Suzuki Baleno: Petrol 1.2 MT & Diesel 1.3 MT Drive Review
- Thread Starter Akash1886
- Start date
A nice and crisp review Akash and covering nearly all the aspects (ya, I just quickly ran through it). All in all I got a bit disappointed by the vehicle. Being a MSIL I never had high expectations in terms of cabin quality, seating comfort and built but my expectations weren't these low either. Cabin quality is acceptable to good but none other thing is. Will be writing my impressions in detail once I have a bit of 'properly' free time.
+1 to Vipul,it seems like a swift with a larger boot space. Quality and rattling is part and parcel of maruti vehicles.Whatever we say,people will buy.Anyway, the good part is they had kept ABS+EBD and Airbags .Where is that Bharghava,who was making fun of Airbags and ABS.He must be eating his own words.
i feel it will sell well, the interiors are a dissappointment and the lack of better diesel engine is a dampner. Safety for change seems to have been given the focus it deserves by Maruti. All in all it is a good replacement for Swift infact some people might start calling it Swift Plus :).
Great review again will help the buyers.
Great review again will help the buyers.
I found it to be a very disappointing package in terms of looks, quality and feel. Though I didn't drive it, I spent quite some time with it in the showroom and it felt extremely normal and very "un-premium" just like that the jazz. There is not even the upmarket feel and appeal of the Tata Bolt. No leather, no cruise control and only a pair of under sized engines. I wonder what is actually premium in this premium hatchback! I personally feel that this is the most disappointing product from Maruti in this fiscal year.
crisp and clean, as always akash!
I wish Maruti had Atleast remapped the 1.3 engine for better punch.
do you have any pics of. drl and projector lamps at night?
I wish Maruti had Atleast remapped the 1.3 engine for better punch.
do you have any pics of. drl and projector lamps at night?
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Thread Starter
#22
![[:)]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Smile.gif "Smile [:)]")
Will see if possible I'll get a couple of it by evening today.Regards
Akash
Well written and to the point! Glad to hear 1.2 petrol is peppier than swift (thanks to tin-can construction). Care to share who manufactured 185/65r15 section? (i know i'm talkin about this tyre stuff frequently)
Why settle for less when you can upload digital brochure? All 14 pages included. Credit: Nexa
Download link
Why settle for less when you can upload digital brochure? All 14 pages included. Credit: Nexa
Download link
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Thread Starter
#24
Here are some pics of the night time visibility of Baleno's projector and DRLs.![[:D]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Big%20Smile.gif "Big Smile [:D]")
Regards
Akash
As usual, Nice review Akash. Thanks very much my friend. ![[clap]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Clap.gif "Clap [clap]")
IMO, Baleno should be the most ugliest car ever by Maruti Suzuki. It doesn't have any kind of road appearance at all. Who ever approved this design would Perhaps might be in sleeping mode when he did that.![[lol]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Laugh.gif "Laugh [lol]")
However, Maruti done great job by providing all the basic features such as ABS and Airbags from the basic model itself. Also, they had provided Rear Wiper and Defogger from Delta Model onwards. Truly, International kind of move. Bravo MS, You've set another benchmark in the market. And superb pricing too, albeit some compromises in the quality. Now, Hyundai, Honda and other companies would run for their bread to survive.
BTW, With all due respect, I don't agree 'Baleno' should have come-up with 1.5 diesel engine. Please note that, more weighted 'Fiat Linea', Punto & Avventura are doing great with 1.3 itself. So, Considering Baleno's kerb weight, 1.3 diesel engine is more than enough. But to keep the premium, they should have offered 90 PS instead of 75. Just my humble opinion.
IMO, Baleno should be the most ugliest car ever by Maruti Suzuki. It doesn't have any kind of road appearance at all. Who ever approved this design would Perhaps might be in sleeping mode when he did that.
However, Maruti done great job by providing all the basic features such as ABS and Airbags from the basic model itself. Also, they had provided Rear Wiper and Defogger from Delta Model onwards. Truly, International kind of move. Bravo MS, You've set another benchmark in the market. And superb pricing too, albeit some compromises in the quality. Now, Hyundai, Honda and other companies would run for their bread to survive.
BTW, With all due respect, I don't agree 'Baleno' should have come-up with 1.5 diesel engine. Please note that, more weighted 'Fiat Linea', Punto & Avventura are doing great with 1.3 itself. So, Considering Baleno's kerb weight, 1.3 diesel engine is more than enough. But to keep the premium, they should have offered 90 PS instead of 75. Just my humble opinion.
Thread Starter
#26
Thanks buddy.
Raaj, as you may know, 1.3 L unit was taken from Fiat only by Maruti if I am correct. Now, this 1.3L unit is same as that present in Swift/Dzire. If the competition is with premium cars like Jazz, Polo etc, then just by increasing the size and features the battle cannot be won. Performance has a major share in success of a vehicle. If Suzuki is tagging Baleno as premium then it definitely should drive like a premium car. Also, majority of buyers now in India go for diesel hatchbacks, so in the present cut throat competition, why shouldn't a performance seeking buyer consider a 1.5L Jazz or Polo over 1.3 DDIS Baleno?
Regards
Akash
Raaj, as you may know, 1.3 L unit was taken from Fiat only by Maruti if I am correct. Now, this 1.3L unit is same as that present in Swift/Dzire. If the competition is with premium cars like Jazz, Polo etc, then just by increasing the size and features the battle cannot be won. Performance has a major share in success of a vehicle. If Suzuki is tagging Baleno as premium then it definitely should drive like a premium car. Also, majority of buyers now in India go for diesel hatchbacks, so in the present cut throat competition, why shouldn't a performance seeking buyer consider a 1.5L Jazz or Polo over 1.3 DDIS Baleno?
Regards
Akash
On the paper you are correct buddy. But I don't think premium thing would be measured with engine sizes. But surely, they should have improved interior features. But for the price they are offering, they are doing fine, IMO. As per engine is concerned, one must need good performance and that surely can be achieved with 1.3 itself especially with low kerb weighted cars like this . Moreover, Mass adores "Kitna Deta Hai" concept. So, I believe MS strategy is well calibrated here.
Moreover, with their current specs and pricing strategy, I'm pretty sure, it outsells every damn car available in India.
Very Good review Akash
I particularly liked the dark blue shade in baleno and the projector headlights.
Akash, does the diesel engine in baleno rattle much than the diesel engine in Swift/dezire?
And what would you suggest to a car buyer if he is in a confusion to buy swift/baleno? Which one will be a worthier, valuable purchase?
I particularly liked the dark blue shade in baleno and the projector headlights.
Akash, does the diesel engine in baleno rattle much than the diesel engine in Swift/dezire?
And what would you suggest to a car buyer if he is in a confusion to buy swift/baleno? Which one will be a worthier, valuable purchase?
Thread Starter
#29
Raaj Agreed, but, to attain the all round premium feel, they should have certainly worked upon a peppier diesel. I have driven a Figo Hatch and it is also starting at approx the same price. Safety is also there but If you compare the performance then Baleno diesel will certainly lag behind from Figo.
I do understand that lighter body would drive faster but if someone has driven a Swift Diesel and wants to upgrade then he'll not choose Baleno Diesel in all probability as the driving dynamics is very very marginally different only. One can surely do good with a tested formula but then after a point of time the repetitiveness gets boring.
That is why Maruti constantly has 47-50% of market share. Maruti's way of attaining fuel efficiency is by reducing the weight. They do not upgrade the engines and keep on dragging the same old thing. They were testing a 1.5 L unit, I wish a similar unit could have been tried in this one.
I am doubtful, because, there are many things in Baleno that would remind you of the erstwhile Maruti hatchbacks.
Buddy I hope you have checked out the diesel engine video I posted. The engine sound is certainly on the higher side. Also, as I compare it to Swift, very marginal difference is there in NVH of diesel.
If between both one has to choose then I would say, buy a Baleno. Reasons are stated number of times like safety, comfort, contemporary looks et al. Engine wise there is no big difference in Swift and Baleno. While driving a diesel Baleno, you'll not feel as excited as you might feel when driving a FIGO or even the TDI Polo. Now, I do not recommend Baleno Diesel as a viable upgrade to a already owned Diesel Swift but if you are a 1st time buyer and confused between Swift Diesel and Baleno, then as the 1st car one can definitely go for Baleno Diesel.
Regards
Akash
I do understand that lighter body would drive faster but if someone has driven a Swift Diesel and wants to upgrade then he'll not choose Baleno Diesel in all probability as the driving dynamics is very very marginally different only. One can surely do good with a tested formula but then after a point of time the repetitiveness gets boring.
That is why Maruti constantly has 47-50% of market share. Maruti's way of attaining fuel efficiency is by reducing the weight. They do not upgrade the engines and keep on dragging the same old thing. They were testing a 1.5 L unit, I wish a similar unit could have been tried in this one.
I am doubtful, because, there are many things in Baleno that would remind you of the erstwhile Maruti hatchbacks.
Buddy I hope you have checked out the diesel engine video I posted. The engine sound is certainly on the higher side. Also, as I compare it to Swift, very marginal difference is there in NVH of diesel.
If between both one has to choose then I would say, buy a Baleno. Reasons are stated number of times like safety, comfort, contemporary looks et al. Engine wise there is no big difference in Swift and Baleno. While driving a diesel Baleno, you'll not feel as excited as you might feel when driving a FIGO or even the TDI Polo. Now, I do not recommend Baleno Diesel as a viable upgrade to a already owned Diesel Swift but if you are a 1st time buyer and confused between Swift Diesel and Baleno, then as the 1st car one can definitely go for Baleno Diesel.
Regards
Akash
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Is MS known to keep with their waiting periods or do these get extended?
Also, I am hearing a lot about stuff being claimed in the press release, not being there in actual. Like the chrome bar on the hatch at the rear was supposed to be present in the Delta but a few are hearing its not there.
Plus these guys are very un MS like in their offers- no exchange or loyalty bonus for previous MS owners.
The prices are starting to put me off as well because the Base Sigma is 5.9l and the Delta is 6.8L. Not too much added to the Delta over the Sigma and neither car is available to see in person or in photos
Ameyam
Also, I am hearing a lot about stuff being claimed in the press release, not being there in actual. Like the chrome bar on the hatch at the rear was supposed to be present in the Delta but a few are hearing its not there.
Plus these guys are very un MS like in their offers- no exchange or loyalty bonus for previous MS owners.
The prices are starting to put me off as well because the Base Sigma is 5.9l and the Delta is 6.8L. Not too much added to the Delta over the Sigma and neither car is available to see in person or in photos
Ameyam