Maruti Suzuki Baleno is an affordable yet premium hatchback that offers a smooth driving experience in the urban city.
Maruti Baleno made its first foray into the Indian market as a sedan rather than the hatchback we know. The Baleno arrived as a sedan in 1999 but failed to gain traction among Indian car buyers. Moving forward to 2015, we witness the arrival of the new Maruti Baleno as a hatchback in the Indian market. It crossed the 10 lakh sales milestone by December 2021. In February 2022, Maruti Suzuki launched an updated Baleno hatchback with new features, fresh design elements, and improved performance. The Maruti Suzuki Baleno 2023 was a big success as it was the top-selling car for a few months. Baleno commands a 62% share of the premium Nexa retail sales. We list the top 5 reasons why Maruti Suzuki Baleno is the perfect city car in the Indian market.
Premium is the word
The latest Baleno follows Maruti Suzuki’s “Crafter Futurism” design language. If we observe the car’s exterior, the body is sleek and aerodynamic with clean lines, chrome strips under the window line, a bolder front griller, and sharper projector headlamps housing LED DRLs. Newer design elements are a flatter and wide bonnet, LED tail lamps with Nexa three-block signature, and dual-tone precision-cut 16-inch alloy wheels. Overall, the new design updates give Baleno a premium yet sporty feel.
Interior
The Maruti Suzuki Baleno interior is spacious and comfortable with well-cushioned front seats, ample legroom, and headroom for the rear occupants. The rear seats come in a 60:40 split ratio that allows the occupants to fold down the seats to increase the boot space. The new Baleno hatchback cabin is premium and upmarket with design elements like a leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel sportier-looking analog instrument and a multi-layered dashboard.
New features
The Baleno hatchback boasts new features like a nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, Arkamys stereo system, and segment-first Head-up Display (HUD). Notable features are 360-degree cameras, Suzuki Connect car tech, keyless entry, charging points, and rear AC vents. The premium hatchback offers value for money with advanced features.
Best fuel-efficient hatchback
The new Baleno delivers 22.35 kmpl with the manual transmission and 22.94 kmpl with the AMT gearbox. The fuel efficiency figures make the 2023 Maruti Baleno the most fuel-efficient premium hatchback in the Indian market. The new idle engine start/stop technology turns the engine off when it is in neutral and turns back swiftly when you press the clutch pedal. It makes the Baleno a perfect car for the city traffic and overcrowded roads.
Value for money
Maruti Suzuki Baleno is a budget-friendly hatchback with premium features and a nice mix of affordability and premium. The hatchback boasts first-in-segment features like a 360-degree camera and head-up display while being the second car in the segment to offer six airbags. The Baleno retails in the price range of Rs 6.61 lakh- Rs 9.88 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) but packs a good value due to the stylish design, technology features, and comfort.
