Maruti Baleno Now Standard With 6 Airbags

 

Maruti Baleno Now Standard With 6 Airbags After 4-Star Safety Rating

MUMBAI—Following its recent 4-star safety rating from Bharat NCAP, Maruti Suzuki has announced a critical safety upgrade for the Baleno hatchback: 6 airbags will now be standard across all variants. The move comes after crash tests revealed identical 4-star scores for both 2-airbag and 6-airbag versions of the car.

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The premium hatchback underwent rigorous Bharat NCAP evaluation, with Maruti testing two models to reflect real-world trim variations. While the 2-airbag variant’s performance matched the top-end 6-airbag model, the brand proactively standardized the higher safety specification. This aligns with Maruti’s recent strategy, following similar updates for models like Brezza and Fronx.

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Key details of the update:

Mandatory 6 airbags in all Baleno trims (previously only top variant)

Prices expected to rise from current ₹7.89–11.57 lakh (Mumbai on-road)

No design/feature changes – retains 9-inch touchscreen, HUD, 360° camera, ARKAMYS audio

Engine options unchanged: 1.2L petrol (88bhp/113Nm; 5MT/5AMT) and 1.2L CNG (76bhp/113Nm; 5MT)

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The decision reinforces Maruti’s safety-first pivot in response to buyer demand, though the price adjustment may test cost-sensitive segments. With rivals like Tata Altroz (5-star Global NCAP) and Hyundai i20 (3-star) competing in the premium hatch space, the Baleno’s standardized safety could reshape market dynamics.

Deliveries of the updated Baleno begin immediately across dealerships.