With the October 1 deadline to make six airbags standard in cars nearing, here’s a list of cars, SUVs that already get it.
All cars and SUVs sold in India will need to come equipped with six airbags as standard from October 1, 2023. This was done in order to increase passenger safety inside a vehicle as the demand for safer vehicles has been increasing steadily. Earlier, dual front airbags were made compulsory for all vehicles sold on or after January 1, 2022.
The new norms for making six airbags as standard will also increase the cost of cars and SUVs. The total cost of implementing a six airbag system is estimated to be between Rs 12,500-15,000 for manufacturers. However, that cost could be doubled or tripled by the time the vehicle reaches a customer’s home, due to various central and state taxes.
While some manufacturers have already started offering six airbags as standard, many are still in the process of updating their portfolio. Here is a list of cars and SUVs under Rs 15 lakh that offer six airbags, either on some of their variants or standard across the range:
1. Hyundai Grand i10 Nios
Price: Rs 7.95 lakh-8.51 lakh
The cheapest car in the market currently with six airbags from the factory is the top-spec Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Asta. All other variants in the line-up are offered with four airbags – driver, passenger and side – as standard. The Grand i10 Nios is powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine producing 83hp and 114Nm of torque and comes mated to a 5-speed manual or AMT gearbox. With the facelift getting new safety features, the Grand i10 Nios remains a sensible family hatchback that’s at home in the city.
2. Maruti Suzuki Baleno
Price: Rs 8.38 lakh-9.88 lakh
Up next is the Maruti Suzuki Baleno that gets six airbags as standard on the Zeta and Alpha trims. All other trims get just two airbags – driver and passenger. The Baleno is also one of the few models in this list that gets six airbags with a CNG powertrain, albeit only in the Zeta trim. Under the hood, the Baleno gets a 1.2-litre engine developing 90hp and 113Nm in petrol mode and 77.5hp and 98.5Nm in CNG mode. Both are paired to a 5-speed manual, but the petrol versions also get a 5-speed AMT. The Baleno is now far better in the ride and handling department, and the safety and equipment on offer are at par with the competition.
3. Hyundai Aura
Price: Rs 8.61 lakh
Like the Grand i10 Nios, the Aura also gets six airbags only on the top-spec SX (O) trim, with all other variants getting just four airbags. It is powered by the same 1.2-litre petrol engine producing 83hp and 114Nm of torque, however, this trim only gets a 5-speed manual gearbox. The facelifted Aura is extremely user friendly with light controls and a smooth engine, and in true Hyundai fashion, it is very well equipped.
4. Toyota Glanza
Price: Rs 8.63 lakh-10 lakh
Like the Baleno it is based on, the Toyota Glanza also gets six airbags on the G and V trims, and, like its Maruti Suzuki counterpart, it also gets six airbags with the CNG powertrain. Under the hood, it gets the same 1.2-litre engine that produces 90hp and 113Nm in petrol mode and 77hp and 98.5Nm of torque in the CNG mode. Both get a 5-speed manual gearbox, while the petrol is the only one to get a 5-speed AMT gearbox. The second-gen Glanza has a peppy engine, the ride quality from the new suspension is superb, and the added safety and equipment will be a big draw for buyers.
5. Hyundai i20
Price: Rs 9.77 lakh-11.88 lakh
Like other aforementioned Hyundai models, six airbags are standard equipment only on the i20 Asta (O). The hatchback received a 3-star GNCAP rating under the old testing protocols last year. While the Grand i10 Nios and Aura get four airbags as standard, the i20 currently gets only two airbags as standard – one each for the driver and passenger. The i20 gets a choice of two engines – an 83hp (88hp with CVT), 115Nm, 1.2-litre petrol and 120hp, 172Nm, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol. The former is paired with either a 5-speed manual or the CVT, while the latter is paired only with the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. Despite being pricey, the i20 has a vast equipment list, and as a product, it takes a step up, especially in areas of space, comfort and driving manners. The turbo-petrol also has its appeal, though more as an upmarket hatchback with a fun side.
6. Kia Carens
Price: Rs 10.45 lakh-18.90 lakh
The only MPV on this list, the Kia Carens, is also the first vehicle on this list to get six airbags as standard across all variants. Additionally, it scored a 3-star GNCAP rating under the old protocols in June last year. Under the hood, the Carens gets three engines – a 160hp, 253Nm, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol, a 115hp, 144Nm, 1.5-litre petrol and a 116hp, 250Nm, 1.5-litre turbo-diesel. The turbo-petrol is mated to a 6-speed iMT or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, the diesel is paired to a 6-speed iMT or a 6-speed automatic gearbox, and the petrol engine is only mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. The Carens’ third row actually scores big on space and comfort, which helps the Kia carve a niche for itself in a market crowded by three-row SUVs and MPVs.
7. Maruti Suzuki Fronx
Price: Rs 10.56 lakh-12.98 lakh
The newest model on this list is the Maruti Suzuki Fronx, and like the Baleno it is based on, it gets six airbags only on the Zeta and Alpha trims. The Fronx also sees the return of the 100hp, 148Nm, 1.0-litre ‘Boosterjet’ turbo-petrol engine mated to a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic gearbox. If people can take to its crossover looks, it is a well-equipped, reasonably spacious and practical, and easy-to-drive compact crossover.
8. Hyundai Creta
Price: Rs 10.87 lakh-19.21 lakh
Another model here which gets six airbags as standard across the range is the Hyundai Creta. The Creta scored a 3-star GNCAP rating last year, but under the old protocols. Under the hood, it gets a choice of a 115hp, 144Nm, 1.5-litre petrol engine and a 116hp, 250Nm, 1.5-litre diesel engine. The former is only mated to a CVT, while the latter gets either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic gearbox. While the looks may not work for everyone, Hyundai has played to its strengths by offering great comfort and a long equipment list.
9. Kia Seltos
Price: Rs 10.89 lakh-19.65 lakh
Like the Creta, even the Kia Seltos gets six airbags as standard across all variants. Last year, it scored a 3-star GNCAP safety rating under the old protocols. Like its Hyundai sibling, it is also offered with a 115hp, 144Nm, 1.5-litre petrol engine and a 116hp, 250Nm, 1.5-litre diesel engine. The petrol gets an option of a 6-speed manual or CVT, while the latter gets a 6-speed iMT or 6-speed automatic gearbox. The Seltos is easy to drive and the steering requires reasonable effort. Ride comfort is good too with good low-speed bump absorption and confident high-speed manners.
10. Hyundai Verna
Price: Rs 10.90 lakh-17.38 lakh
The latest entrant in the midsize sedan segment, the Hyundai Verna, is also the only one to offer six airbags as standard across the range. There are two engines available with the Verna – a 115hp, 144Nm, 1.5-litre petrol and a 160hp, 253Nm, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol. While both get a 6-speed manual gearbox, the former also gets a CVT, while the latter gets a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. The new Verna also has a strong equipment list with segment-first features like ADAS. It also caters well to its chauffeur-driven clientele.
