From October 1, 2023, all cars and SUVs sold in India will have to come with six airbags as standard. This was done to make cars safer for people inside, as the number of people who want safer cars has been going up constantly. Earlier, all cars sold on or after January 1, 2022, or before that date, had to have two front airbags.
The new rules that require all cars and SUVs to come with six airbags will also raise the price of cars and SUVs. Manufacturers think that putting in a six-airbag system will cost between Rs 12,500 and Rs 15,000. But by the time the car gets to a customer’s house, the cost could be twice or even tripled because of different federal and state taxes.
Some automakers already come with six airbags as standard, but many are still working on improving their lineups. Here is a list of cars and SUVs with six airbags that cost less than Rs 15 lakh, either as an option or as a normal feature:
1. Hyundai Grand i10 Nios
Price: Rs 7.95- lakh-8.51 lakh
The top-of-the-line Hyundai Grand i10 Nios Asta is the cheapest car on the market right now that comes with six airbags from the factory. All of the other models come with four airbags—one for the driver, one for the front passenger, and two side airbags. The Grand i10 Nios has a 1.2-liter gasoline engine that makes 83hp and 114Nm of torque. It can be paired with either a 5-speed manual or an AMT transmission. The Grand i10 Nios is still a reasonable family hatchback that is at home in the city, even after the facelift added new safety features.
2. Maruti Suzuki Baleno
Price: Rs 8.38- lakh-9.88 lakh
The Maruti Suzuki Baleno comes next. The Zeta and Alpha trims come with six airbags as standard. All other trims only have two airbags, one for the driver and one for the passenger. The Baleno is also one of the few cars on this list with a CNG engine and six airbags, though only in the Zeta trim. The Baleno has a 1.2-liter engine that makes 90hp and 113Nm when running on gasoline and 77.5hp and 98.5Nm when running on compressed natural gas. Both have a 5-speed manual transmission, but the gasoline models also have a 5-speed automatic. The Baleno now rides and handles much better, and its safety features and tools are on par with those of its competitors.
3. Hyundai Aura
Price: 8.61 lakh
Like the Grand i10 Nios, the Aura’s top-of-the-line SX (O) trim is the only one with six airbags. All other trims only have four airbags. It has the same 1.2-liter gasoline engine that makes 83hp and 114Nm of torque, but this trim only comes with a 5-speed manual transmission. The new Aura is very easy to drive because the controls are easy to use and the engine runs smoothly. Like all Hyundais, it is also very well equipped.
4. Toyota Glanza
Price: Rs 8.63- lakh-10 lakh
The Toyota Glanza has six airbags on the G and V trims, just like the Baleno it is based on. It also has six airbags with the CNG engine, just like the Maruti Suzuki it is based on. It has the same 1.2-liter engine that makes 90hp and 113Nm of torque when running on gasoline and 77hp and 98.5Nm of torque when running on compressed natural gas. Both have a 5-speed manual transmission, but only the gasoline one has a 5-speed automatic transmission. The engine in the new Glanza is quick, the new suspension makes for a great ride, and the extra safety features and tools will be a big draw for buyers.
5. Hyundai i20
Price: Rs 9.77 – lakh-11.88 lakh
Only the i20 Asta (O) comes with six airbags as standard, just like the other Hyundai cars we’ve talked about. Last year, the hatchback got a 3-star GNCAP grade under the old testing rules. The Grand i10 Nios and Aura come with four stock airbags, but the i20 only comes with two. One is for the driver and the other is for the passenger. The i20 has two engine options: a 1.2-liter petrol with 83hp (88hp with CVT) and 115Nm of torque, or a 1.0-liter turbo-petrol with 120hp and 172Nm of torque.
The first one can be paired with either a 5-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT), but the second one can only be paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. Even though the i20 is expensive, it comes with a lot of features and is a step up, especially in terms of room, comfort, and how it drives. The turbo-petrol is also appealing, but more as a high-end hatchback that can be fun to drive.
6. Kia Carens
Price: Rs 10.45- lakh-18.90 lakh
The Kia Carens is the only MPV on this list, and it’s also the first car on this list to come with six airbags as standard on all trims. Also, it got a 3-star GNCAP grade in June of last year under the old rules. The Carens has three engines: a 1.5-liter turbo-petrol with 160hp and 253Nm, a 1.5-liter petrol with 115hp and 144Nm, and a 1.5-liter turbo-diesel with 116hp and 250Nm.
The turbo-petrol engine is paired with either a 6-speed iMT or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, while the diesel engine is paired with either a 6-speed iMT or a 6-speed automatic transmission, and the gasoline engine is only paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. The third row of the Carens is actually very roomy and comfortable, which helps the Kia stand out in a market full of three-row SUVs and MPVs.
7. Maruti Suzuki Fronx
Price: Rs 10.56 lakh-12.98 lakh
The Maruti Suzuki Fronx is the newest car on this list. Like the Baleno, which it is built on, only the Zeta and Alpha trims come with six airbags. The 1.0-liter ‘Boosterjet’ turbo-petrol engine with 100hp and 148Nm is also back in the Fronx. It can be paired with either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission. If people like how it looks, it is a small crossover that is well-equipped, fairly roomy and useful, and easy to drive.
8. Hyundai Creta
Price: Rs 10.87 lakh-19.21 lakh
The Hyundai Creta is another one of these cars that comes with six airbags as standard across the board. Last year, the Creta got a 3-star GNCAP grade, but that was based on the old rules. You can choose between a 1.5-liter gasoline engine with 115hp and 144Nm of torque or a 1.5-liter diesel engine with 116hp and 250Nm of torque. The first one only has a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while the second one can have either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic engine. Even though not everyone will like the way it looks, Hyundai has played to its strengths by making the car very comfortable and giving a long list of features.
9. Kia Seltos
Price: Rs 10.89 lakh-19.65 lakh
All versions of the Kia Seltos come with six airbags, just like the Creta. Under the old GNCAP rules, it got 3 stars for safety last year. Like its Hyundai sister, it comes with a 1.5-liter petrol engine with 115hp and 144Nm and a 1.5-liter diesel engine with 116hp and 250Nm.
For the gasoline engine, you can choose between a 6-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT), and for the diesel engine, you can choose between a 6-speed iMT or a 6-speed automatic transmission. The Seltos is easy to drive, and it takes a fair amount of work to turn the steering wheel. The ride comfort is also good, with good bump reduction at low speeds and a confident feel at high speeds.
10. Hyundai Verna
Price: Rs 10.90 lakh-17.38 lakh
The Hyundai Verna is the newest midsize car on the market. It is also the only one that comes with six airbags as standard across the board. The Verna comes with two engines: a 1.5-liter gasoline engine with 115hp and 144Nm of torque, and a 1.5-liter turbo-petrol engine with 160hp and 253Nm of torque.
Both have a 6-speed manual transmission, but the first one also has a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while the second one has a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The new Verna is also well-equipped, with features like ADAS that were first in its class. It also does a good job of serving people who come with a driver.
