2026 Maruti Baleno vs rivals: Price, specifications compared

Maruti Suzuki 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

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 it falls to 210 litres with CNG. Being badge-engineered siblings, the Baleno and Glanza share identical length, width and wheelbase figures. 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

*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, Glanza and Altroz use three-cylinder petrol engines, whereas the i20 uses four-cylinder units. 

The Altroz’s diesel engine is the most powerful, developing 90hp, and also the torquiest with 200Nm on tap. As 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 and Glanza offer ventilated front seats, head-up display but no sunroof

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 and ventilated front seats. The i20 and Altroz have larger 10.25-inch infotainment screens compared with the 9-inch units in the Baleno and Glanza. All four feature automatic climate control, rear AC vents, cruise control and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

The Baleno and Glanza also get 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 unit, and the i20 gets a TFT one. 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

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 and Glanza, however, have 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 trims. With the addition of ADAS, the Baleno and Glanza have the most advanced active-safety package of these four hatchbacks on paper.

2026 Maruti Baleno vs rivals: Price

Baleno is priced most competitively

At Rs 5.99 lakh, the Baleno has the lowest starting price here, undercutting the Hyundai i20 by Rs 1,000, the Tata Altroz by Rs 31,000 and the Glanza by Rs 1 lakh. Its Rs 9.99 lakh top-spec price is Rs 99,000 lower than the Glanza’s, Rs 52,000 lower than the Altroz’s and Rs 64,000 lower than the i20’s.

On paper, the Baleno is competitively positioned, particularly at the top end, where it offers features such as Level 2 ADAS, ventilated front seats and a head-up display.