Toyota Glanza

Expert Review by Maxabout

Overview

Before we get into the improved Toyota Glanza, it's a good idea to step back and look at how it came to be. We're pretty sure it's a re-badged Maruti Suzuki Baleno. But why did Toyota India need to conduct the re-badge engineering?

Here's a quick history lesson. It all started a few years ago when two major Japanese automakers, Toyota Motor Corporation and Suzuki Motor Corporation, discovered there were many advantages to combining their resources. Toyota has advanced hybrid and electric technologies. Meanwhile, Suzuki specialised in compact automobiles. Each possessed something the other did not.

This collaboration's products can now be found in a variety of vehicle markets. For example, the Suzuki A-Cross for the European market is essentially a Toyota RAV-4. Suzuki Swace is a Toyota Corolla re-badged. Similarly, the Glanza was constructed on the same production line as the Baleno. So, when the new and improved Baleno was released, we anticipated that a new Glanza would follow within a month, and it did.

Toyota Glanza Design and Style

When Toyota released the Glanza two years ago, we all complained that a paltry attempt was made to distinguish the Glanza from the Baleno. Toyota changed the grille and logos and called it quits. Fortunately, that is not the case with this update. If you're familiar with Toyota's overseas models, you'll recognise their current design language. Thankfully, the contemporary style of the Baleno's grille and headlamps has assisted Toyota in impressing the same in the Glanza. The sleek chrome line running across the grille is identical to that seen on the Camry, and the headlamp design is much sharper than that seen on the Baleno. This could be because of a simple design change: although the Baleno has a three-barrel design for LED inside the headlight, there is only a single LED strip here. It gives the Glanza a more European and attractive appearance.

Lower down, there are blacked-out inserts enclosing the mesh grille, which is an unusual design element that appears good in images. Circular fog lamps with chrome surround flank those tusk-like inserts. There is a modern alloy wheel design that complements Glanza's overall stance. Redesigned taillamps and a revised bumper are among the improvements made to the rear compared to the previous model. However, there are few to no differences from what you observed in Nexa's offering.

Toyota Glanza Engine and Gearbox

The pre-facelift Glanza's petrol engines (K12B and K12C) have been replaced by an all-new 1.2-litre K12N naturally aspirated petrol motor with 89 horsepower and 113 Nm. This new engine also includes an engine stop-start in Toyota's quest to increase fuel efficiency and reduce pollutants. The CVT (automatic) option has been eliminated in favour of a 5-speed AMT.

This four-cylinder engine, like its predecessor, is among the best in its class in terms of refinement and smoothness. Pottering around town in a quiet, vibe-free manner feels appropriately cheerful. If you've used an older-generation K12B, the current model will seem a little lethargic; it doesn't pull as hard or spin as freely as it formerly did. When you wring this motor, it will still thrill you with a second wind beyond 4,500 rpm, generating a spirited snarl, though the speed build-up isn't quick. Its five-speed manual transmission is the smoothest in its class, and when combined with an extraordinarily light hydraulic clutch, it makes rowing through the gates a breeze.

Toyota Glanza Suspension, Brakes and Tyres

The suspension on the Glanza has been redesigned, and as a result, its low-speed ride is one of the best in its class, absorbing potholes and road irregularities maturely. At highway speeds, though, its ride isn't as comfortable, and road vibrations are transmitted sharply into the cabin, resulting in a busy ride. The steering feels more fluid, remains reasonably light, and returns to the centre (after a U-turn) rather naturally compared to the previous model.

Toyota has outfitted the new Glanza with a McPherson strut at the front and a torsion beam at the rear, while the front disc and the rear drum brakes handle the braking duties. The E and S variants come with the 15-inch Steel rims fitted with 185/65 R15 tyre sections with full wheel cap and the G and top-spec V variants come with new sleek 16-inch alloy wheels outfitted with 195/55 R16 (Polished surface) with a centre cap.

Interior and Instrument Console of Toyota Glanza

Toyota's designers focused on the exterior and did not change the overall appearance of the cabin. Most of the pieces on the 2022 Glanza are derived from the 2022 Baleno, but it works well together. Toyota has gone with a Black & Beige theme for the cabin, which looks great on the dashboard, door cards, and seats. The quality feels on par, if not better, than other premium vehicles in the market. There are no soft-touch materials available, but the superior plastic quality used gives it a premium feel. The air-conditioning vents and leatherette-wrapped steering provide an expensive feeling that is not lacking. Then there's the 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which is only available on the V model, while the G level gets a 7-inch touchscreen. Base trims are excluded from both.

This machine responds to touch and is aesthetically beautiful. Both systems communicate with Toyota i-Connect and reply to "Hello Google" and "Hello Siri." Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are only available on high-end models. Heads-Up-Display, which we've also seen on the 2022 Baleno, is a fresh addition, as is the 360-degree camera with four parking sensors. The seats are really comfortable and are shaped in such a way that they provide adequate under-thigh and back support. The rear seat still has enough room for knees, but it gets rather constrictive for the head, especially for taller people. There are also rear AC vents and two USB connections, one regular and one Type C.

Key Features of Toyota Glanza

The E trim has halogen projectors, steel wheels, remote keyless entry, auto air conditioning, a spoiler, and rear parking sensors. When you upgrade to the S model, you'll receive body-coloured ORVMs, a Smartplaycast music system with four speakers, steering-mounted controls, and a rear parcel tray. LED projector, auto headlamps, a colour display for the instrument cluster, a seven-inch touchscreen with android auto and apple CarPlay and voice commands, six speakers, push-button start-stop function, rear parking camera, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, height-adjustable driver's seat, 16-inch alloy wheels, rear AC vents, 60:40 split seats, and fast USB charger for rear seats are among the features added to the G trim.

Finally, the V trims include a segment-first heads-up display, 360-degree camera, LED fog lamps and DRLs, UV-protected glass, a larger nine-inch touchscreen, auto-folding ORVMs and auto-dimming IRVMs, cruise control, and a premium Arkamys sound system. ABS with EBD, dual front airbags, ISOFIX, and auto door locks are all standard safety equipment. The AMT models also have ESP and a hill-hold function. Finally, the top-spec V model includes six airbags.

Top Speed and Mileage of Toyota Glanza

However, this Toyota displays its worth in an important area for purchasers, i.e. fuel efficiency. The manual returned 13.80 km/l and 17.50 km/l in city and highway conditions, while the AMT returned 11.86 km/l and 17.21 km/l. The user-claimed top speed of the Toyota Glanza is 180 km/h and it can speed up to 0 to 100 km/h in just around 13 seconds.

Toyota Glanza Colour Options

Toyota offers new Glanza in 4 variants; E, S, G and V and it is available in 5 different colours - Gaming Grey, Enticing Silver, Insta Blue, Sportin Red And Cafe White.

Toyota Glanza Competitors

2023 Glanza, like the Baleno, belongs to the B+ premium hatchback market, where it competes with the Hyundai i20, Honda Jazz, Maruti Suzuki Swift, Tata Altroz, and Volkswagen Polo.

Conclusion

If you're looking for a spacious luxury hatchback, 2023 Toyota Glanza is a new alternative to explore. The Glanza, which is essentially a re-badged version of the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, delivers everything we like about the Baleno with the added benefit of a longer warranty. Toyota has set a very competitive price for the Glanza and it is available in 4 interesting variants and 2 transmission options.