To be honest, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno has always given me mixed feelings. The market loves it, no doubt. But when you’ve spent ten years around cars from that fresh showroom smell to the slightly greasy workshop vibe things start looking a bit different.
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Design that looks good but feels a bit too safe
I’ve never disliked the Baleno’s design. But yeah, I have to admit sometimes it feels like the car plays a little too safe. Sure, the sharp lights, stretched bonnet, a pinch of sportiness all fine. But it still doesn’t give that striking “wow” factor the old Swift used to. And one more thing the car looks slim from outside, but you do get good space inside, no complaints there.
Engine Great for the daily run, not for the thrill
The 1.2L petrol engine in the Baleno is something the company keeps calling smooth. For me, it always feels like the same old Maruti story reliable but a little underconfident. Back in 2021, I was doing a test drive on Pune’s bypass. Needed a quick overtake. The car did it, but that “come on, let’s go!” punch was missing. Maybe that’s why people call it a city king, not a highway beast.
A little dealership story
In 2019, a dealer once casually told me, “Sir, Baleno buyers often come back for another.” I asked why. He smiled, “Car doesn’t trouble much except sometimes the infotainment freezes, like our mind early in the morning.” I laughed. But later, a customer actually showed me this. Start the car → screen frozen. Workshop said “software update.” The customer told me, “Bhaiya, I restart it like a phone.” I laughed, but trust me, it stung a bit.
Features Good enough, but not as hyped
New Baleno packs a lot of features, yes. But honestly, I don’t blindly trust everything. The company keeps talking about improved mileage. I remember the older Baleno also claimed similar numbers and delivered less in the real world. The car isn’t inefficient, but the claims? A bit too optimistic.
Another story Workshop reality
Once a Baleno owner came for service complaining that the steering felt slightly weird after speed breakers. The mechanic whispered, “Sir, this model gets such feedback sometimes normal.” That word “normal” annoys me. Normal means yes, there is a problem, but officially it’s not a problem. Maruti does this sometimes.
Drive Quality Awesome in the city, okay-ish on highways
The Maruti Suzuki Baleno feels fantastic in city traffic. Light steering, smooth gearbox, and suspension that simply encourages you to keep going. But once you cross 90 km/h, the car feels slightly floaty. Not scary, but definitely not confidence-loaded like some premium hatchbacks.
Value for Money Yes, but with compromises
If someone asks whether they should buy the Baleno, my answer isn’t straightforward. Tight budget? Want low maintenance? Strong resale? Then yes, go for it. But if you want thrill, solid build, high-speed confidence, or something with a stronger personality you might want to look around a bit more.
My Final Take
Baleno is like that dependable friend won’t trouble you, keeps costs low, and Maruti’s massive service network is the biggest advantage. But the amount of hype this car gets? The steering-wheel experience doesn’t always match it. That’s why I say Baleno is lovable, but not perfect. And that’s the truth, no matter what the company says.