Gone are the days when safety was not even a part of the checklist people followed while buying a car. 2 airbags were perfect and very few people knew about what the crash test rating was. Fast forward to today, these overlooked features have now become one of the few most important deciding factors. The increasing tightening of safety standards in cars gave birth to the mandate of 6 airbags feature by the Government. However, The rollout of the 6 airbags rule has been pushed to October of 2023. Even with ample time given for adapting to new rules, some manufacturers have started with the necessary safety feature addition already.
Here are the Top 5 list of most affordable cars with 6 airbags in India
1. Maruti Suzuki Baleno - Zeta, Starting From 8.36 Lakh (ex-showroom)
Maruti Suzuki Baleno saw a facelift in 2023 which brought many updates to its previous generation. Many features like the heads-up display, revamped interiors, and 360 cameras made their way to the new Baleno. With these, 6 airbags are also integrated into the Zeta and the top Alpha variant. Which is a big jump from the only 2 airbags offered on the previous Baleno.
More safety features include ABS with EBD, reverse parking sensor, ESP, and Hill-Hold Assist. The new Baleno comes with a petrol engine of 1.2 l producing 113 Nm of torque and 90 PS of power.
With an 8.26 lakh ex-showroom price, it is currently the most affordable option on the market.
2. Hyundai i20 - Starting From Asta (O)
The top model of the premium hatchback Hyundai i20 - Asta (O) provides 6 airbags along with a reverse parking camera, reverse parking sensors, ABS with EBD, Hill Hold Assist, TPMS, ESC, and ISOFIX child seat.
The i20 comes with 3 engine options - a 1 l turbo petrol engine, a 1.5 litre 4 cylinder naturally aspirated engine, and a 4-cylinder 1.5-litre diesel. Additionally, it scored 3 stars in NCAP crash test ratings.
The ex-showroom price of i20 Asta (O) starts from 9.59 lakhs.
3. Kia Carens - 6 Airbags Across All Trims
Kia Carens starting from its base variant offers a suite of safety features. 6 airbags are standard across all the trims with more safety features like ABS with EBD, ESP, Hill-Hold Assist, TPMS, and all-wheel disc brakes. This makes it one of the most feature-rich MPV offerings on a base variant.
The Kia Carens offer 3 engine options, a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, a 1.4 l turbo petrol, and a diesel 1.5-litre engine. Also, it scores a 3 Star rating on the NCAP crash test.
The ex-showroom price of the base variant starts from 10.20 lakh.
4.Hyundai i20 N Line - Starting From N8 Variant
The Hyundai i20 N line is the more performance-oriented sibling of the Hyundai i20. The top-of-the-line n8 variant offers the 6 airbags safety system. On top of that, it also offers a reverse parking camera, reverse parking sensor TPMS, ABS with EBD, Hill Assist Control, and all 4 disc brakes. There are a few cosmetic upgrades as well like the all-black interiors and sporty red accent on the skirtings of the car.
The N Line sibling comes with a TGDi 1 litre Turbo-petrol engine that is mated to a 7-speed DCT and a 6-speed iMT as well.
The ex-showroom price of the i20 N Line N8 starts from Rs. 11.03 lakh onwards
Also, Read- Exclusive: Mahindra Thar 4X2 in Special Golden Colour.
5. Hyundai Venue- 6 Airbags Set-up On The SX (O) Variant
The Hyundai Venue, on its top-end SX (O)trim, offers the safety of 6 Airbags. Interestingly, the outgoing generation also boasted of having 6 airbags on its top variant. Along with this, it gets ABS with EBD, reverse parking camera with sensors, ESC, VSM, Highline TPMS and Hill Hold Assist as well.
The 3 engine options on the Hyundai Venue are the same as the i20. A 1 l turbo petrol engine, a 1.5 litre 4cylinder naturally aspirated engine, and a 4-cylinder 1.5-litre diesel.
The ex-showroom price tag of the Venue SX (O) is Rs. 11.92 lakhs.
Summarizing the Top 5 (all prices are ex-showroom).
- Maruti Suzuki Baleno (hatchback) starts from the Zeta variant at Rs. 8.36 lakh.
- Hyundai i20 (hatchback) Top Trim Asta (O) at Rs.9.59 lakh
- Kia Carens (MPV) in all variants starting at Rs.10.20 lakh
- Hyundai i20 N Line (hatchback) top model N8 at Rs.11.03 lakh.
- Hyundai Venue (SUV) in the top Variant SX(O) at RS. 11.92 lakh.
Verdict- With more and more awareness regarding the safety features amongst the buyers, 6 Airbags is definitely a welcome mandate and a necessity as well. With more affordable options as mentioned in the list above, you will have plenty of good choices if a minimum of 6 airbags is what you're looking for.
