Maruti Suzuki Ignis has been one of the most awaited vehicles from the company. Maruti already delayed the launch of the car by a few months because of full-production capacity and high waiting period. Now that Maruti has finally launched the vehicle, we spend some time with it and here is what we think about Maruti’s latest hatchback.
Looks
The design of the Ignis draws inspiration from the Japanese Kei cars that were very popular during the 1970s. The Ignis looks unorthodox on the road. The tall boy design blended with modern design elements like LED projector lamps. The headlamp set-up that is integrated into the front mesh grille itself are few characteristics that make the Ignis look different on the road.
The Ignis also possess segment leading 180mm of ground clearance; The 15-inch black painted alloys look excellent with the overall design.
From the rear, the Ignis has raked glass. The bumper gets a black stripe and the there are split tail lamps, giving the Ignis very brute looks. The Ignis looks different and young on the road. It inevitably catches a lot of eyes.
Interiors
Maruti is targeting younger generation with the Ignis. The interiors of the Ignis look very fresh and chic. The car also gets a tablet like 7-inch touch sensitive display with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support. The seats are very supportive and comfortable too. Ignis gets five bottle holders inside. The rear space of the vehicle is quite generous too. Two adults will fit in the rear seat comfortably, but a third passenger will feel a bit tight there.
Images provided by the writer : Shantonil
Engine and drive
The Ignis comes powered by both petrol and diesel engine options. The petrol is a 1.2-litre engine with 84 PS of maximum power. The diesel engine is a 1.3-litre unit that generates a maximum of 76 PS of power. Both the engine options come with a choice of either a manual transmission or AMT.
The petrol engine is a lot smoother than the diesel counter. The engine is rev friendly and feels peppier to drive around. The petrol AMT is also much better to drive around. The smaller shape of the car helps it go through city traffic with ease.
The diesel, on the other hand, is a mile muncher. Take it on the highways, and you won’t regret it. Both AMT and manual transmission of the diesel get similar ratios and hence, the perform similarly on the road. The diesel engine stays quite relaxed and cruises 100 km/h at 2,200 rpm in 5th gear. It also increases the fuel efficiency.
The Ignis may get the tall boy look, but the suspensions are very stiff. This eliminates any body roll and induces confidence in the driver. On the other hand, riding over potholes and rough roads may become little uncomfortable.
Should you buy one?
The Ignis is truly a car for the young ones. It gets a lot of space and features. The prices are on the little higher side, but given the unorthodox looks, the Ignis is a good choice. Maruti also offers a lot of customization options with the Ignis. If you want a different looking vehicle with a peppy engine, Ignis is the car to go for.
