The Baleno is a premium hatchback from Maruti. Maruti launched the Baleno back in 2015, and then the automaker provided some cosmetic changes in the form of a facelift. The Baleno is larger than the Swift, and its direct competitors are Hyundai’s i20 and Honda’s Jazz. Let’s take a deeper look into the Baleno and find out if it is worth it.
Pros – Peppy Engine, Spacious Cabin, Good Ride Quality
Cons – No Diesel Engine, Build Quality Could Be Better
Maruti Baleno Exteriors
On the front, the Baleno gets a V-shape grille with a typical Suzuki style. There is a kind of 3D treatment given to the front grille which looks appealing. The headlights match with the front grille chrome lining and they have a lot of details too. On the side, the wing mirrors are mounted on the door rather than being on the pillar. As a result, you have good visibility around, and this also helps to cut the wind noise up to a certain extent. The tail is well-styled, and there is a chrome strip in the centre. The tail lights are well designed and look appealing too.
Maruti Baleno Interiors
The Baleno comes equipped with Maruti’s SmartPlay infotainment system. It supports Navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Voice Command, Bluetooth, USB & AUX connectivity, Steering mounted controls, Remote Control through SmartPlay Studio App. Other features include automatic climate control, electrically adjustable, and foldable ORVMs, reverse parking camera, reverse parking sensors, Auto-Dimming IRVM, LED projector headlamps and much more.
Maruti Baleno Space
The front seats of the Baleno provide a generous amount of support. Rear space is one of the highlights of the Baleno apart from the relative shortage of headroom. The legroom is good, and the cabin is also wide enough. Three people at back are a tight squeeze, but one can manage for short rides.
Maruti Baleno Engine Performance
The Maruti Baleno is offered with two petrol engine options. The 1.2-litre K12 engine comes mated with either a 5-speed manual or a CVT gearbox. With petrol Smart Hybrid, you don’t get an option of CVT. The power figure for the regular petrol engine is 82 HP @ 6000 RPM, and for the petrol Smart Hybrid is 88 HP @ 6000 RPM. The torque output for both the powertrain options is 113 Nm @ 4200-4400 RPM. The engine is peppy, and the Baleno being a lighter car adds more fun to it. The motor feels smooth, and there is no harshness, even at the redline. With the CVT at low speeds, the Baleno feels quite peppy but, once you reach higher RPMs, the rubber band effect comes into the picture. The CVT is not the choice for enthusiasts, it does its job well in the day-to-day driving conditions.
Maruti Baleno Mileage
The BS6 Maruti Baleno has an ARAI rated fuel efficiency of 21.01 km/l for the regular petrol version. In the real-world conditions, it will return around 13-16 km/l in city traffic conditions and 16-19 km/l out on the highways. The Baleno CVT has an ARAI rated fuel efficiency of 19.56 km/l. In the real-world conditions, it will return around 13-14 km/l in city traffic conditions and 15-18 km/l out on the highways. The Baleno Smart Hybrid has an ARAI rated fuel efficiency of 23.87 km/l. In the real-world conditions, it will return around 14-16 km/l in city traffic conditions and 16-21 km/l out on the highways. Fuel efficiency depends upon the style of driving and traffic conditions.
Maruti Baleno Handling
The Maruti Baleno is stable at high speeds and remains poised over uneven roads. It isn’t a sharp handler like the Swift but it still boasts of good driving manners. The steering is very light but feels a bit vague at high speeds.
Maruti Baleno Comfort
The Baleno is a comfortable place to be in thanks to its softer suspension tune. The suspension feels finely balanced, and it absorbs the bad patches of the road easily. There are no thud noises felt from the suspension, which compliments its ride quality.
Maruti Baleno Safety
In terms of safety equipment, the Baleno gets dual airbags, ABS with EBD, immobilizer, front disc brakes, driver and passenger seat belt reminder, ISOFIX Child seat mounts, high-speed warnings are standard across all the variants.
Maruti Baleno Service
It is a known fact that Maruti has an excellent sales and service network over the entire country. You can find a Maruti service station in any city, town or village. The Baleno is also known to be a reliable hatchback.
Maruti Baleno Price
Following are the prices (on-road Mumbai) of the variants offered in the Maruti Baleno:
- Maruti Baleno Sigma MT: – Rs. 6.63 lakhs
- Maruti Baleno Delta MT: – Rs. 7.55 lakhs
- Maruti Baleno Zeta MT: – Rs. 8.19 lakhs
- Maruti Baleno Alpha MT: – Rs. 8.90 lakhs
- Maruti Baleno Delta CVT: – Rs. 9.04 lakhs
- Maruti Baleno Zeta CVT: – Rs. 9.68 lakhs
- Maruti Baleno Alpha CVT: – Rs. 10.39 lakhs
- Maruti Baleno Delta MT (Smart Hybrid): – Rs. 8.55 lakhs
- Maruti Baleno Zeta MT (Smart Hybrid): – Rs. 9.19 lakhs
Maruti Baleno Resale Value
The Maruti Baleno is a reliable car and has built a good brand value over the years. It comes with the hassle-free ownership experience. The Maruti Baleno commands a good resale value in the used car market.
Maruti Baleno Colours
The Maruti Baleno is offered in the following colours:
- Nexa Blue
- Metallic Magma Grey
- Metallic Premium Silver
- Pearl Phoenix Red
- Pearl Arctic White
Maruti Baleno Specs
Following are the specifications of the BS6 Maruti Baleno:
- Engine: – 1197cc, 4 Cylinder, Petrol | 1197, 4 Cylinder Petrol Smart Hybrid
- Power: – 82 HP @ 6000 RPM | 88 HP @ 6000 RPM
- Torque: – 113 Nm @ 4200-4400 RPM
- Transmission: – 5-Speed Manual, CVT | 5-Speed Manual
- Fuel Efficiency (ARAI): – 21.01 km/l (MT), 19.56 (CVT) | 23.87 km/l (MT)
- Fuel Efficiency (Real World): – 13-16 km/l (City Traffic), 16-19 km/l (Highway) | 14-16 km/l (City Traffic), 16-21 km/l (Highway)
- Dimensions (L X W X H): – 3995 mm x 1745 mm x 1510 mm
- Wheelbase: – 2520 mm
- Ground Clearance: – 170 mm
- Kerb Weight: – 865 – 935 kgs
- Fuel Tank Capacity: – 37 litres
- Boot Capacity: – 339 litres
- Turning Radius: – 4.9 metres
- Tire Size: – 185/65 R14 (Steel), 195/55 R16 (Alloy)
- Suspension: – Mac Pherson Strut (Front), Torsion Beam (Rear)
- Brakes: – Disc (Front), Drum (Rear)
Maruti Baleno Variants
The Maruti Baleno (Regular Petrol Variant) is offered in the following variants:
- Sigma (MT)
- Delta (MT/CVT)
- Zeta (MT/CVT)
- Alpha (MT/CVT)
The Maruti Baleno (Smart Hybrid Petrol Variant) is offered in the following variants:
- Delta (MT)
- Zeta (MT)
Maruti Baleno Rating
We give the Maruti Baleno a rating of 4/5.
Maruti Baleno Upcoming Models
Right now the company isn’t planning to launch any updated model of the Baleno and a new generation is expected only after 2022.
Maruti Baleno vs Hyundai i20
In terms of engine output figures, power output for both the cars have identical figures but in torque, the Hyundai Elite i20 has got 4 Nm extra than the Maruti Baleno. In terms of dimensions, the Maruti Baleno is longer and wider by 10mm when compared with the Hyundai Elite i20. In terms of features, the i20 has got its leg ahead of the Maruti Baleno. The i20 is also offered with 3 engine options including a diesel and a turbo petrol.
Maruti Baleno vs Honda Jazz
The power output figures of both the cars are similar in terms of torque the Baleno gets an additional 3 Nm. In terms of dimensions, the Baleno is wider by 51 mm. On the flip side, the Honda Jazz is taller by 34 mm than the Maruti Baleno, and also the Honda Jazz has more boot space when compared with the Maruti Baleno. The Jazz BS6 isn’t available with a diesel engine, just like the Baleno.
Maruti Baleno vs Tata Altroz
The Tata Altroz is India’s safest hatch with a 5-star rating in the crash test. The build quality of the Tata Altroz is far better than the Maruti Baleno. The engine output figures are nearly similar for both the cars. There is an option of the diesel engine in the Tata Altroz which might attract more buyers towards it. But on the contrary, as of now, there is no option of an automatic in Tata Altroz. In terms of dimensions, both cars are nearly identical. The Altroz now also gets a turbo petrol engine.
Maruti Baleno vs Toyota Glanza
The Toyota Glanze is the re-badged version of the Maruti Baleno with Toyota logo. All the things like engine, features, dimensions are the same as the Maruti Baleno. The only advantage with the Glanza is you get a better warranty than the Maruti Baleno.
