Six Airbags, Slightly Pricier—Maruti’s Baleno and Ertiga Enter Safer Territory

Image Source : Car And Bike

Maruti Suzuki has announced a marginal exshowroom price hike across two of its popular models—Ertiga and Baleno. The Ertiga sees a 1.4% increase, while the Baleno’s price rises by 0.5%. The revision reflects rising input costs and the integration of enhanced safety features.

Key Highlights:

Ertiga’s price hike translates to an increase of up to Rs 12,500 depending on variant
Baleno’s adjustment adds approximately Rs 4,000 to entrylevel trims
The hike follows Maruti’s broader pricing strategy implemented earlier in 2025 across its Arena and Nexa portfolios

Safety Upgrade:

Maruti Suzuki has confirmed the standardization of six airbags across all Baleno variants
Previously, only Zeta and Alpha trims offered six airbags; Sigma and Delta had two
The move aligns with government safety mandates and Maruti’s renewed focus on passenger protection

Strategic Context:

The safety upgrade is part of Maruti’s commitment to equip all models with six airbags by end2025
Baleno’s Bharat NCAP crash test results showed improved side impact protection in sixairbag variants
The Ertiga, XL6, Ignis, and SPresso are also slated to receive similar upgrades

Market Implications:

Analysts expect the price hike to be offset by improved safety perception and regulatory compliance
Entrylevel buyers may face affordability challenges, but longterm brand value could strengthen

Sources: Autocar India, India Today Auto, CarDekho, Economic Times,