In a significant move reflecting India’s evolving automotive priorities, Maruti Suzuki has announced that its flagship SUV, the Grand Vitara, will now come with six airbags as standard across all variants, including the base model.

In a move that’s either inspired by competition or sheer FOMO, the Grand Vitara now comes with six airbags as standard, even in its most basic variant. That’s right, no more “Sir, please upgrade to the top model for safety!”

Hyundai Creta Played the Safety Card First, Grand Vitara Said ‘Hold My Airbag!’

Looks like the Hyundai Creta started this safety party by making six airbags standard earlier this year. And just like that one friend who copies your homework but makes it slightly better, Maruti Suzuki went, “Fine, we’ll do it too—but with extra flair!” So now Grand Vitara enjoys the same safety standards as Creta from the base model itself, along with strong answer to "Kitna Deti hai".

This isn’t Maruti’s first rodeo, though. Earlier, they upgraded the Brezza to six airbags after seeing rivals like the Tata Nexon and Kia Sonet flexing their safety muscles. Clearly, peer pressure works wonders—even in the car world! Brezza was getting thretend by Syros too and 6 airbag from base came after Syros got serious attention for the same.

Indian Shifting Automotive Priorities and Maruti's strategy

Indian government still only requires two airbags, but carmakers are finally realizing that buyers aren’t dumb. Safety isn’t a “premium feature” anymore—it’s basic human decency (and good marketing).

For years, the holy trinity of Indian car buying was: "Kitna deti hai?" (Mileage), "Dikhao discount" (Price), and "Sunroof hai kya?" (Because priorities). But guess what? Buyers have finally realized that no amount of fuel efficiency can outrun physics in a crash.

Maruti Suzuki, the undisputed king of "lightweight = more mileage," faced a real conundrum. Adding six airbags, stronger structures, and safety tech meant extra weight—and their beloved "20kmpl+" claims were under threat. But in a genius move, they pulled out their hybrid card—literally!

Mild Hybrid (SHVS): "We’ll save fuel so you don’t cry at the pump!"

Strong Hybrid (Toyota tech): "Who needs petrol when you’ve got batteries.

Gone are the days when "safety = heavy = mileage suffer = no sale." Today’s buyer wants:

✅ 6 airbags (because family > frugality)

✅ 5-star safety (because Instagram reels of crash tests are scary)

✅ Still decent mileage (because petrol prices are a nightmare)

If 2020 was about "sunroof or nothing," 2025 is about "survive or nothing." And thankfully, even mileage-obsessed brands like Maruti are adapting.