Maruti Suzuki Ignis 1.2 K12 Alpha

Autocar India

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No, the Maruti Suzuki Ignis has not been discontinued, and Maruti Suzuki continues to sell it through its Nexa dealerships.However, Maruti Suzuki hasn’t really invested in upgrading the Ignis over the years, either in terms of major features or powertrain updates, and that shows in the numbers. Its monthly sales have slipped to below 2,000 units, which is quite a drop compared to its earlier performance and to newer, more contemporary rivals.This slowdown, along with the lack of meaningful updates, naturally fuels speculation that the Ignis doesn’t have a long-term future in Maruti’s lineup and could eventually be phased out. But as things stand today, it remains very much on sale, so if you like what it offers and it fits your needs, availability is not an issue right now.

Maruti Suzuki Ignis

Autocar India

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For your needs, either the Tata Punch or the Maruti Suzuki Ignis would be a good option. The Tata Punch sits at a comfortable height, and its doors open up to almost 90 degrees, which makes ingress and egress easier. The seating position is also not too tall, so it should feel comfortable even for someone with knee issues.If you want something that feels more spacious, especially in the rear seat, then the Ignis ticks all the boxes as well. Its 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine is smoother, more responsive and nicer to drive too.To buy these cars brand new, even the base variants will be slightly above ₹6 lakh on-road. If you are okay with stretching the budget a little, you can go ahead with a new car. Also, you can consider used versions of higher variants within your budget.

Tata Punch

Maruti Suzuki Ignis

Autocar India

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The Maruti Suzuki Ignis is the best option for your wife. Its compact dimensions make it easy to manoeuvre, and the relatively high seating position gives a good view of the road, aiding confidence behind the wheel. A peppy engine and the convenience of AMT also help its case. The Ignis is a bit firm in its ride comfort, though. Maruti Suzuki has not announced plans to discontinue the Ignis, though the model has been around for a while. Even in the case of the model being discontinued, you will not have trouble with service support and parts availability for years to come.

Maruti Suzuki Ignis

Autocar India

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The Maruti Suzuki Ignis, for some reason, never really clicked as a mainstream car and isn’t among Maruti-Suzuki’s big sellers. The quirky styling is not to everyone’s taste, and that’s probably why it hasn’t found mass appeal like the Maruti Suzuki Swift. That said, underneath it uses the same tried-and-tested 1.2-litre K-series petrol engine, so mechanically it’s proven and easy to live with.In fact, the Ignis is quite an interesting car. The part-hatch, part-compact-SUV design gives it a distinct character, and the tall stance and good ground clearance are definite advantages on bad roads. It feels compact to drive, but you sit a bit higher than in a regular hatchback, which many first-time buyers appreciate.The reason Maruti-Suzuki hasn’t updated it significantly is simple: average monthly sales of around 2,000 units are low by Maruti standards, so it doesn’t justify heavy investment. The company seems content to let it continue as a niche offering. That, however, shouldn’t dissuade you if you genuinely like the car. It’s reliable, relatively affordable to maintain and fits comfortably within your Rs 7 lakh on-road budget.If you want something more mainstream and easier to resell later, you could also consider the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R or even the lower variants of the Swift, which are hugely popular. But if the Ignis appeals to you, there’s no strong reason to avoid it.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

Maruti Suzuki Ignis

Maruti Suzuki Swift

Autocar India

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If you do not want to wait any longer, going ahead with the Maruti Suzuki Ignis Zeta AGS is a perfectly sensible decision for your usage. For mostly city driving with an occasional highway run once every few months, the Ignis fits the bill well. Its 1.2 litre four cylinder petrol engine is smoother and more responsive than the Punch’s motor, and the AMT calibration feels easy to live with in traffic. It has good space on the inside, has a comfortable ride quality and, being a Maruti Suzuki, offers a hassle-free ownership experience with low maintenance costs and wide service support.One important point to keep in mind with the Ignis is safety. When tested by Global NCAP in 2022, it scored a one-star rating, so this is something you should be fully aware of before making a final decision.If timely delivery, the Ignis Zeta AGS is a good buy. If safety rating and a more rugged feel are higher priorities and you are willing to wait, then sticking with the Tata Punch makes sense.

Maruti Suzuki Ignis

Tata Punch

Autocar India

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You can consider the Maruti Suzuki Ignis AMT. It is a good option for you as it has the height adjustable drivers seat and its tall-boy-like design means you sit higher up and have a good view of the road outside. It also makes the Ignis easy to get in and out of. The 1.2-litre engine is peppy enough, and the AMT gearbox is smooth when driven at a relaxed pace. Moreover, you will get the top spec version within your budget, and the Ignis is also a very reliable car.

Maruti Suzuki Ignis

Autocar India

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The best options for you are the Maruti Suzuki Ignis and the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios.Both cars are compact and simple to handle, which makes them easy to park in tight spots and suitable for a new driver. These models are well within your budget and known for low running and maintenance costs. They will deliver good fuel efficiency for your short daily runs within Kochi and occasional longer trips of around 80 km.The Ignis is shorter in length and fits your parking requirement comfortably. It also has a peppy petrol engine and a comfortable ride quality. The Grand i10 Nios is slightly longer than 3.8 metres, but it feels more premium on the inside and offers a refined cabin.

Maruti Suzuki Ignis

Autocar India

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In your budget, you can get the Swift VXI (O) and the Ignis Alpha petrol manual. Between the two, we would suggest going for the Maruti Suzuki Swift as it is the newer car of the two and has a more modern cabin with better interiors.The one distinct advantage the Maruti Ignis has over the Swift, however, is that it still uses the older 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine, which is smoother and feels more peppy compared to the new three-cylinder engine in the Swift. On the upside, the Swift will prove to be more efficient.If you are going to be driving more often on the highway, we would also suggest considering the Mahindra 3XO or the Skoda Kylaq. We would not recommend the absolute base variants, though, and suggest the REVX M in case of the 3XO and the newly launched Classic Plus in case of the Kylaq, as they offer the basic features you would want without feeling too stripped out.The advantage of the 3XO and the Kylaq is their turbo petrol engines, which make them more versatile as the added power helps them handle both city and highway duties better. They are also five-star rated in Bharat NCAP, which adds an extra layer of safety.We would not recommend the Kia Sonet right now as it is due for an update soon, and the lower variants come with a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated engine, similar to the Swift and Ignis.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Maruti Suzuki Swift

Maruti Suzuki Ignis

Kia Sonet

Skoda Kylaq

Autocar India

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Thank you for your comments and for being such a long-time reader. We respect your views on the various Maruti-Suzuki cars that didn’t get their due. However, it is not Maruti-Suzuki that decides the success or failure of a car, but the customer who is very demanding and has other choices and options. The Kizashi failed because, for the price, customers didn’t see value in it. The A-Star was too small and cramped for the price. Going back to the start of this century, the Baleno sedan was overpriced, and the Baleno Altura failed because Indian customers don’t like station wagons or estates. In fact, there has never been a successful estate car yet. The Ignis, too, though a capable car, has not clicked largely due to its design. The reason we recommend the Wagon R regularly is that it is a practical choice. It offers unmatched space and is easy to drive and live with - attributes that have made it so popular.

Maruti Suzuki Ignis

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

Autocar India

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Given that your sister is a new driver, we'd recommend a car with an elevated seating position that would give greater visibility. While the Tata Tiago is good, the Maruti Suzuki Ignis is a better option for your sister.This Maruti car has a superior engine and smoother AMT gearbox than the Tiago, and is generally better to drive. You should try to get the Ignis 1.2 AMT Zeta, which, with some bargaining, will fit within your budget.

Maruti Suzuki Ignis

Tata Tiago