India's top-selling premium hatch, MPV now have 6 airbags as standard, both are Maruti cars

Maruti has the largest portfolio of cars with six airbags as standard.

The country's largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki India, has announced the addition of six airbags as standard across all the variants of the Baleno premium hatchback and the Ertiga MPV.

The company now has the largest portfolio of cars with six airbags as standard. Its entry-level models, such as the Alto K10, Celerio and WagonR, also come with six airbags.

While the Baleno is the best-selling premium hatchback in India, the Ertiga is the top-selling MPV. Maruti sold 1,67,161 units of the Baleno and 1,90,974 units of the Ertiga in FY25.

The addition of six airbags as standard has resulted in a slight northward movement in the prices of the two vehicles. The average ex-showroom price of the Baleno has increased by 0.5% and that of the Ertiga by l.4%.

The Baleno is now priced between Rs 6,70,000 and Rs 9,92,000 (ex-showroom), while the Ertiga sits in the price bracket of Rs 8,96,500 to Rs 13,25,500 (ex-showroom).

Before this update, the Baleno had only two airbags in its entry-level variant (Sigma) and the one above it (Delta). On the other hand, the Ertiga was offered with only two airbags across all variants.

The Baleno employs a 1.2-litre K-Series Dual-Jet Dual-VVT petrol engine, which develops 89.7 PS of maximum power and 113 Nm of peak torque. The transmission options include a 5-speed and a 5-speed AMT. There is also a CNG option (77.5 PS and 98.5 Nm) with a 5-speed MT.

The Ertiga comes with a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, capable of generating 103PS of maximum power and 137Nm of peak torque. Among the transmission options are a 5-speed MT and a 6-speed AT. Also on offer is a CNG option (88 PS and 121 Nm) with a 5-speed MT.

The Maruti Suzuki Baleno rivals the likes of the Hyundai i20, Tata Altroz and Toyota Glanza. The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga takes on the Toyota Rumion, Kia Carens and Renault Triber.