Maruti Suzuki Ignis : Style Icon or Missed Opportunity?

DOES THE IGNIS REALLY STAND OUT IN THE URBAN JUNGLE..?

India got its first taste of the Suzuki Ignis in 2017 when it was launched as a premium hatchback under the company’s NEXA dealership network. The Ignis was marketed as a youthful, urban car targeting young professionals and first-time car buyers who wanted something stylish yet practical. That balance of style and practicality was largely delivered by the Ignis, but how effectively it scored in those areas is what we will explore in this blog. We’ll also take a quick look at its other crucial aspects such as comfort, performance, and safety. So, let’s begin.

Style and Design - 

    The Maruti Suzuki Ignis has always been a distinctive-looking car on Indian roads. Whether viewed from the front, side, or rear, it has a boxy silhouette—but in an intentionally funky and characterful way. The front doesn’t resemble any other model in Maruti Suzuki’s lineup. It features a vertical, four-slatted grille with Suzuki’s logo positioned centrally, along with a chunky silver-coloured cladding beneath.The headlights are charmingly compact, featuring U-shaped DRLs that add a playful touch, combined with LED projector elements for a more premium feel. The front fascia, overall, appears muscular and confident.

However, this muscular impression fades when viewed from the side. The Ignis’s small footprint, shorter doors, and modest wheel size are evident. The wheel arches try to revive the sporty stance but fall slightly short, giving the car a somewhat squat appearance. The wing mirrors, integrated with turn indicators, are a neat and practical inclusion.

The rear three-quarter view is arguably its best angle. The Ignis sports its signature three descending stripe design on the C-pillars—a quirky and easily recognisable detail. The slightly angular C-pillar complements the overall boxy form. From the back, the tailgate is relatively flat with square-cut tail lamps, though their design feels somewhat uninspired. The rear bumper, finished with black cladding and a silver accent in the centre, enhances the squat stance. In some trims, a small roof spoiler is added above the rear window, subtly amplifying the sporty, youthful vibe. Despite borrowing SUV-inspired styling cues, the Ignis maintains a compact, city-friendly footprint.

Engine and Gearbox -

       Currently, the Ignis is powered by a 1.2L naturally aspirated petrol engine, paired with either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT transmission. The first thing you’ll notice is the engine’s remarkable refinement—it runs smoothly, with minimal vibrations, and produces a pleasantly raspy tone when revved. It delivers around 81 horsepower and 113 Nm of torque, which feels adequate for city driving, though the torque can feel insufficient during spirited acceleration or on steep inclines.

The major letdown is the AMT gearbox. It feels abrupt and unpolished, with slow, hesitant shifts that often rob the engine of its otherwise enjoyable character. The gearbox also insists on upshifting only past 2000 RPM, even in manual mode, making stop-go traffic frustrating. Interestingly, other Maruti AMT-equipped cars like the Celerio or Swift/Dzire exhibit far smoother shifting behaviour. The reasoning might be that the Ignis is aimed at younger buyers who enjoy spirited driving—but in practice, this calibration doesn’t add much joy.

Ride and Handling -

      Where the Ignis truly shines is in its handling. Maruti Suzuki has engineered a rigid chassis and stiff suspension setup, allowing the car to corner with confidence and stability. You can carry impressive speeds through bends without feeling unsettled.

However, this comes at the expense of ride comfort. The stiff suspension transmits most road imperfections into the cabin—be it speed breakers, bridge joints, or small potholes. Regardless of speed, the cabin never feels truly comfortable, and journeys longer than 3–4 hours can feel tiring and jarring. Even with a full passenger load, the suspension remains firm, with little improvement in compliance. This has been a consistent issue across facelifts, and it still hasn’t been addressed.

Braking - 

     The Ignis uses ventilated discs at the front and drum brakes at the rear. Braking performance is progressive and confidence-inspiring, aided by the car’s light kerb weight and stiff suspension, which helps maintain stability under hard braking. Tests show a stopping distance of about 36 metres from 80 km/h to zero respectable, though not segment-leading.

Features - 

     The Ignis is equipped with a decent list of features for its segment. It offers a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The interface is intuitive, and the presence of physical knobs for the air conditioning is both practical and user-friendly. Auto climate control is included, though you won’t find extras like a sunroof or advanced driver assistance features (ADAS).

The audio system, comprising four speakers and two tweeters, delivers clear and punchy sound quality. Standard safety kit across all trims includes dual airbags, ABS with EBD, and ISOFIX child seat mounts. LED projector headlamps remain a standout feature in the segment, though in terms of overall equipment, the Ignis doesn’t outshine its rivals.

Build and safety -

     In today’s market, safety and build quality are non-negotiable for many buyers. Unfortunately, this is where the Ignis struggles. Its Global NCAP safety rating of zero stars is a serious concern. The cabin materials feel flimsy, and the fit-and-finish is inconsistent, with occasional rattles and squeaks emerging over time. The doors lack the reassuring “thud” associated with solidly built cars, further diminishing confidence.

While the Ignis may last mechanically—as most Maruti cars do—the tactile experience feels cost-cutting-heavy. Maruti Suzuki should prioritise improving this aspect in future iterations to make the Ignis a more convincing all-rounder.

Verdict - 

     The Maruti Suzuki Ignis brings a refreshing dose of style and individuality to the premium hatchback space. Its unique boxy-yet-funky design, peppy and refined 1.2L petrol engine, and impressive handling make it a fun companion for short urban drives. It checks the boxes for youthful appeal, easy manoeuvrability, and basic features, while its compact footprint is perfect for crowded city streets. However, the jerky AMT gearbox, overly stiff suspension, and below-par ride comfort seriously limit its long-distance usability. Add to that its low GNCAP safety rating, average build quality, and minimal feature set compared to rivals, and the Ignis starts to feel like a style-first car rather than a complete package.

In short, the Ignis is great if you want a small, stylish, and spirited city runabout, but look elsewhere if comfort, safety, and a premium cabin feel are high on your priority list.

So, does the Ignis really stand out in the urban jungle? 

Yes, it turns heads—but it doesn’t always win hearts.






- Shantanu Kulkarni