Maruti Suzuki Ignis

Maruti Suzuki Ignis Review

For a company that is known for evolution rather than revolution when it comes to its design language, Maruti Suzuki seems to have thrown the rulebook out of the window for the Ignis. What we have as a result is one of quirkiest looking cars on sale in the Indian car market, that combines its unconventional looks with superb reliability and practicality. Want to know if the Maruti Suzuki Ignis is a good car and is the right one for you? Read our review to find out. 

Maruti Suzuki Ignis Pros and Cons 

Maruti Suzuki Ignis Exterior Design 

The Maruti Suzuki Ignis may be one of the smallest cars you can buy in India, but it doesn’t fail to hold its own on the road. The muscular design almost looks like it has a wide body kit on it, with the flared wheel arches and SUV-like boxy bodylines giving it a particularly macho look. The front grille looks well-proportioned and the front and rear lights look modern and old-school at the same time. The rear is nearly flat, giving it a sporty, ‘I mean business’ look. The Maruti Suzuki Ignis is one of the few cars that is capable of looking youthful and mature, solely depending on how youthful or mature the person behind the wheel is. It truly is one of the most unique looking cars on sale right now.  

Maruti Suzuki Ignis Interiors 

There is no hiding the fact that like most Maruti Suzukis, the Ignis too is replete with hard plastics in the interior. While nothing feels cheap, for a car hatchback that costs over ₹9 lakhs on-road for the top spec, you expect better. The dual-tone interior with a light-coloured dashboard makes the Ignis feel roomier than it is. From the touchscreen infotainment system, the steering wheel and gear knob, to the AC controls and other switches, everything feels well put together. The AC vents on either side of the touchscreen looks quite cool, as do the toggle switches for things such as the AC and front and rear defogger.  

Maruti Suzuki Ignis Comfort 

The Maruti Suzuki Ignis is a perfectly comfortable car for small families or those looking for a second car for the city. The fabric seats are contoured well and you won’t feel wanting for more cushioning even after long hours behind the wheel. Rear legroom is inadequate for taller adults, and is best suited for children. The rear seat is also best suited for two adults rather than three, given the width of the Ignis, but you will manage in a squeeze. The 15 inch wheels are the perfect size for the Ignis, and more manufacturers should learn from this car on how to sell cars with tyres that are proportional to the car. Maruti Suzuki themselves sell the new Alto K10 with 13 inch wheels that just don’t feel adequate. The wheel and tyre size means that the Ignis soaks up tiny bumps well, and it’s only the bigger ones that truly unsettle the car. The AC also works well given the relatively small cabin size. 

Maruti Suzuki Igni Performance and handling

The 1.2 litre, 4 cylinder DOHC petrol engine in the Ignis churns out a respectable 82 bhp and 113 Nm of torque, but still takes over 14 seconds for the 0-100 despite the Ignis weighing under 900 kilograms. This is primarily because of the way the engine is tuned, with power coming much higher in the rev range and a focus on fuel efficiency. The Ignis can return over 21 km/l with a light foot. This is not to say the Ignis is a boring car to drive. Keep the engine at the right rev range, and the Ignis comes alive, making effortless work of overtaking in the city. The steering has decent feedback and does a decent job even at higher speeds, while the suspension keeps the Ignis planted even at higher speeds. Like with most cars of its size, you do feel every little bump, but the 15 inch wheels do help negate the effects of this to a great extent. 

Maruti Suzuki Ignis Key specifications

Maruti Suzuki Ignis Safety Features

It’s rare for a Maruti Suzuki to score well on the Global NCAP crash tests, and the Ignis doesn’t buck that trend, scoring a one-star for adult safety and zero for child safety. It does get two airbags, ABS, EBD, Traction Control, Brake Assist, ESP and Hill Hold Control. You also get child seat anchor points, and speed warnings, with one beep over 80 km/h and continuous beeps over 120 km/h. You’d be well-advised to not drive over 80 km/h in one of these. 

Maruti Suzuki Ignis Technology and Infotainment

The Ignis really takes the term ‘feature-packed’ seriously, packing in everything you’d expect from a premium hatchback in a very small footprint. It’s testament to the fact that you don’t need a sedan, SUV or bigger hatchback to get all the creature comforts cars in that segment offer you. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay work smoothly, and although you are unlikely to need it in a car this size, the rear parking camera too is a welcome addition. Other features include Automatic Climate Control, a six speaker audio system, steering mounted controls, and electrically adjustable and retractable ORVMs. 

Is the Maruti Suzuki Ignis for you?

If you’re looking for a reliable, economical and fuss-free hatchback that can do daily office commutes and the occasional highway run, then there isn’t much wrong with the Maruti Suzuki Ignis. The poor Global NCAP rating remains a concern, as is the case with most Maruti Suzuki cars, but if safety isn’t at the top of your list, there isn’t much to fault with the Ignis.