This complete Maruti Baleno Review explores price, mileage, features, performance, and the real driving experience of India’s favorite premium hatchback. Our expert Maruti Baleno Review covers interior, exterior, safety, and comfort in a simple way. With this Maruti Baleno Review, discover why it remains stylish, reliable, and practical for Indian families and daily commuters.
✨ AI Overview
New Baleno: Smarter, Calmer, Still a Favorite
Summary generated by AI · Reviewed by Gear Choice Team
The Maruti Baleno has evolved with a classier design and a quieter, calmer driving experience.
It maintains its reputation for reliability, ease of use, and surprising elegance for its price point.
The latest version offers a mature, refined upgrade, solidifying its enduring popularity.
The Maruti Baleno Review isn’t your usual car talk. It’s more like a story about a hatchback that grew up gracefully — got smarter, got classier, and somehow became everyone’s favorite again. The Baleno was always that one car you’d spot everywhere — college campuses, office parking lots, or small-town roads. And there’s a reason for that. It’s reliable, easy to live with, and surprisingly elegant for what it costs. This new version feels like a small leap into something better. Not wild, not dramatic. Just better. The lines are smoother, the cabin quieter, and the drive, calmer. There’s a maturity in how it handles itself now. You look at it and think, yeah, that’s a car that knows what it’s doing. The Baleno doesn’t scream for attention; it just quietly reminds you why it’s been on top for so long.
Key Highlights (Quick Info)
Parameter
Details
Model
Maruti Suzuki Baleno
Engine
1.2L DualJet Petrol Engine
Power
89 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque
113 Nm @ 4400 rpm
Transmission
5-Speed Manual / AMT
Mileage
Up to 22.9 km/l
Fuel Type
Petrol / CNG (Optional)
Seating Capacity
5 Seater
Safety Rating
3 Star (Expected Global NCAP)
Price Range
₹6.6 – ₹9.9 Lakh (Ex-Showroom)
Launch Year
2024
Design and Exterior
The Maruti Baleno feels more refined now. Like it just went through a quiet transformation. The front grille — wider, bolder — gives it a confident face. The LED headlamps look sharp, almost like eyes that follow you. It’s got presence, but in a polite way. The lines are soft yet intentional, flowing neatly from the hood to the tail. There’s no drama here, just elegance. The alloys? Subtle but stylish. From the rear, those new LED taillamps bring a connected feel, something you’d expect in a pricier car. The silhouette is still that familiar Baleno shape we know, but it feels tighter, cleaner, more balanced. You can almost tell the designers didn’t overthink it — they just let it be. And that’s probably why it works. It’s not loud, but it makes you turn your head anyway. It’s quiet confidence, done right.
Start the Maruti Baleno and it hums to life like a gentle reminder — this isn’t a car trying to prove a point. It’s here to make things easy. The 1.2-litre DualJet petrol engine feels smooth, refined, and yes, surprisingly peppy when you push it. Around the city, it glides. Light steering, easy clutch, simple shifts — everything feels natural. On open roads, it picks up without a fuss, cruising comfortably at highway speeds. The AMT is much better now, with fewer jerks, while the manual remains a driver’s favorite — slick, predictable, and forgiving. The suspension absorbs bumps well, making rough patches feel less dramatic. You don’t fight the car; you flow with it. Sure, it’s not the fastest in the class, but that’s not the point. The Baleno’s magic lies in how easy it makes driving feel. Effortless, friendly, and calm — like a good conversation on a long day.
Interior & Features
Step inside the Maruti Baleno, and it just feels... nice. The cabin is calmer now, the kind you don’t mind sitting in for hours. The dark blue and black theme works beautifully — a little classy, a little youthful. The 9-inch SmartPlay Pro+ touchscreen sits neatly on the dash. It’s crisp, quick, and doesn’t try too hard. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connect instantly, no drama. The seats are comfy, with better cushioning this time. The steering feels premium, flat-bottomed and wrapped just right. At the back, there’s proper legroom — even tall folks won’t complain. And that head-up display? Feels futuristic but simple. You get the usual bits too — climate control, push start, 360-camera, and rear AC vents. Everything feels put together, no rough edges. The Baleno’s cabin is not fancy; it’s functional beauty. It feels human — cozy, predictable, and somehow, very you.
Photo : Maruti Baleno interior – premium, comfortable, and feature-rich modern cabin.
Safety and Technology
Here’s where the Maruti Baleno really steps up. It finally feels safer, sturdier, and more confident. The new Heartect platform has been reinforced, and you can feel it. The doors shut with a deep thud — something that wasn’t always a Maruti thing. Six airbags on top variants, ABS, EBD, ESP, and hill-hold — all there, ready to keep you steady. The LED headlights are brighter now, cutting through dark roads with clarity. The 360-degree camera makes parking feel almost too easy. You also get connected car features through the app — remote lock/unlock, tracking, and alerts. The car feels planted at high speeds, less floaty, more grounded. Sure, it’s still not a tank, but it feels secure — and that’s a big win. It’s the small things — the way it brakes, the way it holds its line — that make you trust it. And trust is everything.
Price and Launch Date in India
The new Maruti Baleno launched in early 2024, and as usual, it didn’t need a fancy entry. It simply showed up and took its place back at the top. Prices start at around ₹6.6 lakh for the base Sigma trim and climb up to ₹9.9 lakh for the loaded Alpha variant. There’s even a CNG version for the mileage lovers, because of course there is. Maruti knows its audience too well. The price feels fair, especially considering the new features, better build, and comfort upgrades. It’s the kind of car that doesn’t make you feel guilty about buying it. It just fits. It fits your lifestyle, your budget, and your needs. And in today’s world, that’s rare. The Baleno is practical, yes, but it also has a heart — and that’s what makes it worth every rupee.
Rival Comparison
The Maruti Baleno swims in a pool full of tough rivals — Hyundai i20, Tata Altroz, Toyota Glanza, and even the new Honda Amaze to some extent. But it doesn’t try to outshine them with features or gimmicks. Instead, it focuses on balance. The i20 looks fancier, sure, but it’s expensive. The Altroz feels tougher but misses that easy-to-drive feel. The Glanza? A twin, but Baleno still carries that distinct Maruti vibe — lighter, simpler, more connected. The Baleno wins by doing what it’s always done best — keeping things easy and honest. It may not have the flash of the i20, but it has something rarer — peace of mind. And that’s what most buyers actually want. It’s not trying to dominate the road; it’s just being comfortable on it. And that, ironically, is what makes it dominate anyway.
Mansi Arya serves as an editor at GearChoice.in, where she oversees content strategy and production within the digital gear and tech space. With a strong foundation in digital marketing and social media strategy, she brings both editorial direction and promotional insight to the platform.