Maruti Suzuki has taken a firm step toward passenger safety by making six airbags standard across its popular models, the Ertiga and Baleno, effective from July 16, 2025. This update aligns with government mandates and rising consumer expectations — but it comes with a modest price increase.
Safety Boost Aligned with Regulations
In recent months, stricter safety norms have pushed automakers to upgrade vehicle protection. Maruti Suzuki, the nation’s top-selling carmaker, has now pledged to equip its entire passenger vehicle lineup with six airbags by the end of 2025 — including entry-level models. This initiative forms a core part of its “safety shield” campaign, which adds features like ESC, ABS with EBD, and ISOFIX mounts to emphasize occupant security.
Price Adjustments: Marginal Yet Notable
With these enhanced safety features:
- Ertiga gets a 1.4% increase in ex-showroom prices.
- Baleno sees a 0.5% uptick.
This means the Ertiga’s price range now broadly sits between ₹8.96 lakh to ₹13.25 lakh, while the Baleno spans ₹6.70 lakh to ₹9.92 lakh (ex-showroom). The slight premium reflects the added value of enhanced safety.
Why This Matters
- Compliance with legal mandates: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways requires all new passenger vehicles to be equipped with six airbags by October 2025.
- Evolving consumer demand: Safety is no longer a luxury — it’s a key focus area, even among buyers of mid-range vehicles.
- Competitive edge in perception: Alongside structural enhancements, Maruti’s move enhances brand trust — potentially putting pressure on rivals offering higher safety standards.
Market Reaction & Brand Positioning
The announcement led to a muted positive response in the market, with Maruti’s stock showing a slight uptick of around 0.3% — not just due to safety grading, but as an indicator of proactive compliance and consumer-first strategy.
What Lies Ahead for Maruti’s Lineup
- By the end of 2025, every Maruti passenger vehicle will feature six airbags, creating industry-wide standards.
- This boost in safety across newer models — including the popular WagonR, Swift, Dzire, and others — helps Maruti claim leadership in accessible vehicle safety.
- Its strategy reframes Maruti’s image, shifting away from past criticisms over prioritizing cost over structural safety.
Final Take
Maruti Suzuki’s decision to introduce six airbags in the Ertiga and Baleno marks both a strategic and moral milestone. The price hikes may be marginal, but the safety upgrade could have a lasting symbolic impact — reinforcing Maruti’s commitment to consumer protection and proactive compliance with emerging safety norms.
Going forward, competitors will need to match this level of safety standard in their own mid-priced vehicles. For Maruti, the move strikes a balance: a small cost to buyers for a significant step toward safer travel — and a strong signal that safety matters at every price point.
Photo Credit: Maruti Suzuki India
