Evolution of Maruti Suzuki Ignis Across the Years

The Maruti Suzuki Ignis was never meant to be a mass-market game changer like the Swift or Baleno. Instead, it came in rather silently with a bold, boxy design, SUV-like stance, and a clear pitch to the urban youth and small families. From being the first Maruti model to be retailed exclusively through Nexa showrooms to receiving multiple facelifts and safety upgrades over the years, the Ignis has evolved in its own defiant way. Continue reading as we break down how the Maruti Suzuki Ignis has evolved across its generations, from its international roots to its current avatar in India.

History of the Maruti Suzuki Ignis

The Suzuki Ignis was initially released in the global markets in 2000. However, Maruti Suzuki brought the all-new upgraded version to India in January 2017 as part of its premium NEXA series. This time, it was a compact urban crossover aimed at the youth, as it was multifunctional and more eye-catching than the run-of-the-mill hatchback appearance.

The first Indian Ignis had a boxy design with high ground clearance (180 mm) and an eye-catching front grille, along with LED projector headlamps equipped with DRLs, which further distinguished it as a true head-turner of the time.

Transition to a Crossover

The Indian version of Ignis 2017 was completely different from the previous versions, which were traditional hatchbacks. It was built on Suzuki's latest HEARTECT frame, which provided improved safety along with efficiency. The upright, SUV-like design, flared wheel arches, and quirky colour options (such as Uptown Red, Tinsel Blue, and Urban Blue) made it a hit among urban youth.

Ignis was among the first Maruti cars to introduce customisation packs, allowing users to wrap the body and interior, offering a wide array of personalisation options. It further increased the car’s appeal, making the move an extremely successful one in the Indian market.

Modern Interiors and Technologies

The Ignis's interior boasts a floating SmartPlay touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a dual-tone dashboard, and digital climate controls. Its tall-boy design provided generous headroom and airiness to the cabin, while split-folding rear seats and a 260-litre boot added some much-needed practicality.

Safety features included dual airbags, ABS with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), ISOFIX child seat mounts, and a HEARTECT rigid body structure, which enhanced safety for all occupants. All variants came equipped with these safety features, showcasing Maruti's commitment to safety.

Facelifts and Updates

The Indian Ignis has only seen one facelift in 2020, and here are the major changes that the car went through: 

2020 Facelift

This bold facelift featured chunkier bumper designs with faux side skid plates, as well as added U-shaped chrome grilles, which contributed to a more SUV-styled Ignis feel and presence. Instrument clusters were overhauled, coupled with new seat fabrics, and the cabin was kept fresh and modern. New dual-tone colour options and fresh alloy wheel designs further helped the facelifted Ignis stand out in the crowd of hatchbacks.

Under the hood, the facelift coincided with the transition to the BS6 standard. The tried-and-tested 1.2L K12M four-cylinder petrol engine was now BS6-compliant, continuing to deliver 83 PS and 113 Nm of torque, which is unchanged from the BS4 model. The 2020 Ignis comes with both five-speed manual and AMT options for ease of driving in city traffic.

SmartPlay Studio infotainment, dual airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, and ISOFIX mounts were all included as standard on all variants, further boosting its safety credentials.

Technological Innovations

Maruti Suzuki may have re-introduced Ignis from an earlier decade, but infused it with modern-day technology, ensuring the Ignis kept pace with the changing times. The SmartPlay Studio system provided smartphone pairing, navigation, and voice command functions. You could always stay connected and entertained on the go through Bluetooth, USB, or AUX ports.

With the HEARTECT lightweight chassis and K12M engine, the Ignis achieved an ARAI mileage of 20.89 km, making it a compelling choice for those looking for decent fuel efficiency. 

Market Success and Popularity

The new Ignis was readily accepted among young urban customers due to its novel design and compact dimensions, which provided SUV-like elevational views. It was sold only through Maruti's NEXA chain with four main variants: Sigma, Delta, Zeta, and Alpha. The fully loaded Alpha variant came with a keyless entry and push-button start, rear-view camera, and LED projector headlamps.

Due to its low external dimensions, high driving position, and stiff suspension, the Ignis became immensely popular as a stylish and fuel-economical city car to navigate through traffic while providing ease on the occasionally rough Indian roads.

2020 Maruti Suzuki Ignis: Key Engine Specifications

The Maruti Suzuki Ignis is known for its reliable and efficient engine, which is perfectly suited for Indian city driving. Here’s a look at the key engine specifications of the latest Indian model:

2020 Maruti Suzuki Ignis: Key Features

Here are some of the key features of the Ignis post the facelift: 

• SmartPlay Studio touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
• Dual airbags, ABS with EBD, ISOFIX child seat mounts
• Rear parking sensors and camera (higher variants)
• LED projector headlamps with DRLs (Alpha)
• Automatic climate control
• 15-inch alloy wheels
• Customisable exterior colour options

When launched, the 2020 Ignis was priced between ₹4.89 lakh and ₹7.19 lakh (ex-showroom, India), making it one of the most affordable crossovers in its segment.

Key Highlights for Model Years

Over the years, each new model of the Ignis has introduced updates and improvements to better cater to Indian buyers. The table below highlights the key features and changes across different model years:

Conclusion

The Maruti Suzuki Ignis may not have featured in bestselling charts like its siblings, but it does serve its purpose. Thanks to its boxy shape, SUV-inspired look, and the better customer experience that comes with buying a car through Nexa showrooms, the Ignis changed what people expected from a compact city car. Over the years, it evolved subtly but smartly, adding better tech, BS6 refinement, and a design refresh in 2020 that leaned harder into its SUV-like identity. Currently, the Ignis is recognised for being a smart, modern, and stylish city compact urban SUV.