Is the Maruti Ignis Safe? What the Crash Test Safety Ratings Really Say

Author: Abhinand Venugopal•Published on: 1/26/2026•4 Minutes
Overview:Maruti Ignis NCAP crash safety rating: 1 star for Adult Occupant Protection and 0 stars in Child Occupant Protection back in December 2022 Global NCAP tests. Maruti Ignis Bharat NCAP tests are pending, but expect satisfactory results at best. Check out how the Maruti Suzuki Ignis is an underrated hatchback, alongside specs, features and pricing!
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Key Highlights


  • NCAP crash tests are not a legal requirement, but a voluntary initiative by manufacturers.
  • The 2022MY Maruti Suzuki Ignis scored only 1 star in December 2022 Global NCAP.
  • The facelifted Maruti Suzuki Ignis is yet to be tested in Global or Bharat NCAP.



It has been over a decade since Indian automotive giant Maruti Suzuki split its product range into two outlets: ARENA and NEXA. While ARENA models focus on the wider Maruti Suzuki buyers’ market (especially budget hatchbacks), NEXA outlets aim to enhance the overall ownership experience in addition to selling premium alternatives to ARENA products.


Maruti Suzuki NEXA range starts with the Ignis. Although the company tags it the ‘Compact Urban SUV,’ the Maruti Suzuki Ignis is strictly an affordable hatchback with interesting styling and reasonable sportiness. It previously shared most of its internals with the ARENA favourite, Maruti Suzuki Swift. However, the all-new fourth-gen Swift (and Dzire) now draws power from an all-new 3-cylinder Z Series NA petrol engine, unlike the Ignis’s K12 4-cylinder unit.


Maruti Suzuki Ignis: NCAP Safety Ratings


The Maruti Suzuki Ignis remains unchanged since its mild facelift BS6 version debuted in early 2020. This model, upon testing by Global NCAP in December 2022, returned poor crash safety scores: 16.48/34.00 (1 star) in Adult Occupant Protection and 3.86/49.00 (0 stars) in Child Occupant Protection. The Ignis, then and now, features just two airbags. The hatchback has not been sent for Bharat NCAP tests yet.


True automotive safety goes beyond NCAP safety ratings and a long list of equipment. It starts with good driving discipline and a structured driving environment. However, there is no denying the fact that the Maruti Suzuki Ignis is one of the least safe cars currently on sale in the country. Suzuki has already discontinued the Ignis in European markets such as the UK due to tightening safety and emission norms. In most markets, NCAP crash tests are not a legal requirement, but a voluntary evaluation initiated by manufacturers.


Maruti Suzuki Ignis: Features & Highlights


Being an entry-level NEXA product, the Maruti Suzuki Ignis features just the basics in a subjectively pretty package. Key highlights include LED projector headlamps, a 7.0-inch touchscreen (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), automatic climate control, keyless entry, 60:40 split seats, 15-inch gloss black alloy wheels, driver's seat height adjustment, hill hold assist (AMT), rear parking camera, ESP, and more.


Maruti Suzuki Ignis: Specs & Dimensions


Powering the 2026MY Maruti Suzuki Ignis is the familiar 1.2-litre K12 NA petrol 4-cylinder engine making close to 83ps @ 6,000rpm and 113Nm @ 4,200rpm. This is mated to either a 5-speed manual transmission or its ‘AGS’ AMT variant. At a kerb weight of just 865kg, the Maruti Suzuki Ignis is quite peppy and engaging to drive. This is also the reason why many still prefer the Ignis as a cheap town runabout or as a fun alternative to something like the Celerio, a Maruti Suzuki ARENA offering. ARAI-claimed mileage figure stands at 20.89km/l.


The Maruti Suzuki Ignis is also quite compact at a length of 3,700mm (most hatchbacks today span just a few counts under 4,000mm to reap the most of sub-4m tax benefits). Boot capacity (with parcel tray) is also moderate at 260 litres. 


Maruti Suzuki Ignis: Variants & Prices


Maruti Suzuki offers the 2026MY Ignis in four variants: Sigma, Delta, Zeta and Alpha. Ex-showroom (Delhi) prices are as follows:

  • Sigma MT: ₹5.35 lakh
  • Delta MT: ₹5.85 lakh
  • Delta AGS: ₹6.30 lakh
  • Zeta MT: ₹6.50 lakh
  • Zeta AGS: ₹6.95 lakh
  • Alpha MT: ₹7.10 lakh
  • Alpha AGS: ₹7.55 lakh

Apart from the first two, each variant is available in a dual-tone colour format (gloss black roof). There is a total of 10 colours to choose from: Turquoise Blue, Lucent Orange, Nexa Blue, Glistening Grey, Silky Silver, Pearl Arctic White, Pearl Midnight Black, Nexa Blue with Black Roof, Nexa Blue with Silver Roof and Lucent Orange with Black Roof.


Delightful Package; Deceiving Tagline


The Maruti Suzuki Ignis cannot be titled a low-quality product solely based on its subpar Global NCAP crash tests. It is an affordable hatchback that has its shortcomings, but excels in certain departments such as driving ease, quick steering response, fuel economy, low maintenance, reliability and of course, affordability. The Maruti Suzuki Ignis remains a more affordable alternative to the Baleno and an interesting pick over the Swift. Certain markets got the Suzuki Ignis in a more capable AWD format as well. Even in that case, the Ignis is just a tall hatchback and not a ‘compact urban SUV’ as Maruti Suzuki coins it.


FAQs


1. Is the Maruti Ignis a NEXA or an ARENA model?
The Maruti Suzuki Ignis is the most affordable NEXA product.


2. Is the Maruti Ignis available with a torque converter?
The Maruti Suzuki Ignis comes with a 5-speed manual or AMT.


3. Is the Maruti Ignis a safe car for new drivers?
With a Global NCAP rating of just 1 star, crash safety is not the Maruti Ignis’s strong suit.


4. Are the Maruti Swift and Ignis the same underneath?
Unlike earlier, the Maruti Swift is powered by an all-new 1.2-litre Z Series 3-cylinder NA petrol engine rather than the Ignis’s K12 unit.


5. Was the Maruti Ignis available in diesel format earlier?
Maruti Suzuki offered the Ignis with a 1.3-litre DDIS diesel engine before BS6 emission norms kicked in.