On July 10th, Hyundai will be launching it’s affordable Micro SUV, Exter, that will come with many features something the Maruti’s hatchback Ignis is behind. So, we thought why don’t we compare the two against each other to find out which model you should consider buying!
From the outside, the Exter has flat bonnet with a big Hyundai logo on it and the three-tier design nose. It has H-shaped LED DRLs that are connected via a black strip that could possibly be a connected LED light bar for the top variant. The headlamps are square shape that are projector headlamps and could be an LED for top variants. Then there is the body cladding finished in matte black all over the car to contribute towards the Exter’s looks. Moving to the side, you’ll realize the SUV has boxy shape. The doors seems to be big enough to accommodate easy in’s and out’s of the SUV. The alloy wheels, roof rails, and A and B-pillars has the dual-tone treatment. It has an upright tailgate with the rear windshield slightly tilted, shark fin antenna at the top, small roof-spoiler, flat and tall rear bumper with dual-tone finished. The taillamps has an H-shaped in them with a big black panel and big Hyundai logo at the center.
Form the outside, the Maruti Ignis has a U-shape LED DRLs with LED Projector headlamps between them and the grille has four U-shape blocks with Maruti Suzuki logo at the center. The Grille and the headlamps are covered in one single piece of chrome, and below that is the LED fog lamps. The bumpers at the front and rear are finished in faux silver skid plate. Moving to the side, it has a high stance like an SUV which makes getting in and out easier. It has slight cuts on body, functional roof-rails, and rides on 15-inch alloy wheels. Moving to the rear, it has spoiler on the top, rear wiper on the windshield and LED taillamps with halogen indicators.
From the inside, the Hyundai Exter has an 8-inch infotainment system with two round dials on left and right of the system, and four buttons both the sides above the dials to control the infotainment system. The Exter comes with dual-tone dashboard theme option with round AC vents at the sides, and rectangular AC vents below the infotainment system. The Exter has a three-spoke multi-function steering wheel with digital instrument cluster, automatic climate control below the AC vents, and single-pane sunroof on top. Moving to the rear, the seats are split in 60:40 ratio with the center passenger getting no headrest, rear AC vents, and it’ll have 6-speaker sound system.
As for the Maruti Ignis, it has an 7-inch infotainment system positioned between the two AC vents and the two AC vents at the sides are circular in shape. It has an dual-tone dashboard theme option as well and comes with a three-spoke multi-function steering wheel and analog instrument cluster with a small TFT display on the right side of the big analog dial at the center. Below the automatic climate control, it has two cupholders and a manual handbrake. Moving to the rear, the seats are split in 60:40 ratio and comes with 6-speaker sound system.
So, from the outside, and from the inside, the Hyundai Exter looks way better than the Ignis given both the cars from the outside looks bold and muscly, while the interiors of Exter is a bit more techy and modern than the Ignis.
| Hyundai Exter | Maruti Ignis | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.2-litre Kappa Engine | 1.2-litre petrol |
| Displacement | 1197cc | 1197cc |
| Power | 81.8 bhp | 81.80 bhp |
| Torque | 113.8 Nm | 113 Nm |
| Transmission | 5-speed MT, 5-speed AMT | 5-speed MT, 5-speed AMT |
| Fuel Efficiency | – | 20.89 kmpl |
When it comes to Engine Options, both the Exter and the Ignis comes with normal Petrol powertrain. The Exter is powered by the 1.2-litre Kappa petrol engine producing 81.8 bhp and 113.8 Nm of torque paired to 5-speed Manual and 5-speed Automatic Gearbox. The Ignis has the 1.2-litre petrol engine which produces 81.80 bhp and 113 Nm of torque mated to a 5-speed Manual and 5-speed Automatic Gearbox with fuel efficiency of 20.89 kmpl.
| Hyundai Exter | |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.2-litre Bi-Fuel (CNG) |
| Displacement | 1197 |
| Power | 67.72 bhp |
| Torque | 95.2 Nm |
| Transmission Type | 5-speed MT |
Other than the petrol engine on offer, Exter also has a CNG powertrain on offer. The Exter has a 1.2-litre Bi-Fuel (CNG) engine that puts out 67.72 bhp and 95.2 Nm of torque mated to a 5-speed Manual Gearbox only, no Automatic Gearbox on offer.
In Hyundai Exter, it comes with features like 8-inch infotainment system with Apple Carplay/Android Auto, automatic climate control, LED Projector headlamps, LED taillamps, 15-inch alloy wheels, digital instrument cluster, wireless charging pad, single-pane sunroof, cruise control, connected car tech, height adjustable driver seat, voice control, and cooled glovebox. In Safety, it has six airbags as standard, ABS with EBD, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Tyre-Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), hill-hold assist, reverse-parking camera with rear parking sensors, ISOFIX anchorages, front disc brakes, and automatic headlamps.
As for the Maruti Ignis, it’s got features like LED Projector headlamps, LED taillamps, 15-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, 7-inch infotainment system with Apple Carplay/Android Auto, height adjustable driver seat, and 6-speaker sound system. Safety features include two airbags, reverse parking camera with rear parking sensors, automatic headlamps, cruise control, ABS with EBD, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill Assist, Front Disc brakes, and ISOFIX anchorages.
| Model | Price (ex-showroom) |
|---|---|
| Hyundai Exter | Expected Rs. 6 lakh |
| Maruti Suzuki Ignis | Rs. 5.84 lakh – Rs. 8.16 lakh |
The Maruti Ignis starts at Rs. 5.84 lakh for the base ‘Sigma’ variant and goes up to Rs. 8.16 lakh for the top ‘Alpha Automatic’ variant. As for the Hyundai Exter, we expect the starting price to be Rs. 6 lakh for the base ‘EX’ variant.
As for the warranty, the Hyundai Exter has a warranty period of 3 years/1,00,000 km that can be extended up to 7 years/1,00,000 km, and Maruti offers 2 years/40,000 warranty period for the Ignis that can be extended up to 5 years/1,00,000 km.
In the end, the decision to buy which car depends totally on you, however, if you ask us, it is better to wait for the launch of Hyundai Exter which is on July 10th, that will come loads of features which the Maruti Ignis doesn’t get, and engine power output is same as the Ignis. The Maruti Ignis however, is in desperate need of an update even though the handling, fuel efficiency, and performance is good, it certainly is very behind in features. So, if you’re willing to wait for Hyundai Exter launch, it’s an good decision or otherwise you can opt for the Maruti Ignis. So, which one would you choose?