Maruti NEXA Baleno

Expert Review by Maxabout

Introduction

First introduced in India in October 2015, the Maruti Baleno has carved a special place for itself in a short span of time. Over the course of years, the brand has sold a great number of units in the country, and the model can be seen easily on the roads. Also, in this modern era of SUVs, this hatch has maintained its popularity in our market. The car, being a crucial model in Maruti Suzuki’s lineup for the Indian car market, is being sold through the manufacturer’s premium car platform, NEXA. The brand has made plenty of updates to the car throughout the years, and recently as well, the new-gen Baleno facelift has been introduced for Indian car lovers. Let’s discuss in detail all the specs and features of the hatchback.

Maruti Baleno Design and Style

Starting with the front fascia, the Maruti Baleno boasts a new design language. The redesigned NEXWave grille with an emphasised chrome strip gives the Baleno a broad and forceful appearance. Headlamps also have a more aggressive design, and the front bumper has been redesigned to enhance their effectiveness. There's also a wider air inlet on the bumpers, and the fog lights on either side are now in new c-shaped housing. The front camera is mounted on the radiator grille just beneath the Suzuki logo.

Turning to the side profile, there are slightly squared off curves and a chrome strip runs along the window line, as well as the door handles also get chrome treatment. Also, the side cameras are placed below the ORVMs. The rear end flaunts squarish taillights with an L-shaped design and a Suzuki logo on the boot lid. The rear end also gets chrome treatment to a great extent. In terms of body dimensions, the Baleno is 3990mm in length, 1745mm in width, 1500mm in height (unladen) and 2520mm in wheelbase.

Maruti Baleno Engine and Gearbox

Powering the Maruti Baleno is a 1197cc, 4-cylinder petrol engine that is capable of churning out 88.5 HP @6000 rpm and 113 Nm @4400 rpm and is combined with a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission.

Maruti Baleno Interior, Instrument Cluster & Boot Space

The Maruti Baleno gets an elegant and comfy interior. The upper part of the dashboard is blacked out, while the lower part is finished in blue. Under the dashboard is a silver strip that offers a unique and stylish appearance. The hatch’s blue and silver-finished interior complements the black-blue dual-tone upholstery. The front and rear seats are comfortable and have enough headroom and legroom.

Moreover, the storage spaces in the car are quite impressive. There are USB Type-C and Type-A ports below the AC vents. The instrument console gets a multi-information display and shows the data like G force, acceleration, fuel efficiency, range, braking stats and all. It gets 318-litres of boot space, which is decent enough to carry your luggage. Also, the rear seat can be split in a 60:40 ratio, resulting in larger boot space.

Maruti Baleno Brakes, Suspension & Tyres

As for braking duties in the Maruti Baleno, these are assigned to disc brakes at the front and drum brakes at the rear. While the suspension is handled by MacPherson Strut at the front and Torsion Beam at the rear. The hatchback rides on 15-inch steel or 16-inch alloy wheels depending on the variant. The 15-inch wheels are clothed with 185/65 size tyres while the 16-inch alloy wheels are outfitted with 195/55 size tyres.

Maruti Baleno Key Features

Maruti Baleno comes loaded with features comprising LED projector headlamps, NEXTre LED DRLs, LED fog lamps, Nexa signature LED taillamps, body-coloured door handles, Head-up display, cruise control, rear fast-charging USB, 360 view camera, auto gear shift, 9-inch HD infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, next-gen Suzuki Connect, auto climate control, auto-fold ORVMs, power steering, 4 speakers and 2 tweeters, TFT colour display, push start/stop, steering mounted audio controls and many more. For passenger safety, the hatch comes equipped with six airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP, seatbelt reminder, ISOFIX child seat anchorages, hill hold assist, rear parking assist sensors, brake assist to name a few.

Maruti Baleno Top Speed, Acceleration & Mileage

The new Maruti Baleno offers a top speed of 180 kmph and accelerates from 0-100 kmph within 12.79 seconds. As far as the mileage is concerned, the Maruti claimed fuel efficiency is 22.35 kmpl (MT) and 22.94 kmpl (AMT). However, in the rear world, the figures may differ depending on city traffic or highways.

Maruti Baleno Variants & Colour Options

Offered in a total of four variants called Sigma, Delta, Zeta and Alpha, the Maruti Baleno can be had with any of six colours given. Its colour scheme includes Celestial Blue, Opulent Red, Splendid Silver, Grandeur Grey, Luxe Beige, Arctic White colour options.

Ex-showroom Price & On-Road Price

The ex-showroom price for the Baleno Sigma starts at Rs 6.35 lakh and goes up to Rs 9.49 lakh for Baleno Alpha AGS. Now, to understand the difference between ex-showroom and on-road prices, the ex-showroom price of a car is the sticker price that does not include the cost of road tax, insurance, and registration. The on-road price, on the other hand, includes the previously mentioned costs as well as the cost of insurance, RC, one-time road tax, extended warranty, and all accessories purchased for the vehicle. It is worth noting that on-road prices in our country vary greatly from state to state.

Maruti Baleno Competitors

In the Indian car market, the Maruti Baleno lock horns with Hyundai i20, Tata Altroz, Volkswagen Polo, Honda Jazz and the Toyota Glanza.

Verdict - Should You Buy Maruti Baleno or not?

So, in the end, the Baleno will impress the family man more than anyone else. It is smooth and efficient, with a plethora of functions and space. Pricing is also a strong point, making it more affordable than both the Hyundai i20 and the Tata Altroz. While we continue to feel that the current generation Baleno is an outstanding product, we hope that Maruti Suzuki releases a more energetic version of the Baleno, and of course with a sunroof.