Maruti Suzuki has been very successful with its small car range despite the market being favouring SUVs. The carmaker has also been updating the range frequently and now the Baleno gets a refresh with many new features and a new engine being added. Here are our review of the manual and the AMT variants of the new Baleno showcasing what has changed.
Prices and variants
The Baleno prices have not been increased with the base variant starting from as low as 5.99 lakh while the top-end model is Rs 9.99 lakh. The new Baleno comes in Sigma, Delta, Zeta and Alpha plus Alpha (O). The AMT version is priced Rs 50,000 more than the manual and the CNG version which is available in manual is priced at Rs 92,000 more.
Maruti Baleno On-Road Price in Bangalore (2026) | GaadiKey
Exteriors
The new Baleno retains the basic look but Maruti Suzuki has given the premium hatchback an all-new grille which is bigger in size while the S logo now is above the grille. The headlamps and DRLs remain the same as do the alloy wheels while the rear styling too remain the same. Maruti Suzuki has introduced a new colour called Enigmatic Teal Green. The new grille looks big though and adds to the looks while it misses out on the earlier Baleno’s more sober looks but this grabs more attention. Paint finish is impressive.
Interiors
Maruti Suzuki has done more changes on the inside with a new leatherette upholstery while the doors plus the seat edges have a soft touch finish which feels premium. There is blue and black being used which makes it more premium than a Swift. The touchscreen and the infotainment remain the same but Maruti Suzuki has now given the Baleno more features like ventilated seats which cool your back very quickly along with a Clarion audio system which sounds nice plus Level 2 ADAS. There is also a wireless charger with a cooling function which cools your smartphone when charging. Other features like 6 airbags, 360-degree camera and a heads-up display remain.
The L2 ADAS brings auto high beam, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist and more. The Baleno does not get a sunroof like the Altroz though and the rear seat misses out on an armrest. But space is generous and three can sit while it is a comfortable four-seater. The boot space remains at 318l. Safety rating is yet to be revealed of the new model but the earlier one had a 4 star BNCAP rating.
Driving experience
The Baleno now gets a new Z Series three-cylinder petrol engine with 82 bhp and Nm. This is down on the power output of the older model with a four cylinder. That said, the engine is smooth at start and has barely any vibrations. Driving also shows the tractable nature of the engine in terms of the low-end torque which makes driving less stressful.
The AMT is smooth at low speeds as well while the 5-speed manual offers a sporty blend of a nice shift plus a clutch which is easy to modulate. Out on the city, you will like the way the engine drives while at higher speeds, the old engine’s top-end is missed a bit but owners wont mind. Fuel efficiency has also climbed up for the AMT at 24.8 kmpl while the manual is not behind too at 23.8 kmpl. The ride quality and suspension both take on the worst of our roads and the ground clearance of 170mm also makes it fairly practical. Handing is stable but it is more of a family car rather than a hot hatch. The ADAS functions well on smooth roads and you can drive it with being turned on but some functions need to be customised every time you drive it.
GaadiKey Verdict
The new Baleno is a big improvement with its fuel efficiency, smooth engine and extra premium features. Yes, the new Baleno does not have the 4-cylinder performance and it still misses out on some features or a CNG automatic but overall, it is easily the most value for money premium hatchback with its new looks and frugal manners. We recommend the AMT for city use else the manual gearbox is more satisfying to drive.
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Maruti Baleno On-Road Price in Bangalore (2026) | GaadiKey
