Maruti Baleno, Ertiga become safer with 6 Airbags as De Facto

Maruti Suzuki has improved the safety quotient of two of its best-selling models, the Baleno and Ertiga, by standardising six airbags in all the variants. This safety upgrade will come at a relatively small price increase but a very high increase in passenger care on their entire line of variants.

As part of its significant moves to enhance the safety of its vehicles in the vehicle range, Maruti Suzuki has now decided to provide the Baleno hatchback and the Ertiga MPV with six airbags as standard on all models.

The move corresponds with increasing interest in occupant protection as opposed to customer expectations and safety regulations that have become more rigid.

Higher Prices will be Slightly Raised to Achieve Safety

In order to cover the expense of this additional equipment, Maruti has made a small adjustment in the price of the two models.

The Baleno experiences an increment of 0.5 percent on its prices, whereas the Ertiga incremental prices stand at 1.4 percent. With this increase, the value proposition of elevated safety of base trims is good.

Baleno: 4 Star Bharat NCAP

Recently, the Maruti Baleno was tested with the Bharat NCAP program and the 6-airbag version of the model scored a good 4-star safety rating.

The finding is now shared across the range of trims, beginning with entry-level Sigma to the high-spec Alpha. The Baleno will also have ABS with EBD, besides possessing 6 airbags, a 360-degree camera, ESC, rear parking sensors, and ISOFIX mounts.

The Baleno also carries on with the use of its 1.2-litre petrol engine but this time it is available in both petrol and CNG derivations with power outputs of 90PS and 77.5PS respectively.

Ertiga: More Family-Friendly and Safer Than Ever

Although the Ertiga MPV is yet to be tested in Euro NCAP, it has already received a version of “safety steroid” as well. It now comes with six airbags throughout the different trims- LXi to ZXi Plus- and ESC, hill-hold assist and rear camera with parking sensor.

The Ertiga comes with its 1.5-litre petrol and petrol-CNG that makes it a more attractive option in large families or fleet owners.

Competitors and pricing

The current pricing gives the Baleno a starting price of 6.7 lakh, whereas the Ertiga is priced at the initial entry point of 8.97 lakh (ex-DM, pre-hike). The Hyundai i20, Tata Altroz and Toyota Glanza are the competitors of the Baleno and the Ertiga competes with the Kia Carens and Toyota Innova Crysta.

Not only will Maruti be providing a good precedent as far as the mass-market segment is concerned, but also, getting six airbags slightly higher in the affordability quotient.