer a more spacious and family-friented option. It is expected to retain the strong-hybrid powertrain, alongside minor design changes. The brand has also said to pushed back the launch timeline for its upcoming all-electric SUV, the eVitara.
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