New Maruti Baleno vs Old Model – What All Has Changed?

The Indo-Japanese car marque has launched the new Baleno with tons of upgrades, including the powertrain

In this post, we compare the new Maruti Baleno with the old model and check out all that has been altered. Baleno has been the segment leader of the premium hatchback category since its inception. The other notable rivals in this space include the Hyundai i20 and Tata Altroz. Nevertheless, the Baleno has blown the competition out of the water and remains the best-selling premium hatchback by a huge margin. Nevertheless, the largest carmaker in the country has decided to upgrade it to push the envelope even more. Let us delve into the details of all that is new.

New Maruti Baleno vs Old Model – Design

The first aspect one notices is the modified front fascia on the new Maruti Baleno. The grille is now much wider and larger, which gives the new Baleno a distinct identity. Other prominent bits include a redesigned bumper and LED fog lamps. Even the LED DRLs are unique. The other components like the side profile, alloy wheels and tail section remain almost identical to the outgoing model. However, that is not necessarily a negative since the old model had LED taillamps and a sporty bumper. Overall, customers will be able to clearly distinguish between the different versions merely by looking at the front profile.

New Maruti Baleno vs Old Model – Interior and Features

Now, the interior layout of the new Maruti Baleno is similar to the old model. Nevertheless, the auto giant has introduced some key new features to pamper the customers. We know that new-age car buyers want their vehicles with all the bells and whistles. Hence, Maruti Suzuki has equipped the new Baleno with tons of modern amenities. Some of the main highlights are:

• Head-Up Display
• Auto Dimming IRVM
• Electrically Adjustable and Foldable ORVMs
• Suzuki Connect Tech
• Rear Fast Charging Ports
• Wireless Charging Dock with Active Cooling
• 6-speaker Premium Sound System by Clarion (new)
• Onboard Voice Assistant
• Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• 9-inch SmartPlay Pro+ Infotainment Display
• Shark Fin Antenna (new)
• MID TFT Colour Instrument Cluster
• Front Ventilated Seats (new)
• Leatherette Upholstery
• Level 2 ADAS (new)
• 6 Airbags
• ISOFIX Child Seat Anchorages
• ESP with Hill Hold
• 360 View Camera
• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System

New Maruti Baleno vs Old Model – Specs

This is the biggest change in the new Maruti Baleno in contrast to the older version. The latter had a 1.2-litre 4-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine, while the new model comes with the new Z12 3-cylinder NA petrol mill. This is the same mill which debuted with the latest Swift. It generates a healthy 83 PS and 112 Nm of peak power and torque, respectively. Also, there is a CNG iteration of this engine that makes 70 PS and 102 Nm. Performing transmission duties with the petrol version are a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT, while the CNG is solely on offer with the manual gearbox. However, the biggest talking point about a Maruti car is the mileage and the new Baleno doesn’t disappoint. Maruti claims 23.80 km/l with the manual, 24.77 km/l with the AMT and 33.61 km/kg with the CNG. These are class-leading fuel economy figures that draw a lot of customers in.

New Maruti Baleno vs Old Model – Price

The new Maruti Baleno starts at Rs 6.10 lakh and goes up to Rs 10.09 lakh, ex-showroom. These are some pretty enticing prices. On the other hand, the outgoing model used to retail between Rs 5.99 lakh and Rs 9.47 lakh, ex-showroom. Hence, the new Baleno is slightly more expensive but its gets a slew of new amenities to justify that premium. Hence, buyers won’t need to think too much about the increased pricing. I believe, the fact that the new engine is extremely fuel efficient and the cabin gets the latest tech will ensure that the customers will be willing to splurge for the added convenience.

Editor’s Note

Editor’s Note

The Maruti Baleno has already established itself as the benchmark in the premium hatchback segment, and this update is aimed at making an already successful package even stronger. While the exterior and cabin changes are relatively evolutionary, the addition of several modern features significantly improves its appeal against rivals like the Hyundai i20 and Tata Altroz. The switch to the new three-cylinder petrol engine is the more interesting change, particularly given Maruti’s focus on fuel efficiency. If the claimed mileage figures translate well into real-world conditions, the new Baleno could further strengthen its position in this segment. – Yatharth Chauhan, Managing Editor

Also Read: Tata Altroz Facelift vs Maruti Baleno – Which One To Buy?