Maruti Baleno Review – Price, Specifications, Mileage, Images & More

Maruti Baleno Review

Latest update: Maruti Baleno continues to sell through the roof by consistently clocking more than 10,000 sales month after month. Offered in both the petrol and diesel engine options, the premium hatchback is retailed through Nexa outlets and comes in four variants – Sigma, Delta, Zeta and Alpha. Power figures of its 1.2-litre petrol engine read 84PS/115Nm with a claimed mileage of 21.4kmpl; whereas for 1.3-litre diesel, they read 75PS/90Nm with impressive fuel economy of 27.39kmpl. Besides the standard 5-speed manual transmission, the CVT is only offered with the petrol variants.

Priced between Rs 5.31 lakh and Rs 8.49 lakh, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno rivals the 2018 Hyundai Elite i20, Volkswagen Polo and the Honda Jazz.

Overview

Maruti Suzuki has been leading the Indian car industry for more than three decades. Its entry level cars like Maruti Alto, Maruti Wagon R and Maruti Swift have always been the top sellers in the domestic auto-market. However, two-three years back, the company has to face tough competition from premium hatchbacks like Hyundai Elite i20 and Honda Jazz. To counter the rising premium hatchback rivals, Maruti Suzuki introduced the Baleno premium hatchback under the badge of its premium brand Nexa.

Maruti Baleno aka Nexa Baleno has paced the company’s growth in the B+ premium hatchback segment and as per the latest statistics, Maruti Baleno was the 8th top selling car in the Indian car market in the month of August 2017. At the beginning of year 2017, Maruti introduced the the 100.5 hp Baleno RS as its budget performance hatch at the price tag of 8.69 lakh (Ex-showroom Delhi).

The Baleno hatchback has become quite popular in no time and the credit for its huge fan following goes to its exemplary looks and comfortable interiors. Evolved from the old phased out sedan, the present day Baleno is smart and quite aggressive in styling. It gets cues from its siblings Swift and S-Cross, and the rear and the side profiles are unlike the other Maruti Suzuki cars sold in India. The car is blessed with abundant cabin space for high level comforts, however, the interior quality is somewhat compromised.

Under the hood, it borrows the engines from sibling Swift.  The same 1.2 Litre K Series petrol and Fiat’s 1.3 Litre DDiS diesel engines are used. Compared to the rivals, Baleno also has the advantage of its best in segment fuel efficiency and economical price tag.

Exterior

Maruti Baleno carries the company’s new liquid flow design philosophy and looks quite contemporary from its every stance. With the the dimensions read 3995 mm length, 1745 mm width and 1500 mm height, it is larger in size than the arch rival Elite i20 and sibling Swift.

The front profile of the Baleno feature the V-shaped radiator grille with chrome accent, projector headlights, LED daytime running lights and body coloured bumper with air dams. The side profile of this premium hatchback looks quite sober. You can sense the sportiness very well in the design and shape, and there are some cues of a coupe around the C pillar. The top end variants of the Baleno hatchback get alloy wheels and chrome outside door handles as additional features. The rear is also made attractive to appeal the younger generation. You will find LED tail lights, chrome strip and extended spoiler throwing the magnetism to the rear profile.

Interior

The interior of Maruti Baleno is as appealing as its exterior, however, the company has somewhat compromised on the quality of the plastics. The features offered in the Baleno are at par to the rivals in the segment but the same dated materials used reduce the premiumness of the car. You will find leather only on the steering wheel and it is certainly missed around the door trims and gear knob. The dashboard is completely new with silver inserts and the all-black interior gives a feel of sportiness inside the cabins. Even the cabin illumination is very good.

As far as the space and comfort is concered, the Baleno is definitely a good choice to go with. Seats can comfortably accommodate five passengers and even the boot space of 339 litres is sufficient enough to gobble your three standard sized suitcases. The seats are well cushioned and the thigh support of the front seats and legroom for the rear passengers are the addons to the overall comfort.

Engine & Specifications

Baleno Petrol Engine & Specifications:

Baleno Diesel Engine & Specifications:

Baleno RS Petrol Engine & Specifications:

Maruti Baleno is currently offered in both petrol and diesel power-trains. The petrol mill is the 1.2 Litre K-Series VVT engine taken from sibling Swift that churns maximum power of 84 bhp and maximum torque of 115 Nm. The transmission can either be a 5-speed manual transmission or the CVT automatic transmission, depends on your choice. The diesel engine also borrows the same Swift’s diesel power-train i.e. the 1.3 Litre Multijet engine, which can produce 74 bhp peak power and 190 Nm peak torque. The diese engine of the car is linked to a five speed manual transmission.

The company also recently introduced a highly powered version of Baleno in the form of Baleno RS. This high performance hatch is powered by a 1.0 Litre petrol engine that produces maximum power of 100.5 hp at 5500 rpm and maximum torque of 150 Nm at 1700-4500 rpm. This engine of Baleno RS comes mated to a five speed manual transmission.

ALSO READ: 2017 Maruti S-Cross Facelift Review | 2017 Hyundai Verna Review

Price List

The petrol variants of Maruti Baleno are priced in the range of Rs. 5.26 lakh to Rs. 8.34 lakh, however, the high powering variant recently introduced i.e. Baleno RS comes at the price tag of Rs. 8.37 lakh. The diesel variants of Maruti Baleno are priced in the range of Rs. 6.44 lakh to Rs. 8.42 lakh (All the prices mentioned are ex-showroom Delhi).

Mileage

The MT and CVT variants of Baleno petrol deliver mileage of 21.4 kmpl whereas the diesel powered MT variant of this returns mileage of 27.39 kmpl (ARAI Specific Mileage figures).

Features

Maruti Suzuki Baleno hosts a bunch of awesome features. The top-end variant of the car is blessed with Touch screen music system, Navigation, Climate control, Rear parking sensors with camera and Engine push start/stop button. However, the safety features like dual front airbags and ABS with EBD are kept standard in all the Maruti Baleno variants.

Besides the above mentioned features, Nexa Baleno is offered with other features like Front and rear power windows, Tilt & Telescopic steering wheel, Remote keyless entry, Front & Rear Adjustable headrests, Automatic Climate Control, Height Adjustable Driver’s Seat, Steering-mounted audio controls, Bluetooth, Aux-In, USB Port etc.

Dimensions

Compared to the rivals like Hyundai i20 and Honda Jazz, Maruti Baleno is longer and wider with the length and width read as 3,995 mm and 1,745 mm respectively. It is only the wheelbase measured 2520 mm which falls shorter than the wheelbase of the Baleno rivals. Other than this, height of the car is 1500 mm, ground clearance is 170 mm and boot space is measured 339 litres. The fuel tank of Maruti Baleno can intake 37 litres of fuel.

Colors

Maruti Suzuki Baleno is available in the following color options:

• Ray Blue
• Premium Silver
• Fire Red
• Premium Urban Blue
• Pearl Arctic White
• Granite Grey
• Autumn Orange