Maruti Ignis Comparison Part 1: The Unconventional

We have seen the Maruti Suzuki Ignis in all its metallic glory, and the package did impress us. Bookings have started and waiting periods are only spiking. The wait to get a brand new Ignis could be as much as two months depending on your chosen variant, engine, transmission and location. If you were quick to book your Ignis and selected the Alpha trim, then chances are, you’ll have to wait a little less.

Also Read: Maruti Ignis Comparison Part 2: The Traditional

Whether you have already booked the car or are just wondering if you should plonk the cash, these comparisons should give you a good idea of the competition so you can justify your choice or make an educated decision.

Maruti Suzuki Ignis Comparison Chart

Looks

In terms of looks, all of the four cars here break the norms and offer something unique. The KUV100 has the SUV-ish styling going for it while the Brio has its compact dimensions and an all glass hatch to help it stand out. The first generation Micra looked so quirky that Nissan had to give the car a thorough facelift. Its overall profile is still very curvy, but the cute, bug-eyed face made way for a more masculine headlamp cluster and a thick chrome garnish. The Beat is the oldest here and the first to come with integrated rear door handles, which lend it a 2-door-like side profile. A large bonnet and a pop-out instrument console add more style to this baby transformer.

The Ignis tries to distinguish itself with flared wheel arches, three angular dings around the back and a rear windshield with a very sharp rake. The insides too are just as unique with features like a pop-out infotainment system and a bold choice of colours for the dual-tone dashboard, which includes ivory white. It slots lowest on practicality because of its ability to quickly catch dirt and stains but looks very upmarket. The obliques, called the Suzuki Progressive Triad, follow you inside too and are present on either side of the transmission tunnel.

Dimensions

Regarding length, wheelbase and fuel capacity, the Nissan Micra has no competition. No wonder it has a good knee room in the front and the back. But, the award for height and width go to the KUV100, which is the tallest here.

A wide car is expected to have more shoulder room while a longer one with a good wheelbase liberates legroom. Headroom is the trump card for cars with a tall boy design.

Boot Space

The Ignis wins the battle of the boot space with its 260-litre storage, which is substantially more than the cars here.

Ground Clearance

The KUV100 may look tall and macho, but it doesn’t have the ground clearance to go with the looks. At 170mm, it’s 5mm less than the Beat’s and 10mm less than the Ignis’, which measures at 180mm.

Engines And Transmissions

Petrol

Except for the Brio, everything else here is available with a petrol and a diesel engine. Even with just one engine option, the Brio comes out on top with maximum power among petrol engines with 87HP at 6000RPM. The max torque of 115Nm at 3500-3600RPM among petrol engines is available with the Mahindra KUV100.

Diesel

Among the diesels, the KUV100 again comes on top and not just because it has the most power and torque but because it’s delivered low in the rev range. The low-end torque is very helpful in making city driving effortless. It makes 77HP of power at 3750RPM and 190Nm of torque from 1750-2250RPM.

Also Read: Types Of Automatic Transmission: What’s The Best?

Transmission

In the battle of the transmissions, the Ignis takes the cake. There’s a choice of a 5-speed automatic as well as a 5-speed manual with both the engine options. The choice of transmission is AMT, which is cost effective, somewhat drivable and doesn’t affect the fuel efficiency.

Experienced drivers will be pleased to note that there is also a tiptronic mode to change gears manually.

Fuel efficiency

Maruti Suzuki is the King of fuel economy, and the Ignis’ figures don’t disappoint. The petrol engine promises 20.9km/l while the diesel engine returns 26.8km/l.

Pricing

The Beat’s pricing is the best here, and you can get some more discounts at the dealership. It doesn’t excel in any area and is also the one with the least amount of kit. Even the spec sheet is starting to reflect its age now.

Pricing of the Ignis should start from Rs. 4.5 lakh to Rs. 5.9 lakh for the petrol trims and Rs. 5.8 lakh to Rs. 6.9 lakh. At these prices, it’s clearly a great deal and the waiting periods reflect that. We’ll come to know about the exact pricing when the car launches on January 13, 2017.

*All prices ex-showroom, Delhi