Maruti Suzuki

Baleno

Maruti Suzuki has launched the 2022 Baleno in India with prices starting at Rs. 6.49 lakh for the base Sigma variant and going up to Rs. 9.71 lakh for the top-end Alpha automatic trim. The new Maruti Suzuki Baleno is an extensively upgraded model compared to its predecessor but the platform and powertrain remain the same. That said, it now gets a redesigned front end making it look more contemporary than before, while the profile and rear too look fresh and more appealing.

Thought the overall silhouette and dimensions of the new Maruti Suzuki Baleno remain unchanged, it sports a new bumper along with a wider and slimmer grille. The grille gets chrome garnish that extends to the angular LED projector headlamps with LED DRLs. The shoulder line is revised and it does looks more contemporary than before. The wing mirrors with integrated turn indicators and chrome door handles have been carried over from its predecessor along with the 16-inch alloy wheels.

However, the biggest upgrade on the new Baleno is on tghe inside and tech has been one of the major focus areas in the making of this new premium hatchback. The cabin layout has been revised as well and the biggest highlight is the new dashboard sporting a bigger and advanced 9-inch Smartplay Pro standalone touchscreen unit that takes centre stage. It gets an all-new interface featuring much sharper and crisper graphics. The new Maruti Suzuki Baleno will also get over 40 connected car features along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and we expect Maruti to also offer in-built navigation system in the new SmartPlay Pro Plus. The list of features includes Alexa assistance, head-up Display, wireless charging, a new sound system with ARKAMYS tuning, and a 360-view camera view among others. That said, the major upgrade has to be six-airbags on the inside adding to its safety nest.

Under the hood, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno right now comes with a 1.2-litre VVT motor, and a more powerful 1.2-litre Dualjet, Dual VVT engine, and they are expected to remain unchanged. The former gets the option of both a five-speed manual and an automatic CVT unit, while the more powerful engine, which also gets the mild-hybrid system comes with a five-speed manual gearbox as standard. The new Maruti Suzuki Baleno will rival the likes of the Hyundai i20, Tata Altroz, Honda Jazz and the Volkswagen Polo.