Hyundai has made a commendable move towards ensuring vehicle safety by introducing six airbags as standard across its entire lineup, including the sub-four-metre sedan, the Aura. This decision came as part of Hyundai’s broader commitment to prioritize safety in its cars.
Previously, certain Hyundai models like the Exter, i20, i20 N Line, Verna, Creta, Alcazar, Tucson, Kona Electric, and the Ioniq 5 were already equipped with six airbags as a standard feature. However, some models like the Aura, Grand i10 Nios, Venue, and the Venue N Line did not initially include this crucial safety feature.
The Hyundai Aura is available in four variants: E, S, SX, and SX(O), and it offers both petrol and CNG fuel options. The sedan is powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine, delivering 82bhp and 114Nm of torque in the petrol version and 68bhp and 95Nm of torque in the CNG variant. All variants come with a five-speed manual gearbox as standard, with the option of an AMT unit available in select models.
The Hyundai Aura competes with other popular sub-four-metre sedans in the Indian market, including the Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Honda Amaze, and the Tata Tigor. It is important to note that Hyundai Aura is the only compact sedan in Indian market offering 6 airbags.
It is worth noting that this move aligns with a growing awareness among consumers in India regarding the importance of vehicle safety. Safety-conscious buyers are increasingly looking for cars equipped with advanced safety features, which has motivated car manufacturers to prioritize safety in their designs.
Leading Indian automakers like Mahindra and Tata have been at the forefront of this trend, offering vehicles with robust safety features and build quality. Other manufacturers are also recognizing the significance of providing safer options to Indian consumers.
Hyundai’s decision to make six airbags standard across its lineup demonstrates its commitment to providing safer vehicles for its customers in India. With road safety becoming a top priority, such initiatives by automakers are likely to set a positive precedent for the industry. It is expected that more manufacturers will follow suit, ultimately contributing to safer roads for everyone. While the Indian government initially pushed for 6 airbags as standard by October 2022 for all cars sold in India, this proposal was deferred after protests from car makers, many of whom stated that adding 6 airbags to entry level cars would make them too expensive. For now, 6 airbags continue to be optional although it’s heartening to see many car makers like Hyundai offering this safety feature as standard.
