What is it?

For starters, the Maruti Suzuki Ignis isn't here to bring in huge numbers. It will sell, of course, but more at Celerio levels than the Swift. And that's because it is more of a 'want' than a 'need'.

Let me explain. The Swift serves a purpose. It is a reliable, good to drive, easy to own hatchback, which has now become the default choice for many. Its styling isn't over the top anymore; its interiors are friendly and likeable; and because of that it is now the sort of car that anyone aged between 25 to 55 doesn't mind owning or being seen in. It serves a need.

The Ignis though is quite different. Its exterior design, though adorable, won't be to everyone's taste. It's like those tiny Hot Wheels cars we loved so much when we were younger. One look at the car – its cute eyes, mildly muscular stance and chubby haunches make you want to put it in your pocket (hang bag for the ladies) and walk away. And those black 15-inch wheels just add to its aura. It's a little odd-looking from the rear, no doubt, but then which Hot Wheels concept was ever beautiful from all quarters.

As you can tell, the Ignis is a car one would ‘want’ to have. It doesn't really serve any particular need apart from one wanting to acquire it. We won't be surprised then if it becomes the default second car in a household. And if it's the only car, chances are a young enthusiast resides in one of those houses.

How is it on the inside?

The young, vibrant and individualistic design idea can be seen on the inside as well. It isn’t as endearing as the Ignis' exterior, but it is fresh. The slab like dash top with an intelligently executed sloping inward bottom half (helps liberate legroom at the front), along with the two-tone finish gives the Ignis' interior good contrast. It also has some body coloured elements on the inside like the around the central tunnel and the front door handles. Additionally, one can order the AC vents in the same colour as the body colour too!

The insides also have varied shapes. You get rectangular and circular aircon vents, a large and squarish stick-on like central screen, cylindrical climate control unit and door handles, and an octagonal central bottle holder. The only thing conventional really is the instrument binnacle. And the gear shifter. Also, the handbrake, the knobs and buttons for window and ORVM adjustment. And the floor pedals. All of the latter is straight off Maruti's small car parts bin.

In terms of the features, this top of the Alpha version matches others in its class. There's keyless entry and start. A driver information system, which is surprisingly detailed with readouts for instantaneous and average fuel economy, average speed, driving time, and range. It also gets touchscreen multimedia unit that's Carplay and Android Auto compatible, a single zone digital climate control, height adjustable driver's seat and steering column, and the steering itself has buttons and toggles for audio and telephony.

And because the Ignis is a Nexa product, all versions of the car come with Isofix seats, dual front airbags and ABS as standard. What's more, since the Ignis is based on an all-new A-platform, it also meets all future frontal, side and pedestrian crash norms. And lest we forget, there's one feature that is exclusive to the Ignis in its class - the all LED headlamp. It's an expensive fixture, even for Maruti, but it gives the car such a strong USP, we think it's a great addition.

Now, the Maruti Suzuki Ignis sits on a smaller wheelbase compared to the Swift, and is in fact only 3.7 metres in length. But surprisingly, it isn’t exactly short on rear knee room. Plus, it is a tall car, so headroom is handsome as well. And if you are wondering how those thick C-pillars make you feel when you are on the inside? Well, they don't seem thick from the inside at all. In fact with Ignis' upright seating, the rear passengers' line of sight is straight out the rear window. So, unless you are a Pug, you shouldn't feel completely hemmed up inside the Ignis.

Furthermore, the boot at 260 litres is bigger than the Swift and the rear seats get split and fold function. But, you still don't get a completely flat loading bay. Moreover, Maruti has ditched the sliding feature for the Ignis in India, which otherwise could have added additional flexibility and another strong USP to the Ignis' package. The only real space constraint inside the Ignis, meanwhile, is the rear shoulder room. It's seriously limited making it a four seater at best.

The seats, though, are well designed. The ones at the front are large and supportive, even if a bit soft. And the ones at the rear offer good back and thigh support and though the back rest feels a little to upright at first, it shouldn't get uncomfortable even on long journeys; at least it seemed fine for the hour I was strapped in the rear seat. What we did miss though was the central rear armrest. And even the one on the door – which doubles up as the door handle – is too hard and edgy to be comfortable.

How does it drive?

Before we get into that, a few facts first. The Ignis is based on the all-new A-platform from Suzuki. It is shorter and more compact than the B-platform the Baleno is based on. But, the idea behind the two is the same, which is to make lighter, stiffer cars that meet both high fuel efficiency and safety requirements. Not surprisingly then, the Ignis in its base trim only weighs 860kg. It's also a tall car with a 180mm ground clearance. And though it runs 15-inch wheels, the tyres are only 175 section in width.

On the road, this gives the Ignis a compact and easy to drive feel from behind the wheel. The clutch and steering operations are light, the gearshifts are crisp and short, and the turning radius is fantastically tight. It's also a car one would end up liking within minutes of jumping in the driver's seat. In this top spec Alpha trim the height adjustable seat and steering give the Ignis a great driving position, no matter what the driver's size or built. The visibility is decent. The positioning of the floor pedals and the gearshift lever is spot on too. And because it is a narrow car, it automatically scores high on ergonomics since everything is less than an arm's length away.

Now, we didn't get to drive the Ignis on a winding road, so we will refrain from going into the handling bit in great detail. But, we will say this, the Ignis courtesy its lightweight and wheels-on-corner design should make for a quick turning car. The only thing that might take away from the joy of driving here is the slow steering and maybe the narrow 175 section tyres. But, we will reserve our judgment on it for a latter date.

The ride meanwhile, isn't exceptional. To begin with, at low speeds, it isn't plush, and though it is quieter and more absorbent than the Balenos and Brezzas of the world, it's still choppy and a tad noisy. The Ignis isn't one of those cars - even though it looks it with its high clearance and all - that you'd be carefree with on a badly paved section of road. Or even on a rough trail. Things improve with speed but the setup still feels a little fragile to take on the rough.

The engine though – the 1.2-litre, four cylinder, 83bhp petrol – is quite agreeable. It doesn't give the Ignis blistering quarter mile times, but it does sound good getting there. It has an easy revving, slightly brawny, and refined edge to its engine note. It's also reasonably torquey in the mid range, which makes city driving less of a chore. And it is quiet in the low and mid range as well.

Even on the highway – which constituted most of our drive – one can comfortably cruise at three digit speeds in top gear without truly feeling the need for additional grunt even while chasing overtakes. The throttle response is progressive and crisp and given that it’s essentially the same drivetrain as in the Swift and Baleno, it should prove to be both reliable and efficient.

The Ignis then, with its styling and drivetrain combo, is like that 26 year old neighbour of yours – a Fashionista who loves her tattoos and enjoys the attention her unconventional aura attracts, but she also never misses family dinners or the grandma's birthday; a very millennial trait.

Should I buy one?

The Maruti Suzuki Ignis, as we said at the start, is a 'want' more than a need. And because it is designed with such flair, you will either love it or dismiss it completely. The biggest reasons to buy the Ignis is styling, after all. So, if you like its adorable aura (clearly, I do), go for it. What’s more, under that dramatic styling, the Ignis is still a pretty practical car. It might not be proven as the Swift and as a result it might not fetch you as high a resale (at least to begin with). But, for a family of four, or even for the single millennial that loves to socialise even in the real world, it fits the purpose.

Where does it fit in?

The Ignis starts at an attractive Rs 4.82 lakh for the Sigma trim (ex-Mumbai); a trim we would avoid. Actually, the only version worth considering is the top of the line Alpha trim with its all-LED headlamps and the central touchscreen; these are the elements that really give the car its character. The Alpha will set you back by at least Rs 8 lakh on the road in Mumbai.

Your options to the Ignis then are the Hyundai Grand i10. Again, a great car – well equipped, spacious and reliable – and it is significantly cheaper as well. There’s also the Ford Figo, which also retails for less, but is less proven. Finally there’s always the Swift. Cheaper and the default choice for many.

Pictures by Kapil Angane

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