Maruti Suzuki Ignis 1.2 K12 Zeta AMT

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. 
 

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.

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. 

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.

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.
 

You should choose between the Maruti Suzuki Ignis Zeta AMT and the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R 1.2 AMT ZXI Plus. Both models are powered by 1.2-litre petrol engines that give them a power advantage over other automatic Marutis in your budget (namely, Celerio, Alto K10 and S-Presso).

Both use automated manual transmission or AMT-type automatics. While these aren't the slickest automatic gearboxes, Maruti's AMTs work smoothly enough if you adopt an easygoing driving style. Fuel economy is also excellent.  

Of the two, the Wagon R is more spacious and has a more absorbent ride comfort. On the other hand, the Ignis packs in more features for the same money. If cabin space isn't a deal breaker, opt for the Ignis.