Buying a used Toyota Glanza: What to look out for

GOOD FOR: Spacious cabin, features

LOOK OUT FOR: AMT gearbox health, touchscreen issues

A rebadged version of the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, the Toyota Glanza, is a premium hatch that’s big on space, efficiency and features. It's got everything you’d want and expect from a Maruti hatchback, but with a Toyota badge and a longer warranty. Naturally, this makes it a great contender as a used buy.

The second-gen Toyota Glanza was launched in March 2022, shortly after its Maruti counterpart. While the previous Glanza was set apart from the Baleno only by a different grille and badges, Toyota has ensured better distinction this time around. It uses a Camry-esque grille, a sportier front bumper, different alloys, and headlights with simpler LED graphics. Inside, it gets dual-tone black and beige upholstery instead of the Baleno’s black and blue. The Glanza stands out for its spacious cabin, making it ideal for a family.

Toyota Glanza powertrain and mileage

1.2-litre, naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine

The Glanza is powered by a 90hp, 113Nm, 1.2-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine that is paired with either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT. Toyota also added a CNG version later on, which is powered by the same engine but puts out a lower 77hp and 98.5Nm and comes with the manual only. As for fuel efficiency, the petrol manual is ARAI-rated at 22.35kpl, while the AMT version returns 22.94kpl. The CNG, meanwhile, has a claimed fuel efficiency of 30.61km/kg.

It’s best to opt for the CNG only if you drive a lot and need lower running costs. But do note, this comes at the cost of boot space, taken up by the tank. Otherwise, one of the petrols makes more sense as they’re efficient and will be cheaper to buy. Furthermore, with petrol, you can also opt for the AMT, which will be more convenient.

Toyota Glanza variants and features

4 trim levels on offer

The Glanza is offered in a total of four trims – E, S, G and V. The range-topping Glanza V comes with features like a head-up display (HUD), a 360-degree camera, a 9.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, an Arkamys audio system, auto-dimming IRVM, cruise control, ‘Toyota i-Connect’ connected car tech, auto climate control, auto LED headlamps, 16-inch alloy wheels and 6 airbags. As always, this would be the ideal one to go for, but if you have budget restrictions, even the mid-spec G is well equipped, while the lower S trim has the basics covered. 

A big reason you should choose Toyota over Maruti is the warranty, which is three years/1,00,000km as standard and can be extended to five years/2,20,000km. The Baleno, meanwhile, got a standard 2 years/40,000km warranty. This gives you added peace of mind, and it’s likely that the used car you’ll purchase will still be under warranty. Other than that, spare parts availability won’t be an issue, and they won’t be expensive either, given they are shared with Maruti. It’s worth keeping in mind, however, that Toyota’s service network is not nearly as widespread as Maruti Suzuki’s in our country.

What to look out for in a used Toyota Glanza?

AMT gearbox

Even though AMTs are known to be reliable, it’s best to check the health of the gearbox before you make the purchase. On a test drive, make sure that the car’s creep function is working well, it rolls off the line smoothly, and the shifts (especially downshifts) aren’t jerky.

Touchscreen issues

Although not very common, owners have faced issues with the Glanza’s touchscreen infotainment system. Issues include the screen lagging, freezing and failing to pair with a phone for Android Auto/Apple CarPlay. Before buying, check that the software is up to date and that the screen functions smoothly.

Past recalls

Glanzas produced between December 8, 2022 and January 12, 2023, were subjected to a recall. The airbag control unit was susceptible to failure, which could result in the non-deployment of airbags and seat belt pretensioners in a crash. This part was replaced free of cost, so ensure this has been taken care of if you’re looking at a car from this timeframe.

Second hand Toyota Glanza price, resale value

Being a Toyota and the fact that it’s still on sale mean that Glanza prices in the used market are on the higher side. There are loads of examples for sale, so do some research and you’ll find one at the right price. However, don’t spend over Rs 8 lakh, as then, a brand-new one makes more sense.