2026 Maruti Baleno vs rivals: Price, specifications compared

By Dhruv Dhaka
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The bestselling premium hatchback just got an upgrade. How does it fare against its rivals?

Maruti Suzuki has updated the Baleno for 2026, with changes to its powertrain, styling and equipment. It continues to compete with the Hyundai i20, Tata Altroz and Toyota Glanza in the premium hatchback segment. Here’s how the four compare in dimensions, specifications, features and prices.

2026 Maruti Baleno vs rivals: Dimensions

i20 has the longest wheelbase; Altroz has the biggest boot

DimensionsMaruti BalenoHyundai i20Tata AltrozToyota Glanza
Length3,990mm3,995mm3,990mm3,990mm
Width1,745mm1,775mm1,755mm1,745mm
Height1,530mm1,505mm1,523mm1,500mm
Wheelbase2,520mm2,580mm2,501mm2,520mm
Boot space318 litres311 litres345 litres318 litres

The i20 is the longest and widest of the four and also has the longest wheelbase, while the Altroz has the largest boot at 345 litres, though with CNG it falls to 210 litres. Being badge-engineered siblings, the Baleno and Glanza share identical length, width and wheelbase figures, but the new Baleno is 30mm taller. The Baleno also has a larger boot than the i20 despite being slightly shorter overall.

2026 Maruti Baleno vs rivals: Engine specifications

Altroz offers the widest choice of powertrains

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Engine specificationsMaruti BalenoHyundai i20Tata AltrozToyota Glanza
Engine*1.2P | 1.2C1.2P1.2P | 1.2C | 1.5D 1.2P | 1.2C
No. of cylinders 3 | 3 43 | 3 | 44 | 4 
Power (hp)83 | 7083 (MT), 88 (IVT)88 | 74 | 9090 | 77
Torque (Nm)112 | 102114.7115 | 103 | 200113 | 98.5
Transmission5MT, 5AMT | 5MT5MT, IVT5MT, 5AMT, 6DCT | 5MT, 5AMT | 5MT5MT, 5AMT | 5MT

*P = Naturally aspirated petrol, C = CNG, D = Diesel

The Altroz offers the widest choice of powertrains, with petrol, CNG and diesel options, making it the only hatchback in India to offer a diesel engine. Meanwhile, the Baleno and Glanza are available with both petrol and CNG, while the i20 is offered only with petrol. The Baleno and Altroz use three-cylinder petrol engines, whereas the i20 and Glanza use four-cylinder units. 

The Glanza’s petrol and Altroz’s diesel engines make the most power at 90hp, while the Altroz diesel has the highest torque at 200Nm. For automatics, the Baleno and Glanza get AMTs, the i20 gets an IVT, and the Altroz offers both AMT and dual-clutch automatic options.

2026 Maruti Baleno vs rivals: Features

Baleno is the only one in the segment to offer ventilated front seats

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FeaturesMaruti BalenoHyundai i20Tata AltrozToyota Glanza
Head-up displayYesNoNoYes
Ventilated front seatsYesNoNoNo
360-degree cameraYesNoYesYes
Wireless chargerYes, cooledYesYesNo
SunroofNoYesYesNo
Touchscreen9-inch10.25-inch10.25-inch9-inch
Instrument clusterAnalog + MID displayTFT display10.25-inch digital Analog + MID display
Android Auto/Apple CarPlayWirelessWirelessWirelessWireless
Automatic climate controlYesYesYesYes
Rear AC ventsYesYesYesYes
Cruise controlYes, adaptiveYesYesYes
Connected car technologyYesYesYesYes
Auto-folding ORVMsYesYesYes
Push-button start/stopYesYesYesYes
Rear USB chargingYesYesYesYes
Premium audio systemClarion, 4-speakersBose, 7-speakerAudioWorXNo

The four hatchbacks offer a broadly similar level of equipment, but there are some notable differences. Both the Baleno and Glanza get a head-up display, while the Baleno stands out with ventilated front seats. The i20 and Altroz get larger 10.25-inch infotainment screens, compared with the 9-inch units in the Baleno and Glanza. All four get automatic climate control, rear AC vents, cruise control and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

The Baleno also gets a cooled wireless charger and a 360-degree camera, while the i20 and Altroz offer sunroofs. Both the Altroz and i20 get 10.25-inch digital instrument displays, although the Altroz uses an LED display, and the i20 gets a TFT unit. The Baleno and Glanza, meanwhile, use analogue dials with an MID. Overall, the four offer plenty of equipment, but buyers will have to decide whether they value features such as ventilated seats and a head-up display or a larger screen and sunroof more.

2026 Maruti Baleno vs rivals: Safety

Baleno brings Level 2 ADAS to the segment

Safety featuresMaruti BalenoHyundai i20Tata AltrozToyota Glanza
Level 2 ADASYesNoNoNo
Airbags6666
TPMSYesYesYesNo
Electronic stability controlYesYesYesYes
Hill-hold assistYesYesYesYes
ABS with EBDYesYesYesYes
ISOFIX mountsYesYesYesYes

All four cars get six airbags, electronic stability control, hill-hold assist, ABS with EBD and ISOFIX mounts as standard, making the core safety equipment broadly similar. The Baleno, however, has a clear advantage with Level 2 ADAS, which adds features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning and automatic emergency braking. The system is offered on the top-spec Alpha (O) trim. TPMS is also available on the Baleno, i20 and Altroz, but not on the Glanza. With the addition of ADAS, the Baleno has the most advanced active-safety package of these four hatchbacks on paper.

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2026 Maruti Baleno vs rivals: Price

Baleno starts between the i20 and Altroz

 Price (ex-showroom), Rs lakhs
Maruti Baleno6.10 - Not disclosed
Hyundai i206 - 10.63
Tata Altroz6.30 - 10.51 
Toyota Glanza6.73 - 9.99

At Rs 6.10 lakh, the Baleno’s starting price sits between the Hyundai i20 and Tata Altroz, while it undercuts the Toyota Glanza by Rs 63,000. Maruti Suzuki has not yet revealed the prices of the Baleno’s higher variants, so a complete price comparison with its rivals is not possible yet.

It remains to be seen how competitively the Baleno is priced at the higher end of the range and how much value it offers for the additional equipment available over its rivals.

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