Maruti gave the Baleno a mid-life facelift this September, and the headline change is under the bonnet: the old four-cylinder 1.2-litre engine is gone, replaced by the newer three-cylinder Z12E that already powers the Swift and Dzire. The car also gets a new top variant, the Alpha (O), with features that used to live a segment higher. Here is the complete picture, with every number checked against the manufacturer's claims and published variant listings.
Engine, Gearbox and Mileage
The petrol Baleno uses a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder naturally aspirated engine rated at about 83 hp and 112 Nm. That is slightly less than the engine it replaces (roughly 7 hp and 1 Nm down), but Maruti's trade-off is efficiency. You can choose a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT, and there is a factory CNG version that makes about 70 hp and 102 Nm.
| Version | Claimed efficiency | Power / Torque |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol manual | 23.80 kpl | 83 hp / 112 Nm |
| Petrol AMT | 24.77 kpl | 83 hp / 112 Nm |
| CNG manual | 33.61 km/kg | 70 hp / 102 Nm |
Claimed figures come from a test cycle, so expect roughly 18 to 21 kpl in mixed Indian driving for the petrol and a little under 30 km/kg for CNG. The engine is built for relaxed city use, not quick overtaking; if you regularly carry a full load on highways, drive one before you buy.
Dimensions and Practicality
| Dimension | Value |
|---|---|
| Length | 3,990 mm |
| Width | 1,745 mm |
| Height | 1,530 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,520 mm |
| Boot space | 318 litres |
| Fuel tank | 37 litres |
| Kerb weight | 965 to 990 kg |
| Turning radius | 4.85 m |
| Tyres | 195/55 R16 alloys |
The Baleno is a tall-boy hatchback, so cabin space is better than its footprint suggests. A 318-litre boot swallows a weekend's luggage for four, though the CNG version loses some of that space to its tank.
Variants and Prices
Ex-showroom prices below are Delhi figures from the launch price list. Maruti's website currently lists the base Sigma at Rs 5.99 lakh, a little under the Rs 6.10 lakh quoted on launch day, so check the official page for the latest number.
| Variant | Petrol manual | Petrol AMT | CNG manual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sigma | Rs 5.99 lakh | - | - |
| Delta | Rs 7.00 lakh | Rs 7.50 lakh | Rs 7.92 lakh |
| Zeta | Rs 8.00 lakh | Rs 8.50 lakh | Rs 8.92 lakh |
| Alpha | Rs 9.10 lakh | Rs 9.60 lakh | - |
| Alpha (O) | Rs 9.50 lakh | Rs 9.99 lakh | - |
Two patterns stand out. The AMT adds roughly Rs 50,000 over the manual, and the CNG kit adds about Rs 92,000. At typical city running of 1,200 km a month, that extra CNG money is usually recovered in under three years.
The Delta is where most buyers should look: it adds the features you will actually use (touchscreen, steering controls, rear AC vents) without the Rs 1 lakh jump to Alpha. Pick Alpha (O) only if you want the driver-assist hardware.
Features
- Infotainment: 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- Comfort: push-button start, rear AC vents, steering-mounted controls, cruise control and automatic climate control on higher variants
- Top variants: head-up display, 360-degree camera and ventilated front seats
- Alpha (O): reportedly the only variant with Level 2 ADAS (adaptive cruise and lane assist)
- Sound: a four-speaker setup, with wireless phone charging on some trims
Safety
Maruti lists six airbags, ABS with EBD, brake assist, electronic stability control, hill hold, ISOFIX mounts and rear parking sensors, though the airbag count may differ on the lowest variants, so confirm it on the variant you choose. Published sources disagree on the car's Bharat NCAP star rating, so we are not quoting one here; check the Bharat NCAP website for the exact model and year before relying on a number.
How It Is Selling
The Baleno topped the sales chart in September, the month of the facelift, and then slipped to fourth place in October with 20,919 units, a fall of 17.62 percent on the month but still 23.98 percent higher than October last year. That is a healthy result for a hatchback in a market that is moving towards SUVs.
Verdict
The facelifted Baleno is a sensible, efficient hatchback with a roomy cabin and a big feature list for the money. Its weak spot is outright power, so it suits city commuters and small families better than highway-heavy owners. The Delta manual or Delta CNG is the value pick.