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MarutiBaleno:OfficialReview
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ThisisadiscussiononMarutiBaleno:OfficialReviewwithinOfficialNewCar
Reviews,partoftheTeamBHPReviewscategoryTheMarutiBalenohasbeenlaunched
inIndiaatapriceofbetweenRs.4.998.11lakhs(exDelhi).What...
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9thDecember
2015,18:02

Aditya
TeamBHP
Support

#1
MarutiBaleno:OfficialReview

TheMarutiBalenohasbeenlaunchedinIndiaatapriceofbetweenRs.4.998.11lakhs(exDelhi).
Whatyou'lllike:

JoinDate:Feb
2004
Location:
Mumbai
Posts:5,668
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ViewMyGarage

Awellpriced,smartlookinghatchback
Userfriendlycabinwithloadsofspace!Caneasilyseat5talladults
Accommodating339literboot.The2ndbiggestamonghatchbacks(aftertheJazz)
Peppypetrol,efficientdiesel&smoothautomatictakeyourpick
Comfortableridequalitymatchedtoneutralhandling
DualAirbags&ABSwithEBDarestandardacrossallvariants!
Maruti'sexcellentaftersalesservice&fussfreeownershipexperience
LoadedwithfeaturessuchasUVcutglass,projectorheadlamps+DRLs,reversingcamera,AppleCarPlay,
navigation,electricallyfoldableORVMsandmore

[X]

Whatyouwon't:
OrdinaryinteriorqualityisSwiftlike.Severalbudgetgradepartsinhere
Rearseatheadroom&underthighsupportarelimitedfortallpassengers
Lightbuildquality(weighsmerely865kilos).Lacksthesolidityofitsrivals
CVTvariantonlyinDeltatrim(oneabovebase).Suffersfromrubberbandeffectonthehighwaytoo
Moresubstantial&premiumElitei20ispricedonlyRs.17,00037,000above
Waitingperiodrunningover4monthsforsomevariants/cities
SoldexclusivelythroughNexaoutlets.Limitsthereachofthecar

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LasteditedbyGTO:9thDecember2015at18:48.

(65)Thanks

9thDecember
2015,18:02

#2

Aditya
TeamBHP
Support

JoinDate:Feb
2004
Location:
Mumbai
Posts:5,668
Thanked:13,716
Times
ViewMyGarage

TheoldversusthenewBaleno.Otherthanthename,theyhavenothingincommon,noteventheirbodystyle.Maruti
willbepleasedwithonedifferentiatorthoughiftheinitial40,000bookingsareanythingtogoby,the2015Balenois
astrongseller!Lastmonth,Marutishippedoutawhopping9,000Balenos.
WewerealwayswonderingwherethenewBalenowouldfitin.Ifyouseetheprelaunchdiscussions,therewas
scepticismasweexpectedittobepricedhigher.Then,Marutipulledoffacoupbypricingitcloserthanexpectedto
theSwift.TheBaleno'spositioningbecameclearrightthen.IfyouliketheSwift,butwantsomethingbigger,the
Balenoisforyou.WhiletheSwiftisstillacompetenthatchbacksellingover17,000unitseachmonth,thoselooking
formorecabinspace,betterqualityandamoreupmarketfeelwereforcedtolookoutsideofaMarutishowroom.
WiththeintroductionoftheBaleno,Marutihasgivenitscustomersanoptiontoupgradetoaproductfromitsown
stable.BecauseNexadealershipsneedtocovertheirinvestment,thecompanyhasdecidedtosellitthroughthat
premiumdealershipnetwork.That'sinconflictwithbrandNexa'spositioningastheBalenoisn'ta'trulypremium'car.
ThesmallerNexanetworkwillalsolimitthereachofthecaracrossIndia.Wefindittobeaflawedstrategy.

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Balenomeans'flashoflightning'inItalian.IfounditalittlesurprisingthatMarutiusedthisnamefortheirnewcar.
Whenonehearstheword'Baleno',thefirstimagethatcomesupisthatofafloppedsedan.I'dhavethoughtof
revivingthe'Esteem'nameplatetouseonthiscar.TheEsteem,asweknow,wasimmenselypopularinIndiaandcan
instantlyconnectwithourhearts&minds.
IndiaisthemostimportantmarketforSuzukiandhence,thecarmakesitsglobaldebuthere.TheBalenowillbe
manufacturedatthecompany'sManesarplantandexportedtoover100countries.TheBalenoisbuiltonalighter"new
generationplatform".Thefactthatitisawhopping95kiloslighterthantheSwiftraisedalotof
eyebrows...remember,theSwiftisalightcartobeginwith!Getthis,eventhoughtheBalenoisthelongest&widest
carinitsclass,itisalsothelightestatmerely865kgs.Toputthingsinperspective,theElitei20petrolweighs1,018
kilos!Marutiinsiststhattheuseofhitensilesteelmakesit10%strongerthanitsconventionalplatform.Wehope
thereisnocompromiseonsafety,butcannotcommentfurtherunlessitiscrashtestedbyanindependentauthority.
ImportanttonotethatallvariantsgetdualairbagsandABS.
TheBalenofollowsMaruti's"LiquidFlow"designlanguage.Itsbodyiscurvyalloverwithnosharpedges.Ifoundit
ratherconservative&feelthattheBalenolackstheflairoftheElitei20.Still,itdoeslookcontemporaryandmanywill
likethestyling.Thankstoitsdimensions,theBalenohasgotgoodpresencetoo.Thefrontendlookslikeanevolution
oftheSwift's.IthaslargesweptbackHIDprojectorheadlampswithLEDdaytimerunninglights.InthemiddleisaV
shapedhoneycombmeshgrillewithachromestriprunningalongitsloweredge.Thisstripappearstoextendintothe
headlamps,runningtowardsthesideofthecar.SincethegrilleisVshaped,thereareblankareasoneitherside.A
largergrillecouldmakeitmoreinteresting,butadmittedlymoreSwiftlike.Thesimplebumperhousesalargeblack
airdamwithroundfoglamps.
Viewedfromtheside,theBalenolooksbulbous.IthasblackenedApillars(liketheSwift),awindowlinethatrises
towardstherearandacharacterlinerunningalongthelowerportionofthedoors.TheORVMsarebodycolouredand
haveintegratedturnindicators.Thedoorhandlesarefinishedinchrome,whiletheonesatthefrontcomewithrequest
sensors(forkeylessentry).ThetopofthelineAlphavariantrideson16"alloywheelsthatfillthewheelarchesvery
well.Therimdesignisdifferentfromtheregularstuffwesee,butthereisnodoubttheylooklikewheelcaps.The170
mmofgroundclearanceisatparwithmostofthecarsinthissegment.
Therearisverychic!Itsderrireiscertainlymoreattractivethantheface.Therearwindscreenissharplyrakedand
thehatchwearsnicecurves.Thereisathickchromestripthatunderlinesthewindshieldauniqueplacement.The
reversecameraishousedonthisstrip.ThecarcomeswithwraparoundLEDtaillampsthatstylishlybulgeout.The
tailgatehasanintegratedspoilertoo.Therearbumperhasthinrectangularreflectorsatthebottom.Italsohousesthe
parkingsensorsandhasacutoutinthemiddletoenableonetoliftthehatch.Aradioantennasitsontherooftowards
therearofthecar.
ThereisnoMarutibadgeanywhereontheoutsideandtheonlylogoyou'llfindisthatofSuzuki.ABalenobadgesitson
theleftofthehatch.Nope,nobadgestoshowthetrimlevelortransmissioneither,althoughthedieselgetsDDiS
badgesonitsfrontpanels.
TheBalenoisalightcarandthere'snoescapingit.Sure,thefrontdoorsfeelalrightandclosewitha'thunk'(not
thud),butthereardoorsarereallylight.IfyouarecomingfromaEuropeancar,taponsomebodypanelsandyou'll
walkawayintheotherdirection.Thatsaid,someareaslikethetailgatefeelsubstantialenough,thoughtheyarefew
andfarbetween.Marutineedstoworkonitsbuildqualitytoo.AlmosteverydealershiptestdriveBalenoouttherehas
rattlesemanatingfromtherearofthecar.

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Unusuallystyledfrontendmakesfortheleastappealingviewofthecar.TheVshapedradiatorgrilleisweirdly
designedwithlargegapsoneitherside!Wethinkthiswasintentional...todifferentiateitfromtheSwift.Witha
conventionalgrille,thetwowouldlooktoosimilar:

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Chiclookingrearwithasharplyrakedwindscreen,bulgingouttaillampsandafat,uniquelypositionedchromestrip:

ThetintedeffectfromtheUVCutglasslooksswell.Viewedfromtheside,theBalenohasabulbouslook.Maruti's
liquidflowdesignmeansit'sallcurvy,nosharplineshere.Wheelarchesareveryprominent:

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BlackenedAPillar,justliketheSwift.Balenodoesn'tturnheadslikeanewproductusuallydoes.Itblendsinwiththe
crowd&doesn'tstandout:

OneofthebestanglestoviewtheBalenofrom.Infact,theBalenolooksprettierthanthemoreexpensivecarthatit
sharesshowroomspacewith(i.e.theSCross):

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Swiftlikeheadlampswithprojectors&LEDDRLs.Seehowtheradiatorgrille'schromestripextendsintothe
headlamps:

Withtheprojector&DRLinaction:

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BrightDRLsarealwayson,evenduringtheday.Frontgrilleisawkwardlyshaped.Bumperhasasimpledesign&
layout:

Shockingly,nounderbodyprotectionatall!Notevenaplasticcoverbelowtheengine.ThisisunacceptableforIndian
roadconditionsMarutishouldknowbetter:

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Apairoftrinozzlewasherssprayenoughwatertocleanthewindscreen:

16"rimswith195/55sectionApolloAlnac4GtyresgivetheBalenoanicestance.ArareMarutihatchbackthatisn't
undertyred.Opinionswillbedividedonthisalloywheeldesignlookslikeawheelcapforsure.Somedidfindit
classythough.Lesservariantsareequippedwith185/65R15tyres:

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Smallflapsaheadoftherearwheelstoo.Purpose=aerodynamics:

Bothwheelwellsgetcladdingontheinside:

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Chromedoorhandles.Requestsensorsonbothsides,butkeyholeonlyonthedriver's:

ORVMsmountedonthedoor,justlikeitsbiggersibling,theSCross:

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SharplyangledCPillar&slopingrooflookgreat,buttheychewawayrearheadroom.Windowlinerisestowardthe
rear,whichmeanstheglassareaisn'tlarge.Don'tmissthesubtlechromestriprunningalongthewindowline:

Short,stubbyroofantennasharedwiththeSwiftsitstowardtherear:

LiketheHondaJazz,theBalenohasitsrearquarterglassontheCPillar.Bringsthatmuchmorelightinside:

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LEDtaillampcluster.Lowervariantsgetaslightlydifferentunit(imagelink).The2nd(lower)stripisadummy:

WiththeLEDsinaction:

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Reversingcameraissweetlyintegratedintothechromegarnish:

Justlikeatthefront,therearbumperalsohasasimpledesign.4parkingsensorswithapairofreflectorsatthe
bottom:

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MarutiBaleno:OfficialReviewTeamBHP

The"Baleno"badgehasalmostthesamefont&styleastheoriginal(linktoimage):

170mmofgroundclearance.However,therearendsagsconsiderablywithpassengersonthebackseat.We'llleave
thefinalverdictontherealworldclearancetoourownershipreports.Fueltankcapacity=37liters.That'seven
smallerthantheSwift(42liters)!

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MarutiBaleno:OfficialReviewTeamBHP

Shutlinesareatparwithothersinthesegment.Verytightinsomeplacesand...

...wider&lessconsistentaroundthebonnet:

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MarutiBaleno:OfficialReviewTeamBHP

TheBalenoisexactlyaslongastheDzireandisasuperiorcartoo.Wecan'tthinkofanyreasontopicktheDzireover
theBaleno:

SidebysidewiththeElitei20:

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Inred.Alsoavailableinaniceblue(linktoimage)whichappearstobeafavouritewithBHPians.Inthispic,notice
theDDiSbadgeonthefrontpanels.Otherthanthis,there'snowaytotellthedieselapartfromthepetrol:

LasteditedbyGTO:11thDecember2015at15:54.Reason:flashoflightning

(61)Thanks

9thDecember
2015,18:03

#3

Aditya
TeamBHP
Support

JoinDate:Feb
2004
Location:
Mumbai
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Thanked:13,716
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InteriorFront
TheBalenoisequippedwithakeylessentry&gosystem,whichmeansyoudon'thavetotakeoutthekeytounlock
thedoororstartthecar.Aslongasthesmartkeyisinyourpocket,presstherequestsensorlocatedonthedoor
handletoenter.Requestsensorshavebeenprovidedonbothfrontdoors.
Thefrontdoorsopenwidewitha3stageactionand,asthecarisnottoolow,ingressandegressaren'ttroublesome.
Onceinside,you'llnoticethattheinteriorsareveryspacious(unliketheSwift).Nobeigeherethecabinisblack
coloured.Somewilllikeit,otherswillmissbeige.Thesilverinsertslooktasteful,andtheupperhalfofthecabin
(pillars,rooflining,sunvisorsandIRMV)isinbeige.Whiletheoverallqualityisacceptable,it'scertainlynotinthe
leagueoftheElitei20whichremainsthebenchmark.Takeacloselookattheinteriorplasticsandyou'llfindseveral
budgetgradeareas.Thecabinisfullofhardplastics.Thedoorpanelsfeelveryflimsy,andtheyflexsoeasily!Part
qualityiscomparabletoaSwift,andnotthepremiumhatchbacksinthemarket.Thatsaid,noroughedgesorill
fittedpartsanywhere.Therearesomeneattouchestoo.Thecabinhasambientlightingthefootwellsareilluminated
byaredglowwhentheparkinglightsareswitchedon.Boththesunvisorsareequippedwithticketholdersand
illuminatedvanitymirrors.Ifyouputyourhandbehindtheglovebox,you'llfindthatitispaddedtopreventrattling.
Thedashboard'sdesignisstraightforwardanduserfriendly.Itiscontemporaryenough.Allcontrolsareprettymuch

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whereyou'dexpectthemtobe,easytoreachandtooperate.The3spokesteeringwheelisastraightliftfromthe
Ciaz.Whileitdoesn'thavethumbcontours,itstillfeelsnicetohold.Thesteeringisaleatherwrappedunitwith
chromeinsertsandintegratedbuttonsforaudio&telephony.Thesteeringcanbeadjustedforheightaswellasreach.
Anyfault?Yes,operatingthehornpadrequiresyoutostretchyourthumb.Thewiperandlightstalksarewellplaced
makingthemeasytooperate.Thegearleverisn'ttoofarfromthewheel,whichmeansyourlefthandneedstotravel
thatmuchlesserbetweenthetwo.ThegearknobisliftedfromtheCiazaswell.
Thefrontseatshavesufficientpadding&justtherightamountoffirmness(nottoosoft,nortoohard).Theneck
restraintsarefirm,butnotrockhard.Mustcommentthattheupholsteryqualityitselffeelseconomygrade.The
driver'sseatgetsheightadjustmentand,withthesteeringwheel'sfourwayadjustability,itdoesn'ttakelongtofind
acomfortabledrivingposition.You'llbeathomein2minutes.Theseatbeltsareheightadjustabletoo.
TheABCpedalsarelogicallyplacedandproperlyspacedout.Theraiseddeadpedalisusableaswell.At5'10",Ihad
noproblemswiththeheadroom.Whatisn'tcoolistheplacementofthecenterarmrest.Itislocated~10cmbehind
thanwhereitshouldhavebeen.Thismakesituselessformostdrivers.
Frontalvisibilityisgoodduetothelowplaceddashboard.WhiletheApillarsarethick,theydon'thampervisibilityas
someothercarsweknow.TheORVMsarewellplacedandownerswillappreciatetheir'electricfold'feature.Theyare
attractivelystyled,butIwouldhavelikedthemtobewider.Theyareasizetoonarrow.TheIRVMhasanauto
dimmingfunction.Rearwardvisibilityisratherpoorastheglassareaislimited.ThethickCpillarsandbigrear
headrestsfurtherreducetheviewoutback.WemustaddthatblindspotsarecreatedbythethickCpillarsevenwhile
you'redriving,sobecarefulofabikerorthelikehiddenbehind.
Theinstrumentclusterisallnewwiththetachometerontheleft,a4.2"colourTFTMIDinthemiddleandthe
speedometerontheright.Happytoseeatemperaturegaugehere.Thetwodialshavewhitefontswithbluecircles
runningontheinside.Theylooksupercool!TheMIDofferstheusualdata:realtime&averagefueleconomy,
distancetoemptycounter,temperature&timeetc.Uniquely,italsoshowsyouthepower&torquebeingused
(picturesbelow).Varioussettings(security,lightsetc.)canbetunedviatheMID.
The'SmartPlay'infotainmentheadunitisthesameoneseenintheSCross&Ciaz.Ithasa7"touchscreenwithUSB,
AUX,SDcardandBluetoothconnectivity.Thetouchscreeniseasytoreadandtherearenoissueswithlightor
reflections.AnewadditionisAppleCarPlaythatallowstheownertousehisiPhoneviathetouchscreendisplay&Siri
voicecommandsystem.YouneedtoconnectyouriPhoneviaaUSBcabletointegrateitwiththecar.AndroidAuto?
It'sinthepipelineandshouldbeherein2016.Thetouchscreendoublesupasareversingcameraandnavigation
system.NavigationisviapreloadedmapsonanSDcard.Soundischannelledthrough6speakers.Eachdoorhouses
aspeakerandtheonesatthefrontgetatweetereach.ComparedtowhatwesawintheinitiallotofCiaz',Maruti
appearstohavemadeimprovementstotheheadunit'ssoftware.Thetouchscreenisresponsiveandsuffersverylittle
lag,ifatall.Whilewe'reontheheadunit,mustaddthattheglossyblackareaaroundthetouchscreenistheonly
fingerprintmagnetinthiscar.
Sittingbelowtheinfotainmentsystemisthehazardlightswitch.Thereisabigblankpanelnexttoitwhichgivesone
afeelingthatsomefeatureismissing.Belowthesetwobuttonsistheclimatecontrol.Thecircularclimatecontrol
displayhaswhite,easytoreadfonts.IfoundtheBaleno'saircontobeveryeffective.Itcooledthecabin
competentlyevenwhenitwasextremelyhotoutside(sadly,itstillfeelslikesummerinBombay!).Trivia=the
erstwhileBalenosedanwassaidtohavethemostpowerfulairconditionerinitsclass,andoneortwoabove.
Intermsofstorage,allfourdoorsaredesignedtohold1literwaterbottles.Thefrontdoorsalsogetwellsized
storagepockets.Thegloveboxisonthesmallersideitisilluminatedbyaredlightwhentheparkinglightsare
switchedon.Aheadofthegearleverisasquarishcompartmentwitharemovableplasticpartition.Youcanusethis
partitiontokeepthingsdivided,orremoveitwhenthere'salargerobjecttoplace.Rightabovearethe12Vpower
outlet,USBandAUXports.Thereisashallowareabelowthehandbraketokeepyoursmartphone.Additionally,the
driver'sarmresthasastoragebinunderneath.
Cabinisblackwithabeigetophalf(pillars&up).Dashboardisstraightforward&contemporary:

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BlacksteeringwheelwithchromeinsertsisborrowedfromtheCiaz.Itdoesn'thavethumbcontours,yetisniceto
hold.Hornpadcanbeastretchforyourthumbsthosewithsmallhandswillneedtotakeoneoffthewheeltohonk:

Buttonsforcontrollingtheaudiosystemarelargeandeasytouse.Mutebuttonispractical:

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Pulltypetelephonycontrolshaveauniquelocationbehind.Somewilllikeit,somewon't:

Thesteeringcanbeadjustedforheightaswellasreach

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Goodlookinginstrumentclusterwithwhitefonts&bluecircles.It'seasytoread.Nicetohaveananalogue
temperaturegauge.Petrol'srevvcounterismarkedtill8,000,butitrevsto'merely'~6,300rpm!

MIDreadoutsbeforestartingtheengineandafterswitchingitoff.Whilethesystemrecommendsthatyoupressthe
brakepedal,itactuallyrequiresonlytheclutchtobepressed.Ifyoupressthestartbuttonwithouttheclutch,thecar
enters'accessory'mode(withanMIDprompt).Inaccessorymode,youcanoperatethestereo.Afterswitchingthe
caroff,yougetasummaryofyourdrivewithrange:

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MIDreadoutsfortheclock(withnumbers&arms!),date,outsidetemperature,twotripmeters,powerandtorque
usageandthereverseparkingsensordisplay.Thepower&torquegraphicaldisplaysaregimmickyfuntouse
initially.Theyshowyouhowmuchtorque&poweryouareusing(ofwhat'savailable).Asanexample,startdriving
andyou'llseethetorquerisingmorethantheBHP:

1stdisplayisshowingtheaveragefueleconomy&distancetoempty.2nddisplayshowsthefueleconomyover5/10
/15minutes.Lastdisplayshowstheaveragespeed(5/10minutes)alongwiththedrivingtime:

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UsualbunchofsettingsintheMID.Ignore'setsensors'('trailermode'forparkingsensors):

MIDhasagearshiftindicatorthatsuggestsupshifts&downshifts.Italsodisplaysadotwhenyouareintheright
gear:

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UghliketheHondaCity,youusethisstalktoscrollthroughtheMID.Adedicatedbuttonwouldhavebeenpreferred.
Thestalkdoesn'tfeelrobusteither:

Theenginestartbuttonisplacedontherightsideofthesteeringwheel.Odd,mostcarshaveitontheleft.The
'disableparkingsensor'buttonandheadlightlevellersitbelow.Ifyoudisabletheparkingsensors,eventheparking
displayontheMIDdisappears,butthecamerastillworks(rightlyso).Foglampcontrolhasbeenmovedtothelight
stalk:

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MarutiBaleno:OfficialReviewTeamBHP

Wiperandlightstalksarechunky.Yep,theBalenogetsautoheadlamps:

Alookatthecenterconsole.Seehowthegearconsoleisangledtowardsthedriver:

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Infotainmentsystem(coveredindetaillater)withverticalairconventsonbothsides.Don'tmisstheclassychrome
borderaroundtheheadunit.Hazardlightbutton&adummypanelbelow:

Buttonstooperatetheclimatecontrolareadequatelysized.Thedisplayhaswhitefontsandiseasytoread:

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Frontseatsprovidegoodsupport.Sidebolsteringishealthy.Tall&narrowheadrestslookweird...asweirdasthejelly
beanZen'sheadrests(linktoimage)!

Frontseathasahealthytravelrange.Thefullbackposition...

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...andfullforward:

Driver'sseathasheightadjustment.Thisleverdoesn'tfeeldurableveryflimsy:

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Uselesscenterarmrestislocatedtoofarback:

Ithasastoragebinunderneath:

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Frontdoorsopenwithathreestageaction.Doorpadshouseaspeaker+tweeter(ontop).1literbottleholderwitha
wellsizeddoorpocket.Doorhandleisfinishedinshinychrome.Doorpadgetsafabricinsert(includingthearea
whereyourelbowrests):

StandardMaruticonsolethatyou'vebeenseeingsinceadecade.Driver'swindowgetsonetouchupandantipinch
functionality.Doormirrorsareelectricallyfoldable.Nope,thebuttonsaren'tilluminated:

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ORVMsshouldhavebeenwider.i20'sdesign&widtharepreferred(linktoimage):

Pedalsarewellspacedout.Deadpedalisusable:

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Frontseatbeltsareadjustableforheight:

Thereisashallowspacebelowthehandbraketoplaceyoursmartphone:

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12VpowersocketandUSB+AUXportsarelocatedaheadofthegearlever.Centerconsolegetsasquarishstorage
cubiclewitharemovablepartition:

Thegloveboxisonthesmallerside.It'silluminated,butnotcooled:

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Bothsunvisorsgetticketholdersandilluminatedvanitymirrors:

Passenger'ssunvisorgetsanairbagwarningonthefront&back!Nobabiesonthisseat

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Twinreadinglampsatthefront.TheclusteralsohousestheBluetoothmic:

Asyoucansee,rearwardvisibilityislimitedintheBaleno:

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LasteditedbyGTO:9thDecember2015at18:10.

(46)Thanks

9thDecember
2015,18:03

#4

Aditya
TeamBHP
Support

JoinDate:Feb
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ViewMyGarage

InteriorRear
TheBaleno'sreardoorsopenwitha2stageaction.Theyopenwideenoughandgettinginisn'tdifficult,thoughthe
elderlywillfindtherearseattobeplacedlow.Onceagain,thespacewillimpressyou.Talladultswilleasilybe
accommodatedontherearseat.Evenwiththefrontseatpushedallthewayback,thereissufficientlegroomatthe
rear.At5'10",Ihad~3inchesofkneeroominthisposition!Withtheseatinmyowndrivingposition,thekneeroom
doubled.
Therearseatiswideenoughtoaccommodatethreepassengers.Thefloorhumpisabout3incheshigh,butnottoo
wide.Whileitisn'tintrusive,themiddlepassengerwillbehappiesttoplacehisfeetoneithersideofit.
Whiletherearseatiswideandfairlywellpadded,tallpassengerswillwishitwasplacedalevelhigher.Tall
occupantswillsitinasomewhatkneesuppositionthiscanaffecttheunderthighsupportforthem.Itisalsoflat
withnocontourstospeakof.Theseatgetstwoproperlysizedadjustableneckrestraintsandis60:40splitfolding,
butthereisnocenterarmrest.Headroomisjustaboutenoughattherear.Ihadtwoinchestospareatbest.Anyone
over6feettallislikelytobrushhishair/headagainsttheroof.ThisisprobablywhyMarutididn'tplacethatrear
benchanyhigher.Duetotherisingwindowline,shortpassengerswillhavetheiroutsideviewobstructed,whilethose
largefrontseatheadrestsblockyourviewoftheroadahead.
Thedoorpadshouse1literbottleholders.Thefrontpassenger'sseatgetsaseatbackpocketwhichcanbeusedfor
storage.A12vpowersocketforchargingyoursmartphonehasbeenprovidedandtherightsidegrabhandlesportsa
coathook.However,there'snorearairventherelikeintheElitei20.Consideringthepowerfulaircon,wedoubt
anyonewillbecomplainingthough.
Youcanaccessthebootwithoutremovingthesmartkeyfromyourpocket.Simplypresstherequestsensor(placedon
theunderside)tounlock,andthenpressthereleasebuttonthatislocatednexttoit.TheBalenohasoneofthe
biggestbootsamonghatchbacks.At339litres,itisonlysecondtotheHondaJazz(354litres)!Eventhoughthe
suspensiontakesupsomespace,ithasenoughroomtoaccommodatemediumsizedsuitcases.Bootspacecanbe
increasedconsiderablybyfoldingtherearseatdown.Ontheflipside,itsmouthisnotaswideastheElitei20's.
Reason?ThetaillightsarefixedonepieceunitsratherthanthesplitunitsoftheHyundai.Additionally,thebootsillis
ratherhigh.AMarutiengineertoldmetheyhadtomakeitsobecauseoftheEuropeanlegislationonbumperheight.
Reardoorsopeninadualstageaction.Doorpadshave1literbottleholders&fabricinsertsforyourforearms.Black
colourmeanslesscleaning:

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Longwheelbase=impressiverearlegroom.Talladults?Nosweat:

Ontherightismesittingbehinda5'10"driver.Amplelegroom:

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Rearbenchiswideenoughfor3occupants.Bigheadrestsareadjustable.Nocenterarmrestprovidedhowever.Seat
isflatwithnocontourstospeakof:

Talloccupantswillfindtherearseattobealeveltoolowandthiscantakeawayunderthighsupportforthem.Maruti
couldn'traiseitthoughlookattheheadroom(I'm5'10").6footerswillbrushtheirheadagainsttheroof:

Acloserlookatthelimitedheadroom&bigadjustableneckrestraints:

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Floorhumpisabout3incheshighandnottoointrusive.Still,themiddlepassengerwillwanttoplacehisfeeton
eithersideofit:

Noairconditionerventattherear(Elitei20hasit),butthereisa12Vpowersockettochargeyoursmartphone.
Don'tmissthesmallstoragecubiclebelow:

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SimplecabinlightissharedwithotherMarutis.Itislocatedbetweenthefront&rearseats:

Frontpassenger'sseatgetsaseatbackpocket.Veryuseful:

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Rearwindowcanberolleddownalltheway...well,almost:

Springloadedgrabhandleshaveadampedaction.Onlytherearrightunitgetsacoathook:

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Bootspaceisawhopping339liters,secondonlytotheJazz!Themouthisn'taswideastheElitei20's,thankstothe
fixedonepiecetaillamps.Loadinglipishightoo,soyouwillneedto'liftup'luggage:

Evenwiththesuspensiontakingupsomeplace,thebootcanaccommodateahealthyamountofluggage:

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Parceltraygetsaprominentlipalongitsbordertokeepthingsfromrollingoff:

Rearseatscansplitina60:40ratioforcargoflexibility.Herealso,youcanseethesheerheightoftheboot'sloading
lip:

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Withtherearseatsfoldeddown.Rearseatsdon'tfoldflatlikethoseoftheHondaJazztopvariant(imagelink):

Bootgetsalightalongwithabaghookontheleft:

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Whileexportvariantsgetaspacesaver,theIndianBalenohasa185/65R15steelwheel.Tyreisthinner&wheelis
smallerthanthetopvariant's195/55R16rubber.Itcarriesaspeedlimitof80kph,butwe'reguessingonlyforthe
topvariantwhereitssizediffersfromtheregular4tyres.Eventhebrand(MRFZVTV)isdifferentfromtheregular
tyres(ApolloAlnac)onthetopvariant!

Alookatthetoolsandtheirpackingpouch:

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Noneedtoremovethesmartkeyfromyourpocket.Simplypressthisrequestsensor(ontheright)andtherelease
button:

Thehatchisheldupbypneumaticstrutsonbothsides:

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LasteditedbyGTO:9thDecember2015at18:09.

(41)Thanks

9thDecember
2015,18:03

#5

Aditya
TeamBHP
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JoinDate:Feb
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TheInCarEntertainment
7"touchscreenheadunit'sinterfaceisnowafamiliarsightonexpensiveMarutis.It'sdividedintofoursections.The
touchscreenisquitefast,withverylittlelag,ifany.AnimprovementfromwhatwesawinthefirstbatchofCiazes:

ViewMyGarage

Musiccanbeplayedfromavarietyofsources:

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Userinterfaceisnice:

Pairingwithyoursmartphoneisquick&easy:

Usethepresetequalizersorsetthesoundyourself:

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Acloselookatthedoormountedtweeter:

Rearviewcamerahascolourcodeddistancedemarcations.Veryhelpfulwhileparking,especiallyastherearward
visibilityispoor.Reversingcameraiseffectiveatnightaswell:

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Terriblyannoying.Youhaveto'confirm'eachtimebeforeusingthenavigationsystem:

ThenavigationisSDcardbased.MapsprovidedbyNokiaHERE:

Straightforwardinterfaceallowsyoutosearchforaparticularlocationwithease:

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POIsincludeMarutiSuzukidealerships&servicecenters:

LasteditedbyGTO:9thDecember2015at18:08.

(38)Thanks

9thDecember
2015,18:03

#6

Aditya
TeamBHP
Support

JoinDate:Feb
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Drivingthe1.2LPetrolMT
1.2literK12engineusedinmanyotherMaruticars.Loadsofemptyspace!Theenginebaycaneasilyaccommodatea
largermotor,butweallknowthat'snotinthepipeline.Noticethatthepetroldoesn'tgetanenginecover:

ViewMyGarage

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TheBalenoispoweredbythesame1,197cc,4cylinderK12petrolengineastheSwift,RitzandDzire.Itproduces83
BHP@6,000rpmand115Nmoftorque@4,000rpm.ThisisaboutthesameastheHyundaiElitei20but6BHP
lesserthantheHondaJazz.Nevertheless,withakerbweightofmerely865kg,theBalenohasapowertoweight
ratioof96BHP/tonwhichisbetterthantheHyundai&Honda.Itstorquetoweightratioof133Nm/tonisalso
superiortothei20&Jazz.
Tostarttheengine,theMIDasksyoutopresstheclutch&brake,thenhittheenginestart/stopbutton.Still,the
Balenostartswithjusttheclutchpedaldepressed.Atidle,theengineisveryrefined.
Maruti's1.2LKserieshasalwaysbeenconsideredajewel.TheBalenoisthelightestcarit'sbeendeployedin.Hence,
theenginefeelsbetterthanitdoesevenintheSwift.TheBalenooffersgooddriveabilityinthecityandthelowrpm
behaviourissatisfactory(by1.2Lstandards).It'slikeableandthecardoesdrivebetterthantheElitei201.2L.If
thereisafault,it'sthatthe3rdgearisalittletallerthanwewouldhaveliked,thustherewillbesituationswhereyou
havetodownshiftto2ndwhenthespeeddrops.Otherthanthat,theengineiscompetent.Combinethatwiththelight
steering,goodfrontalvisibility&spotonergonomicsandtheBalenomakesforagreatcitycommuter.
Openroadperformanceisenjoyable.Inastraightdragto100,theBalenoiseasilyquickerthanthei20&Jazz.Power
deliveryisalsolinearinnature.The1.2Lpetrolisveryrevvhappy&remainsrefinedthroughouttherpmrangethe
feelabove4,000rpmisnice.Theenginenoteathighrpmsoundsgreattoanenthusiastlikeme(althoughregular
Joeswon'tlikeit).ThankstotheBaleno'speppynature,highwayperformanceissatisfactory.Thereisadownside
though=Marutihassetthemaxenginerpmtoaveryconservative~6,300rpm.Thefuelsupplycutsoff
unexpectedly!Thisisdisappointingastheengineisstillpullingwellandeasilyhasacoupleofhundredrevsleft.
Therewillbetimeswhenyou'll(unexpectedly)hittherevvlimiterinthemiddleofanovertakingmanouveur,andbe
forcedtoupshift.Intermsofcruisability,100kphisseenat2,500rpmin5thgear.That'smorerelaxedthanthei20's
enginewhichisspinningat2,750rpm.
Theclutchislightandpressingittakesnoeffort.Thegearshiftisalsosmoothtooperate,andslottingintotheright
geariseasy.
TheBaleno's21.4kplARAIratingishigherthanthatoftheSwift.Again,it'salldowntothelightkerbweight.In
termsofNVH,Marutihasclearlyskimpedoninsulationmaterials.Whetherthiswasduetoweightorcostsavingis
anybody'sguess,buthighrpmenginesoundismorethanyouwouldexpect.Enthusiastswillenjoyit,regularfolk
won't.Asthespeedometerclimbs,tyre&windnoisestartcreepingintothecabintoo.
Boththepetrolanddieselgetaninsulationsheethere:

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Massivegapbetweentheengineandradiator.Thereisnounderbodyprotection.Youcanseethegroundbelowvery
clearly:

Firewallgetsinsulationsheetaswell.Itisn'tenoughthough.Thequalityofinsulationisn'ttooursatisfaction:

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VINstampedontheleftsideoftheenginebay:

5speedmanualissmooth:

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Drivingthe1.2LPetrolCVT
TheCVTgearlever.Blackbuttonontherightsideengages'sport'mode.NopaddleshiftersliketheJazz:

Lotsofroominthefootwell.Deadpedaltorelaxyourleftlegtoo:

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GearpositionisprominentlydisplayedontheMID:

ItookaspinintheCVTvariantaswell!AmabitsurprisedthatMarutichoseaCVTfortheBaleno,consideringhow
hardtheyarepushingtheAMTinotherhatchbacks.Onethingforsure,theCVTisfarsmootherthantheAMTandhas
noneofthatjerkiness.
ThoselookingforaconvenientcitycarwillbepleasedwiththeBalenoautomatic.AswithmostCVTgearboxes,this
onetooperformsbetteronpartthrottleinputthanfullthrottle.KeepthepedalinputslightandtheBalenomoves
seamlessly.AsistypicalofCVTs,thedrivingexperienceisbuttersmooth.Ifyouareinbumpertobumpertraffic,
simplytakeyourfootoffthebrakepedal(withoutanyacceleratorinput)andthecarcrawlsforwardgently.Thiscuts
downondrivereffortinstop/gotrafficandhence,reducesfatigue.Throttleresponseatcityspeedsisgoodandas
longasyouaregentlewiththeaccelerator,theCVTisverysmooth.However,presstheacceleratorhardandyoull
feelajerk.TheCVT,excellentfrontseats&lightsteeringmaketheBalenoautomaticabreezetodriveinthecity.

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Onthehighway,theCVTisnotimpressive.Thatinfamousrubberbandeffectisfeltwhenyoudrivehard.Stompon
theApedalandtheenginerevvsto6,000rpm,butthespeedofthecarincreasesveryslowly(whiletheengineis
screamingitslungsout).There'salotofnoiseandnoprogress.TheweaknessofCVTgearboxesismostevidentwith
smallenginesandit'snodifferenthere(justlikewhatwesawwiththeJazz1.2LCVT).What'smore,acceleratehard,
leavethethrottle,thenpressitagainandyou'llseeadelaybeforethepowercomesin.TheCVT'sperformancecan
befrustratingonafastexpressway.Mostownerswilljustprefertomovetothemiddlelane,leaveanypretensionsof
urgencybehindandcruisecalmly.Thisgearboxhatestobeoverworked.Overtakingmanoeuvresalsoneedtobe
plannedcarefully.TheCVTdoesofferasportmode.Engagingitgetsyouaslightlybetterresponsetothrottleinputs
andthespeedbuildsupalittlequicker.Perhapsbetterforthehighway,butletmemakeonethingclear=it'sfar
from"sporty".
Insummary,theCVTismostsuitedtopointA>Burbancommutingwithgradualinputsfromthedriver.Ifyouare
asedatedriver,youcanmanageonthehighwaytoo.ButthecompetitioninparticularthePoloGTTSI&Figo1.5L
DCTarewaymorecompetent.
TheCVT'sARAIratingof21.4kplisidenticaltoitspetrolsibling.MarutisuppliestheCVTonlyontheDelta(second
frombase)trimlevel.Maybe,amoreequippedautomaticvariantwillfollowlater.
Drivingthe1.3LDiesel
Familiar1.3Ldieselrunningthemassmarketstateoftune.Dieselgetsanenginecover(unlikethepetrol):

TheBalenousesthe1,248cc,4cylinderdieselenginefoundinsomanycarsthatwe'venamedit'thenationalengine
ofIndia'.TheDDiS190,asMarutipreferstocallit,hasafixedgeometryturbochargerandproduces74BHP@4,000
rpmandpeaktorqueof190Nm@2,000rpm.TheBaleno'scompetitorssuchastheHyundaiElitei20andHondaJazz
uselargercapacitydieselsthatmake89BHP/220Nmand99BHP/200Nmoftorquerespectively.Wewere
expectingMarutitodeploythe89BHPVGTversionofthisengine.Alas,thatisn'tthecase,possiblytodifferentiate
themoreexpensiveSCross1.3LfromtheBaleno.
Again,thankstotheBaleno'slighterkerbweight,ithasapowertoweightratioof77BHP/tonwhichiscomparable
totheElitei20.TheHondaJazzwith88BHP/tonleadsthepackbyalongwaythough.Justforreference,theSwift
hasapowertoweightratioof70BHP/ton.
Hittheenginestartbuttonandafamiliarclattergreetsyou.Yep,thenoiseinsulationisn'tasgoodasitshouldbeina
contemporaryhatchback.Thisisfeltmoreinthedieselthanthepetrol.
Thedieselmovesofftheblockseffortlessly.TheBalenoislighterthantheSwift,thusitfeelsalittlemorepeppy.
Thereissometurbolagbelow2,000rpm,yetMarutihastuneditinamannerthatonecanlivewithit,especiallyin
thelowergears.Thismakestheengineacceptableinthecity.Itsonlywhenyouneedtoclosegapsquicklyorwhen
therpmneedledropstoolowthatyou'llneedtodownshift.Nodoubt,carsliketheJazz&Figo1.5offersuperior
driveabilitywiththeirzerolagpowerplants.Cross2,000rpmandyoucanfeeltheturbo'sboost,butit'snotamajor
rush.
WhiletheBalenopetrolisquickerthanitscompetitors,theElitei20&Jazzarefasterwhenitcomestothediesels.
No,it'snoslouch,butneitheristheBaleno1.3Laroadburner.Openroadperformanceisparforthecourseandthe
dieselengineoffersagoodmidrange.Pushitandshe'llrevvto5,400rpm(thoughit'sbesttoupshiftearlier).Work
theengineandyoucanmakedecentprogressonthehighway.TheBalenodieselcanbearelaxedcruiseraswell
100kphisseenat2,100rpm.Atthispoint,theengineisin'turbo'zone,henceyoudon'tneedtodownshifttomake
anexpresswaypass.
Theclutchislightenough,thegearboxissmoothtooperateanditsgatesarewelldefined.Nocomplaintsonthis
front.WhatownerswilldislikethoughisMarutiskimpingonNVHmaterials.Ireiterate,thediesel'sclatter&highrpm
soundaremoreaudiblethanwhatyou'dexpectinamodernhatchback.Incomparison,thei20offersrefinementthat

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isatleast2levelsbetter.Nocontest.
TheBalenodiesel'sARAIratingisawhopping27.39kpl.Wehavenodoubtthatownerswillfinditsfueleconomyto
beveryendearing.Equally,wemustaddthattheElitei20&Jazzofferdieselenginesthatarebettertodrive(inthe
cityandontheopenroad).
Ride,Handling,Steering&Braking
TheBalenohasagoodsuspensiontuneforafamilyhatchback.Tostartwith,ridequalityisverypliant.Atlow
speeds,thecabiniscomfortable,notjigglyorbumpy.Thesuspensionissilentaswellwithnoannoyingsounds
producedonbadroads.Ownerswillenjoythecomfortlevels.Athighwayspeeds,theBalenojustglidesoverrough
patchesandroadirregularities.Ofcourse,large&sharpbumpsdopermeatethroughthecabin.Thisismoresointhe
topvariantwith16"rims.Thelowervariantswith15"wheels&tallersidewallsshouldofferanevenbetterride.Since
thelast4years,we'veseenMarutiengineersincreasinglyfocusonridecomfortandtheBalenoisnodifferent.
Intermsofhandling,thegriplevelsaresafe&predictable.TheBalenoisn'tastightorfuntodriveasthesmaller
Swift,yetitsoveralldynamicsaresortedandtherearenonastysurprises.It'scleanandbehavesasintended.The
factthattheBalenoisadequatelytyred(notusuallythecaseforaMarutihatchback)with195/55R16rubbermakesa
BIGdifference.Iflungthecarintocornersatspeedandshemanagedtoholdtheintendedline.Pushhardandyou
willfeelthebodyroll,withundersteercomingingraduallyasyouapproachthelimit.No,it'snotrazorsharpora
cornercarvingtool,butforafamilyhatchback,thedynamicsareveryneutral.Wehadourconcernsonhighspeed
stabilityduetothelightweightnatureofthecar.Restassured,theBalenocancruiseat120kphallday.Thecar
(surprisingly)doesn'tfeelnervousatthisspeed.NotrocksolidliketheEuropeans,yetsatisfactorybyJapanesecar
standards.Thatsaid,strongcrosswindsdoaffectthecar'sstabilityonthehighway.
TheBaleno'selectricpowersteeringisverylightwhileparking,andatlowspeeds.Thismakesitadelightinthecity.
Thesteeringisfairlydirectaswell!Asthespeedometerclimbs,theEPSweighsupadequately(butisnever'heavy').
Additionally,theBaleno'sturningradiusof4.9meterswillmakethoseUturnseasierthantheJazz(5.1m)&Elitei20
(5.2m).
Groundclearanceisratedat170mm.That'sprettymuchthesegmentstandard,withmostcompetitorsoffering
similarlevelsofclearance.Ontheflipside,wenoticedthattherearoftheBalenodoessagconsiderablywhenthe
backseatisfilledupwithpassengers.Thisisacauseforconcern.We'llleavefinalverdicttoourownershipreports.
StoppingpowercomesfromtypicallyMarutibrakes.Translated,theydothejob,butarenothingtowritehomeabout.
Ididfindthebrakepedaltobespongyandwishthatitprovidedmoreinitialbite.ABSisstandardonallvariantsof
theBaleno.ThisisawelcomemoveasthenonABSvariantsoftheSwift&Dzireareknownfortheirpoorbraking
ability.
LasteditedbyGTO:10thDecember2015at16:40.

(63)Thanks

9thDecember2015,18:03

#7

Aditya
TeamBHPSupport

JoinDate:Feb2004
Location:Mumbai
Posts:5,668
Thanked:13,716Times
ViewMyGarage

OtherPoints:
TeamBHPwasthefirsttoshowyoutheYRA/BalenoinIndia
thread!

linktoAnshuman'sscoop

TheBaleno'ssalesperformanceisallthemoreimpressivewhenyouconsiderthatit'sbeingsold
throughNexaoutletsonly.ThesearelimitedinreachandsimplycannotmatchMaruti'smain
dealershipnetwork.
Inthecity,watchthewidth.Thisisawidehatchbackandit'lltakeyousometimetogettheright
'judgement'.Lightweightmakesitveryagiledespitethesize,youcanchuckitaroundwithease.
ThisplatformwillbeusedforfutureMarutis,includingthenextgenerationSwift(andthus,the
Dzire&Ertiga).
Availablein7coloursSolidFireRed,PremiumUrbanBlue,MetallicPremiumSilver,Autumn
Orange,RayBlue,PearlArcticWhiteandGraniteGrey.Noblack
.
TheMTvariantsaresoldin4trimlevelsSigma,Delta,ZetaandAlpha.TheCVTisavailablein
Deltaonly.
Ifyoubuythetopvariant,youdon'tneedtoupgradethetyres.Ifyoubuythelowervariantswith
185mmtyresandarelookingtoupgrade,thisthreadisforyou.
ABS,dualairbagsandfrontseatbeltswithpretensioners+forcelimitersarestandardonall
Balenovariants.Agreatmove.Couldalsobeduetomarketingconsiderationsastheequipmenthelps
negatethe'safetyconcerns'createdbyitslightweight.We'retalkingaboutmassmarketperception
levelshere.
Goodnewsis,onthevariantswithouttheenginestartbutton,there'snouglyplasticcapreminding
youofwhatyou'remissing.ThankstoBHPianHolyDriverforsharingthispicture.
Standardwarrantyof2years/40,000kms.Extendedwarrantyforupto4years/80,000kmscan
bepurchased.
Serviceintervalof10,000km/1year.Therearetwobasicinspectionsatthe1,000km/1month
&5,000km/6monthsmarkatthestart.
Allvariantsexceptthebaseget60:40splittingrearseats.

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Happytoseethatusefulfeaturesliketherearwash/wipe/defoggerareavailableonallvariants,
otherthanthebase.TheElitei20getsrearwash&wipeonlyonthetopAstavariant.
Ininternationalmarkets,theBalenogetsa1.0L,3cylinderBoosterjetturbochargedpetrolengine
withdirectinjection.Itmakes109BHP&170Nmoftorque!!We'lldefinitelyseethisenginehere
sometimeinthefuture.
Balenoisequippedwith'followmehome'and'leadmetovehicle'lights.
Disclaimer:MarutiinvitedTeamBHPfortheBalenotestdrive.Theycoveredallthetravelexpenses
forthisdrivingevent.
WatchGadgetWala'svideotoseetheAppleCarPlayinaction:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ipwvj7RNBKc

LasteditedbyGTO:9thDecember2015at18:58.

(48)Thanks

9thDecember
2015,18:03

#8

Aditya
TeamBHP
Support

JoinDate:Feb
2004
Location:
Mumbai
Posts:5,668
Thanked:13,716
Times

TheSmalleryetSignificantThings:
TheBalenocomeswith'UVCutGlasses'whichMaruticlaimscutUVraysbyupto85%.Totheircredit,Ididn'tfeel
thesunstingmyrightarmwhiledrivingaroundthecityonahotday.UVcutglassprovidedonthesidewindows&
quarterglasses.Inthissunfilmlessera,suchsolutionsfromthefactoryareagodsend.Wehopeothermanufacturers
followsuit:

ViewMyGarage

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Footwellsgetredambientlighting:

LinktotheBaleno'sofficialaccessoryarea.ThankstoBHPianabhik897forsharingthepriceshere:

http://www.teambhp.com/forum/officialnewcarreviews/171209marutibalenoofficialreview.html

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Thesmartkey:

OBDportislocatedbelowthedashboard(ontheright):

http://www.teambhp.com/forum/officialnewcarreviews/171209marutibalenoofficialreview.html

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Acubicleabovethebonnetrelease:

Thesideventsgetsilversurroundsandairvolumecontrolwhichisn'tsmoothrequiredsomeefforttooperate:

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Noairvolumecontrolforthecentervents:

Rearseatgetshookstoparktheseatbelt:

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Climatecontrolbuttonsarelitupinorangewhentheparkinglightsareturnedon:

IRVMgetsthe'autodimming'feature.Itsvisibilityishamperedbythesmallrearwindshield,thickCpillarsandlarge
rearheadrests:

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MIDshowstheexactdoorthatisopen:

Handbrakehasaveryshorttravelrange.Thisisaboutashighasitgoes:

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Floormatsaresecuredindedicatedslots.NoticetheHindiwarninglabel,araresightoncarsinIndia:

DDiSbadgesonbothfrontpanelsdistinguishthedieselBalenofromthepetrol(petrolgetsnobadging):

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Thefuelflapreleasepeepsoutfromasmallholeinthefloormat.Nobootreleaseaccompanyingit.Thehatchlocks/
unlockswiththecentrallockingsystem:

A"DieselOnly"stickeronthefuelflaptowarnthepumpattendant:

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PetrolBalenodoesn'tgetanysticker.Besuretomonitoryourselfwhat'sgoingintoherbelly:

Ablackplasticspillprotectorisprovided:

http://www.teambhp.com/forum/officialnewcarreviews/171209marutibalenoofficialreview.html

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Yep,theORVMsareIndiafriendly!

Rubberbeadingdoesn'tfeelpremium(helloNexa?).Afterfixingitproperly,itwouldagainstartsagginginashort
while:

http://www.teambhp.com/forum/officialnewcarreviews/171209marutibalenoofficialreview.html

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Puddlelampsensurethatyoudon'tsteponanundesirablesurface:

MetalstickerwithVIN&enginenumbersrivetedonthedriver'sdoorframe:

http://www.teambhp.com/forum/officialnewcarreviews/171209marutibalenoofficialreview.html

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29PSIallaround:

NexashowroombeforetheBaleno(thankstoBHPianvolkman10forthesepics).Salesmenoutnumbercustomers:

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AftertheBaleno.Morecustomers,lesssalesmen:

LasteditedbyGTO:9thDecember2015at18:05.

(50)Thanks

9thDecember
2015,18:03

#9

Aditya
TeamBHP
Support

ChiefCompetitorsoftheMarutiBaleno
HyundaiElitei20

JoinDate:Feb
2004
Location:
Mumbai
Posts:5,668
Thanked:13,716
Times
ViewMyGarage

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Whatyou'lllike:
Allroundedpackageinasharpdesign.Improvedoverthe1stgeni20innearlyeveryway
Spaciousinteriorswithoutstandingquality,fitandfinish.Practical285literboottoo
1.4Ldieselhasexcellentdriveability,refinement,performance&fueleconomy.6speedgearboxissmooth
Maturesuspensionoffersacomfortablerideandneutralhandlingcharacteristics
Hyundai'sfussfreeownershipexperience&excellentaftersalesservice
Loadedwithfeatures&gizmos(16"rims,keylessentry&go,8speakerstereo,rake&reachsteering,rearaircon,
reversingcam,cooledgloveboxandlotsmore)
Whatyouwon't:
Missingequipmentvisavisoldi20:Reardiscbrakes,side&curtainairbags,sunroof,autowipers&DRLs
1.2Lpetrolisnowhereasimpressiveasthediesel.Mediocrehighwayperformanceforapremiumhatchback
Anyoneover5'11"willfindrearheadroomtobeinsufficient.Slopingroofeatsintocabinheightattheback
Dynamics&steeringaren'ttoanenthusiast'stastes.Swift,Poloetc.aremorefuntodrive
Onroadpricedifferencebetweenthepetrol&dieselis~1.3lakhs.That'shigherthanthecompetition
RearwiperonlyonthetopAstatrim!Nofuelefficiencyindicator,autolockingdoorsorheightadjustableseatbelts
onanyvariant
HondaJazz

Whatyou'lllike:

http://www.teambhp.com/forum/officialnewcarreviews/171209marutibalenoofficialreview.html

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Versatilepackagewearingsharpclothes.Onecarforseveralroles
Spacious,userfriendlycabin.EasilytheroomiesthatchbackinIndia
Big354literbootisthesegmentbest.Magicseatsbringtonsofflexibility
Practical&efficientdiesel,refined&revvhappypetrolandaconvenientCVT.Takeyourpick
Comfortableridequality.MuchimprovedovertheolderJazz
Lightcontrolsandeasymaneuverability.Effortlesstodriveinthecity
Featuressuchasfeathertouchclimatecontrol,reversingcamera,touchscreenICE,paddleshifters(CVT)&more
Whatyouwon't:
LouddieselengineisnowhereasrefinedastheElitei20's.Doesn'tlikehighrpmseither
1.2Lpetrolhasaweakbottomend.Feelslethargic<2,500rpm
OnroadpremiumfordieselisRs.1.31.5lakhs!That'shigherthanthecompetition
Magicseatsonlyonthetopvariant(earlierJazzhadthemonalltrimlevels)
CVTunavailablewiththeVXtrim!NofullyloadedAutomatic
Skinny175mmtyres.Allcompetitorsofferthickerrubber(Elitei20=195mm)
Missinggoodies(steeringreachadjustment,keylessentry&go,rearairconvents,driverarmrest&properdead
pedal)
FordFigo

Whatyou'lllike:
AstonMartinesquefacelooksverystylish!
Valueformoneypositioning.PricedlowerthantheSwift
Powerful&efficient1.5Ldieselengine.Gooddriveabilitytoo
Compliantridequality.Suspensionistunedforcomfort
Airbagsacrosstherange.Titanium+variantgets6airbags!
Wellpackagedcabinoffersgoodlegroom,lotsoffeaturesandachillingaircon
DualclutchAutomaticwithabigger1.5Lpetrol,ESP,tractioncontrol&hillstartassist
Whatyouwon't:
Commuter1.2Lpetrolisunimpressive.Amediocreengine
OrdinaryhandlingandlighterbuildqualityareadeparturefromtheusualFordcharacteristics
CabinwidthmakestheFigosuitedto4adults,not5
14"rimslooktoopuny.Tyrescouldbewider,especiallyforthefastdiesel
Rearheadroomislimited.Headlinerbrushestheheadsoftallerpassengers
Automaticunavailableinthefullyloadedtrim
Athighwayspeeds,downshiftsaren'tasimmediateasyou'dexpectfromadualclutchautomatic
VolkswagenPolo

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Whatyou'lllike:
AwellbuiltsolidEuropeanhatchback
1.5Ldiesel&1.2LTSIpetrolenginesareverycompetent
Cleanandcontemporarystyling.Absolutelynoquirkiness
Maturesuspensionoffersabalancedride&handlingpackage
Dualairbagseveninthebasevariants!
Accommodating280literboot
Whatyouwon't:
Base3cylinder1.2Lpetrolengineisunimpressive
Mediocrerearbenchlegroomandalargefloorhump
Missingessentials(driverarmrestoftheVento,60:40splittingrearseat,seatbackpockets)
VW'ssubpardealership&serviceexperiences
TataBolt

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Whatyou'lllike:
Buildquality,fitandfinishareonparwithcompetitors.Tatahasmadesignificantimprovementshere
Spaciouswelldesignedinteriors.Ararehatchbackthatcanseat5adultswithoutafuss
Competent1.2Lturbopetrol&1.3Ldiesel.Bothoffergooddriveability
Balancedsuspensionofferssafe&neutralhandling.NiceEPStoo
Lightcontrols&agreeableergonomics.DriveslikenoTatahatchbackhasbefore
Superb8speakerHarmanKardonentertainmentsystemwithnavigation&videoplayback
Features:3drivingmodes(Eco,Sport,City),projectorheadlamps,5"touchscreen,voicecommandsetc.
Whatyouwon't:
Neitherengineoffersstrongoutrightperformance.Botharecommutermotors,nothingelse
Impractical210literbootisamongthesmallestfromthissegment
PricingofsomevariantsistooclosetotheZest(BoltXTvsZestXTdiesel=merely31k)
RidequalityisfirmerthantheZest.Noiseinsulationnotastightasitssiblingeither
AMT(automaticgearbox)&highertune89BHPdieselnotonoffer.Mightfollowlater
Poorincabinstorage&missingniceties(Zest'sDRLs&parkingsensors,deadpedal,heightadjustableseatbelts)
Concernsoverlongtermreliability.Also,Tata'ssubparaftersalesserviceisfarfromthatofMaruti&Hyundai
ToyotaLiva

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Whatyou'lllike:
Aneutralfamilyhatchbackwiththe"T"badge
Spaciousinteriorscaneasilycarry5adults
Superlightcontrols,especiallysteering&shortthrowclutch.Effortlesstodrivewithinthecity
Welltunedsuspension.Safehandlingandflatride
Airbags,ABS&EBDavailableacrosstherange
Toyotasfussfreeownershipexperience&excellentaftersales
Whatyouwon't:
1.2Lpetrollacksbottomend.Dieselhasmerely67BHPontap
Costcuttingglaringlyobviousinmanyareas
Economygradeinteriorquality&unconventionaldashboard
Missingequipment(climatecontrol,heightadjustabledriver'sseatetc.)
Poorinsulation.Engine,suspension&roadnoiseareprominent
MarutiSwift

http://www.teambhp.com/forum/officialnewcarreviews/171209marutibalenoofficialreview.html

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Whatyou'lllike:
Snazzystylingpacksappeal.Interiorsarewelldesignedtoo
Competentenginerange.Veryrefinedmotors
Balancedrideandhandling.Superblytunedsuspension
Terrificfuelefficiency,especiallyfromthediesel
Effortlesstodriveinthecitylotsoffunonthehighway
Marutisexcellentaftersalesservice&widedealernetwork
Whatyouwon't:
Small,impracticalboot.Luggagecapacityisseverelyrestricted
Mediocrebrakes(lowernonABSvariants).Inadequateforemergencybrakingconditions
Looksnearlyidenticaltotheoutgoinggenerationcar
Rearseatspace,thoughimproved,stillisn't"spacious"
PriceyZXi/ZDivariants
LasteditedbyGTO:10thDecember2015at17:24.

(47)Thanks

9thDecember2015,18:30

GTO
TeamBHPSupport

JoinDate:Feb2004
Location:Bombay
Posts:41,541
Thanked:51,498Times
ViewMyGarage

#10
Re:MarutiBaleno:OfficialReview

ThreadmovedfromtheAssemblyLine(The"AssemblyLine"Forumsection)toOfficial
Reviews.Thanksforsharing!
TheBalenosurprised/shockedmeintwoways:
1.Theprice.Asyourightlysaid,Ithoughtit'sgoingtoendupinnoman'sland,whatwithallthe
Nexa+premiumtalkhappening.Onthedayofthelaunch,whenIsawhowcloseit'spositionedto
theSwift,Iwasshocked.HatsofftoMarutiforthesheerVFMpricing.ThedifferencefromtheSwift
isnothinginEMItermsIcan'tseeanyreasonwhyonewouldbuyaSwift(oreventheDzire)over
theBaleno.
2.Secondpleasantsurprisewasthecaritself.ItookitallaroundBombayatnightandmymindwent
'damn,thiscariscompetent'.FirsttheSCross1.6,andnowtheBaleno.Marutiismakingbetter
hatchbacksthaniteverhasbefore.Suzuki'sengineeringstrengthhasgrownbyleaps&boundsinthe
last5years.Indeed,theBalenoisanallrounder.
Thatsaid,theHyundaii20remainsthesegmentbenchmark.Thedifferencebetweenthetopend
Baleno&Elitei20islessthanRs.20,000(basically...nothing).MypickwouldbetheElitei20any
whichdayitfeelsalotmoresubstantial,offerstheinteriorqualityofcarspricedtwiceorthriceas
much,isfarmorerefinedandthediesel(mychoice)isasuperiorengine.Nocontest.
ButIamsurprisedbyhowcloseMarutihascome.
Thesearethetwobighatchbackstobeatinthemarkettoday.Intheirownway,theyhavemoved
thegameahead.CarslikethePolo,Liva,Boltetc.willonlysuffermore.Andwhateverfuture

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hatchbacksarecomingourwayin2016,theyaregoingtohavetoimprovetheiroffering.Icansense
productmanagersofothercompaniesbreakingintoasweat.Foruscustomers,carsliketheElitei20
&Balenomaketheentiresegmentbetter.
Godblesscompetition

LasteditedbyGTO:9thDecember2015at18:32.

(64)Thanks

9thDecember2015,18:38

Crazy_cars_guy
Newbie

JoinDate:Sep2014
Location:Bangalore
Posts:24
Thanked:27Times

#11
Re:MarutiBaleno:OfficialReview

Finally!!!Themuchawaitedreviewishere.Heartfeltthankyouforsuchadetailedreview.
MarutiSuzukihasprovedthatitisnotfarbehindfromgreat,beautifuldesigns.

(2)Thanks

9thDecember2015,18:38

TheDude
BANNED

JoinDate:Nov2015
Location:Trivandrum
Posts:88
Thanked:50Times
Infractions:0/2(8)

#12
Re:MarutiBaleno:OfficialReview

AndfinallyaTBHPreview!AmazingreviewAdityasir(asalways)!Thedetailsandimagesarejust
mindblowing!Keepitup.Another5starratingthread.IamsuretheBalenowillbeahit(already
seeingatonofthem).
Marutihaspackedalmostallthefeaturesthatacarownerwasupdatedbelookingforandcombine
thatwiththe"MarutiSuzuki"brandnameisjustawesome.Marutiisfinallylookinguptothesafety
aspectandisgivingtheairbagsandABSonthebasemodeltoo.Kudostothem!
(1)Thanks

9thDecember2015,18:53

chandrda
BHPian

JoinDate:Apr2009
Location:London
Posts:331
Thanked:373Times

#13
Re:MarutiBaleno:OfficialReview

FinallyFinallythemostawaitedreviewisoutofthebox
Againanexcellentreviewanddefault5starrating.
ThisisonecarIhavebeenwaitingforlongandseriouscontemplatingtobuynextyear.Iamalso
gladthatMarutihasfinallytakenaseriousviewofSafetyandprovidedABSandAirbagsasstandard.
Regards
(1)Thanks

9thDecember2015,19:00

CarLoverJosh
Newbie

JoinDate:Jun2015
Location:Gurgaon
Posts:16
Thanked:11Times

#14
Re:MarutiBaleno:OfficialReview

TheBalenodidntlooktogoodtomewhenifirstsawthepics,itsonlyafterireadthisreviewdoi
feelthatthisisonecompetenthatchback.Mypersonalfavouriteistheelitei20andeversinceihave
beenapassengerinit(mycousinhasit)Ihavebeenamazedbyit.Theinteriorqualityisreallyclose
toourX3whichonlywinsbecauseofthesofttouchmaterialsintheinteriorotherwiseifeltthe
plasticqualityinboththecarswasmoreorlessthesame.IthinkthetwoplaceswheretheBaleno
reallydissapointsisthebuildqualityandthedieselengineandboththesefactorsmightpushbuyers
toconsoderthei20moreseriouslythantheBaleno.Theinteriorqualitytooisnothingtowriteabout.
Unfortunatelyeventheirpremiumhatchbackdoesntfeelsopremium.Formeitsthei20alldaylong.

(1)Thanks

9thDecember2015,19:04

#15

Rajeevraj
SeniorBHPian

JoinDate:Aug2011
Location:Bangalore
Posts:2,407
Thanked:4,155Times

Lovelyreview.Thankyou.Itisquiteamazingastohowtheofficialreviewbringsoutafresh
perspectiveinspiteofallthepagesandpagesofdiscussionthathashappenedbefore.Eagerly
awaitingtheboosterjet.109hpand170nmareprettymuchpolotsinumbers.Andwiththatlowkerb
weight,thepowertoweightratiowillbequiteabitaheadofthetsi.Iftheboosterjetperformanceis
anywhereclosetotheVWtsi,FiatTjetoratleasttheEcoboost,wehaveagoodcandidateforawell
priced,massmarketsemihothatch.Onthedownsidewith9000copiesalreadyfromalimited
network,IassumeMarutiwouldbeinnohurrytobringitin.Thebuildqualityisalittleworrisome
though.
Edit:Bigkudosforthestandardsafetyfeatures.Hyundaiistheonlycompanybehindinthis.Hope
thisforcesthemtomakeabsandairbagsstandardontheelitei20
LasteditedbyRajeevraj:9thDecember2015at19:08.

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