I am confused between the Baleno and the Dzire. We are a family of three (two adults and one child). Our usage will be mostly in the city with occasional trips 2-3 times a year, and the average running will be about 500 km per month. The cost difference between the Dzire and the Baleno is not large. We are considering the top variant with a 360-degree camera. Please help us choose between these two and suggest if there is any other better option available within an ₹11 lakh budget.

Autocar India

•6w

Considering your city usage and no mention of any preference for body style between the two, we would suggest going for the Maruti Suzuki Baleno as compared to the Dzire. Both cars are spacious and have a comfortable ride quality and are similar in terms of interior quality.

But the Baleno has two key advantages. The boot space is more usable thanks to it being a hatchbcak and you can also fold the rear seat for added luggage space, which makes it more practical when you need to carry long items or want extra luggage space.

The Baleno also uses the older 1.2 litre dual jet four cylinder engine, which is smoother and more powerful than the new 1.2 litre three cylinder engine on the Dzire. If you are looking for an automatic, the AMT gearbox also works better on the Baleno.

As an alternative, you could also consider getting the Maruti Suzuki Fronx. It is slightly more expensive but gives you a more SUV-like stance with better ground clearance and added road presence, while still being easy to drive in the city.

Explore cars mentioned

Maruti Suzuki

Baleno

from ₹6.65 Lakh

Maruti Suzuki

Dzire

from ₹7.13 Lakh

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Latest questions people are discussing

Anirban

•3d

My driving is around 800 km a month. I am not sure which one would be more value for money: Swift or Baleno/Glanza. Currently, I drive an Urban Cruiser but am looking for a change. My priority is ease of city driving, comfort on highway drives, and I will go for an AMT. The more fuel-efficient and safe, the better. Though safety and efficiency do not go hand in hand. Please help me decide.

Autocar India

•20h

The Swift's 1.2L 3-cylinder petrol engine is very drivable and is likely to deliver slightly better fuel efficiency compared to the Baleno's/Glanza's 1.2L 4-cylinder unit. The Maruti Suzuki Swift is quite peppy up to 60kph of speed, after which you will find performance to be a bit lacklustre. And since you've mentioned you want a car for city and highway usage both, we recommend you opt for the Baleno or Glanza instead, for its more effortless performance.There's little to choose between the Baleno and Toyota Glanza, as both are nearly identical. Though the Glanza's beige-black interior colour scheme looks a touch more upmarket than the Maruti's.

Debasish

I am new to car driving and have a budget of under ₹10 lakh. My priorities are good mileage, safety, low maintenance, comfort, and an automatic transmission. My usage will be 50% city and 50% highway, with a monthly running of around 1,000-1,400 km. Kindly suggest a suitable car.

Autocar India

•2d

We would recommend you look at the Nissan Magnite. Since you are new to driving, the higher seating would offer you a good view outside and a slightly more secure feel compared to hatchbacks or a sedan. The interiors are comfy and spacious enough for a family of four, and since your driving is on highways and city roads, the ride and handling balance of the Magnite will benefit you. Highway stability is good, and while the city ride can be firm, it does not feel uncomfortable at any point. Opt for the 1.0 litre non-turbo engine as it offers sufficient performance for a relaxed driving style and would be more fuel efficient than the turbo engine. Within your budget, you would also get a decently equipped variant. The Magnite is also a safe car well-equipped with safety features, and it also scored a 5-star rating in the GNCAP tests. Reliability is also good, Nissan's dealer network is not widespread, thus make sure you have a dealer in your area who has a good reputation too. If not, consider the Maruti Suzuki Dzire, as a sedan, you will not get that higher seating, but it will meet your other requirements of safety, low maintenance and comfort.

Nissan Magnite

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

Jithin

•2d

I am looking to buy my first car. I am currently looking at the Kia Sonet Diesel Automatic 1.5, which comes at ₹16.25 lakh and the Skoda Slavia Sportline Auto at ₹17 lakh. My main usage would be travelling between Kochi and Bangalore and occasional city drives in and around both cities. I had a Ford Figo 1.5 TDCi earlier, which I loved and would prefer something with a similar driving punch. Which would be an apt choice?

Autocar India

•12h

Since a large part of your driving will be on the Kochi-Bengaluru highway and you enjoyed the performance of your old Ford Figo 1.5 TDCi, choosing a car with strong performance and relaxed cruising ability will make your drives more enjoyable.Between the two, you will likely be happier with the Skoda Slavia 1.5 TSI with the 7-speed DSG. It offers superior performance and refinement compared to the Kia Sonet diesel automatic, especially for highway usage. The Slavia’s turbo-petrol engine delivers effortless acceleration, and the DSG gearbox shifts quickly and smoothly, which makes overtaking and long-distance cruising feel easy.Another advantage is that the 1.5-litre engine features cylinder deactivation, which shuts down two cylinders under light loads such as steady cruising. This helps improve fuel efficiency when driving on the highway. The Slavia also feels more planted and stable at higher speeds, which will be noticeable on your frequent intercity drives.However, we would recommend waiting a little before making the purchase. The Slavia facelift is expected soon, and with it around the corner, it makes sense to see what updates and features the refreshed model brings before committing to the current version.

Skoda Slavia

Kia Sonet

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