Maruti Suzuki Baleno Expert Review

The 2026 Maruti Baleno gets a larger grille with three horizontal chrome slats, gloss black detailing, and a radar module in the centre for the new ADAS tech. The bumper design is also new, while the LED headlamps, clamshell bonnet, and the side profile and rear styling are carried over. A new body colour, enigmatic teal green shade, has also been introduced. Overall, the changes are subtle, though the new grille may divide opinion.

The cabin layout remains largely unchanged, but the facelift adds steering-mounted ADAS controls and part-leatherette upholstery, with the seats still mainly finished in fabric and leatherette used on the outer edges. Interior cabin material quality is generally good, though some hard plastics remain over the dashboard and door. The front seats are supportive, while rear-seat headroom, legroom and underthigh support are excellent. Rear AC vents, USB ports, UV-cut glass and a 318-litre boot add to practicality.

The key feature additions include ventilated front seats, a cooled wireless phone charger,tyre pressure monitoring system, a Clarion sound system and segment-first Level 2 ADAS. The top-spec Alpha (O) also gets a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone connectivity, HUD, a 360-degree camera and connected-car tech. Six airbags are standard on the Baleno. On our brief test drive, the ADAS features appeared well calibrated and not overly intrusive. However, the Baleno still misses out on a rear centre armrest and sunroof.

Fuel efficiency improves with the new engine. The petrol-manual is claimed to return 23.80 kmpl, the AMT 24.77 kmpl, and the CNG version 33.61km/kg. These figures represent useful gains over the outgoing model despite the facelift being up to 30kg heavier.

The biggest mechanical change is the new 1.2-litre three-cylinder Z-series petrol engine, producing 83 hp and 112 Nm. The Z12E engine is refined and quiet, with good response and drivability at low rpm, though it feels less peppy and not as strong at high rpm when compared to the older four-cylinder engine. The 5-speed manual is smooth and effortless, while the AMT is convenient but still has noticeable head-nod between shifts and can hesitate during quick overtakes. A CNG with manual gearbox powertrain is also available with 70 hp and 102 Nm.

Ride comfort remains one of the Baleno’s strengths, with a soft suspension setup that handles low-speed bumps and road imperfections well. It stays composed at higher speeds and displays good body control through corners. The steering is light in the city and gains reassuring weight with speed, while braking performance is more than adequate.

The Baleno facelift starts at Rs 5.99 lakh. Its strengths remain a spacious and comfortable cabin, easy drivability, refined engine, good ride quality and improved efficiency. The added comfort and safety features further strengthen its appeal, despite the less energetic engine and AMT limitations.