Maruti Suzuki Baleno

The Premium Budget Hatchback

The B-2 segment in India is replete with plenty of options for car buyers, ranging from Nissan’s Magnite and Citroen’s C3 to Tata’s Altroz, Maruti Suzuki’s Baleno, and the Baleno’s sibling, the Toyota Glanza. 

However the Maruti Suzuki Baleno continues to dominate the segment, selling nearly 1,00,000 units in the first half of 2023 alone. What makes the Beleno such a popular choice among buyers? Is it the range of features that even some C segment cars will find hard to compete with? Or the reliability, affordability and no fuss ownership experience of Maruti Suzuki? Let’s find out in our Maruti Suzuki Baleno review.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno Pros and Cons 

Maruti Suzuki Baleno Exterior Design 

The 2022 Baleno has undergone the surgical knife so to speak, and as a result is a much sharper looking car all around. Gone is the round, bloated looking design. The new Baleno looks meaner and sleeker with nips and tucks in all the right places. The head lamps are now sharper, with triple LED DRLs and projector headlamps and the white fog lamps are integrated well into the front bumper, which is also reshaped. The new honeycomb grille goes well with the flatter bonnet, giving the front a wider look. The rear is also redesigned. While the basic shape is the same, the tail lamps flow into the boot lid and the C-shaped look suits the overall aesthetic of the car. 

The side profile is the same, and unmistakably Baleno, but the 16 inch rims (15 inch in the lower trims) look premium and exude class. The cameras are located in the front grille, in the ORVMs and boot and don’t stand out and spoil the look. Maruti Suzuki says it has used better materials for all the panels, and the doors do have more heft to them than previous models. How much this improves safety is unknown, although it has to be better than the zero star NCAP rating the original Baleno received.

The Baleno also gets a regular antenna and not a shark fin, which personally, this writer likes. One sore point is the chrome finish under the rear glass. It looks blingy and may not be to everyone’s taste. 

Maruti Suzuki Baleno Interiors 

The interiors of the 2022 Baleno facelift will be familiar to anyone who has been inside the previous car, with adequate updates to feel new. The flat bottom steering wheel feels great to hold and the Baleno also gets a heads up display unit similar to the one on the Fronx. The seats are the same but are now covered in a new fabric that feels of similar quality to the older one. The door bins can all store 1-litre bottles and there are a bunch of other spaces to store your valuables in, such as a decently sized glove box (not cooled), cup holders and pockets to store your phone in. Sadly, there is no wireless charging pad. The 318 litre boot on the Baleno is also spacious enough to carry large suitcases, and the rear seats are 60:40 split in case you ever need to transport larger cargo. 

The dashboard too has undergone changes, and the showpiece is the 9 inch touchscreen and some really funky looking air vents. The finish is now two-tone, which does make the cabin feel roomier than it is. Passengers in the rear also get an AC vent and two charging ports (USB A and C). Overall, the new Baleno, despite an abundance of hard plastics, doesn’t feel as flimsy as the older model.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno Comfort 

The Baleno was always a comfortable place to be in, and the new 2022 facelift is no different. The shape of the front seats is unchanged, and that’s a good thing because they are still one of the comfiest in the segment with enough cushioning and support to keep you comfortable even after long hours. The UV cut glass cuts out the sunlight and helps the AC keep the cabin cool, and the fabric seats fare well compared to leatherette in summers. The lack of ventilated seats is felt though, as they are a nifty trick to have up your sleeve when getting into the car on scorching days. 

The steering wheel can be adjusted for rake and reach, and combined with the seat adjustment, you won’t find it hard to find your ideal driving position. The rear seats are also decent with good knee and leg room, but just like the Fronx, three adults are a squeeze. The Baleno looks like a wide car from the outside but sadly this doesn’t translate to the inside and is best suited for two adults. The underthigh and back support in the rear could also have been better. There is also no sunroof on offer and the addition of one would have really helped the cabin feel more airy. 

Maruti Suzuki Baleno Performance and Handling

The 1.2-litre VVT, 4 cylinder DOHC petrol engine produces 88 bhp and 113 Nm of torque and is available with either a 5-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual transmission. The Baleno now gets an AMT automatic rather than a CVT, and this new gearbox is more economical but also feels more sluggish. You really have to push the automatic if you want to drive enthusiastically. The manual on the other hand is tuned quite well and is quite tractable, allowing you to be in higher gears at lower speeds, making it great for chugging around in the city. The 113 Nm of torque does feel inadequate when overtaking and you are left wanting for a little more grunt. 

The suspension on the Baleno is stiffer, but still doesn’t inspire confidence at higher speeds. The car is also unsettled quite easily over bumps and you do have to be careful. 

Where the Baleno shines is in the way it is to drive as a daily commuter. The clutch is feather light and even if you’re stuck in long traffic jams your leg will not feel fatigue. The same goes for the steering wheel and gear shifts on the manual, which are light and smooth respectively. Overall, the Baleno is a great car to drive around in the city and is capable of highway runs too as long as you keep your speed in check. Note to Maruti Suzuki: Please slap a turbo onto the Baleno with a stiffer suspension.   

The Baleno is also available with a CNG kit that produces 76 bhp and 98.5 Nm.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno Key specifications 

Maruti Suzuki Baleno Safety Features

While we hope the Baleno will score a better NCAP rating, the overall build of the car does feel better and the door does have noticeable heft to it compared to the older model. You also get six airbags, overspeed warning, ABS, EBD, brake assist, hill hold control, traction control, and a tyre pressure monitoring system. 

Maruti Suzuki Baleno Technology and Infotainment

The first thing you notice upon entering the cabin is the new, 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system that is a lot more responsive. The six speaker Arkamys system produces good sound and is more than enough to fill the cabin with your favourite music. The sound does tend to distort at higher volumes and is something to keep in mind. The Baleno also gets the heads up display unit like the one on the Fronx and this is a great little gadget to have that helps you keep your eyes on the road at all times, displaying valuable information such as your speed. The 360 degree camera is a first in the segment and does the job well, although the picture quality could have been better. The driver instrument cluster is analogue with a digital display in the centre, and one of its features is to show the power and torque being used. A bit pointless for a car that is not very fun to drive. 

Is the Maruti Suzuki Baleno for you?
 

The Baleno shows once again why it is the best-selling hatchback in the segment, and why its only real competitors are Maruti Suzuki’s own Swift and Fronx. It’s a comfortable cabin to be in, with enough tech to keep the car relevant for a few years to come. The driveability makes it great for anyone looking for a daily commuter on a budget and the reliability of Maruti Suzuki is unmatched. If you’re looking for a budget hatchback with premium features for yourself or a small family that is capable of city commutes and the occasional road trip, go for it with your eyes closed.