The Maruti Suzuki Baleno has been a given a mid-life update after four years of its existence. It gets a new face, new wheels, updated interiors and more standard safety features. Priced between Rs 5.45 lakh to Rs 8.77 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), the 2019 Baleno facelift is available in a choice of four variants - Sigma, Delta, Zeta and Alpha. It continues to be offered with the choice of a 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.3-litre diesel engine. While a 5-speed manual gearbox is standard across the range, the petrol-powered version can also be had with a CVT. So which engine-variant combination makes sense for you? Before we find that out, check out the new colour options and safety kit below:
Colour Options
Nexa Blue
Phoenix Red
Autumn Orange
Premium Silver
Magma Grey
Arctic White
Standard Safety Kit
Dual front airbags
ABS with EBD
Seatbelt with pretensioner and load limiters
ISOFIX child seat anchors
Rear parking sensors
Seatbelt reminder
High speed warning
Maruti Baleno Sigma: Very basic; doesn't cut it.
Exteriors: Body-coloured door handles, ORVMs, bumper, boot spoiler, halogen headlamps and LED tail lamps, and 15-inch steel wheels.
Interiors: Adjustablefront headrest.
Convenience: Front power windows, tilt-adjustable steering wheel, manual AC, front and rear accessory socket.
Audio: NA
Is it worth buying?
While the Baleno’s base variant is packs all the essential safety kit, it misses out on several necessities that you expect on a premium hatchback. Moreover, rear passengers don’t get adjustable headrests or power windows either. But while it lacks features, it makes for the perfect variant if your budget doesn’t allow for a better equipped variant. What’s more, you can always get the audio unit and rear power windows fitted from the aftermarket. For our recommended variant, keep on reading.
Maruti Baleno Delta: Meets most needs. Apt for Baleno buyers on a tight budget
Exteriors: Chrome accent on front grille, power-folding ORVMs with integrated turn indicators, full wheel cover, and LED projector headlamps with guide lights.
Interiors: Metal-finished door handles, adjustable rear headrests, and parking brake.
Convenience: Keyless entry, rear power windows, auto up/down driver window, climate control and 60:40 rear split.
Safety: Anti-pinch driver power window, rear washer, wiper and defogger.
Audio: 2-DIN audio system with Bluetooth, USB and AUX connectivity with steering-mounted controls.
Is it worth buying?
This is the variant to go for if you do not plan on stretching your budget too far. It feels premium inside-out and also packs all the feel-good features you expect from a premium hatchback. The extra equipment commands a premium of Rs 71,000, which seems worth it and makes this our variant of choice. The only miss here is a touchscreen infotainment system and height-adjustable driver seat, both which are standard from the next variant onwards. If you want the convenience of a CVT, then you’ll have to spare an extra Rs 1.32 lakh over the manual variant.
Maruti Baleno Zeta: Covers all aspects. Well, almost.
Exteriors: Chrome door handles and bigger 16-inch alloy wheels.
Interiors: Glovebox, front footwell and luggage bay illumination, auto-dimming IRVM, TFT multi-info display (MID) in the instrument cluster.
Convenience: Height-adjustable driver seat, front-centre armrest with storage bin, push-button start/stop, and telescopic steering wheel.
Safety: Fog lamps.
Audio: 7-inch SmartPlay Studio touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, voice command, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and remote control.
Is it worth buying?
This variant sees quite a jump up in the features department, which make it a more upmarket offering. Apart from the fog lamps and auto-dimming IRVM, all the features are want based. If you are too tall or too short, then you might require the height-adjustable driver seat which is only available from this variant onwards. And if that touchscreen was on your shopping list, this is the least expensive variant that gets the new Harman-derived SmartPlay Studio unit.
Maruti Baleno Alpha: Feature-loaded but overpriced
Exteriors: Auto LED projector headlamps with DRLs, differently designed LED rear tail lamps and UV Cut glass.
Interiors: Leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Safety: Rear parking camera.
Convenience: NA
Is it worth buying?
The Alpha variant gets a few novelty features in addition to a rear parking camera, which in our opinion should have been available from the Zeta variant itself. And the premium of Rs 61,000 is not even justified by the extra equipment. If it was even Rs 30,000 to Rs 35,000 more expensive, then we could have recommended this to owners who were eyeing the Zeta variant to start with.
For now, we recommend the Delta variant for buyers on a tight budget and the Zeta for those looking for a more premium experience.
Source: cardekho.com
