If you're tempted to buy the popular Suzuki Baleno, what should you know about it? If you have doubts, these three things will sway you toward the nearest Suzuki showroom. Before you start searching AutoTrader for a new or used Baleno, move on your current car fast by using Instant Offer!
1. It's highly fuel-efficient
Thanks to the Baleno's lightweight construction and an efficient 1.5-litre, naturally aspirated engine with 77kW and 138 Nm, it won't break the bank at the pumps, using under 6.0 L/100 km. This makes the Baleno ideal for city commutes and road trips, and I used this model as an example when working out my car's fuel consumption.
The Baleno is fitted with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic gearbox; the manual is our first choice, but the 4-speed auto isn't bad if you can't stand swapping cogs yourself. The manual model is slightly more economical.
2. Its interior is spacious and comfortable
Whether sitting up front or lounging at the rear, rest assured that you and your family will have enough legroom, and the boot is a good size, too. Comfort features are generous in both the GL and GLX models, featuring a central touchscreen that is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto enabled, along with corresponding steering wheel buttons for hands-free communication and control. The GLX has a few more features that we'll explore in no 3. below.
Comfort features in the GL models include climate control, cruise control, 3 USB ports, electric windows in the front and rear, electrically adjustable (and retractable) side mirrors, a front armrest with a storage compartment, and a split and folding rear seat.
This is what the Baleno's warranty covers.
3. It's a great value proposition
The Baleno offers a good balance of affordability and features, making it a sensible choice for those looking to scale down or people who don't want to spend big bucks on a large family vehicle but still want a comfortable, modern, feature-filled car. (Here are estimated monthly repayments.)
Safety features across the board include ABS, EBD, hill-start assist, stability control, Bluetooth, the aforementioned smartphone mirroring on the central touchscreen, child locks, Isofix, headlamp levelling, front fog lamps, side indicators in the mirror housings, PDC (park distance control) in the rear, and a rearview camera. GL models have 2 front airbags.
Top-spec GLX models have 6 airbags, a head-up display, rear privacy glass, daytime running lamps, automatic LED projector headlamps, and a surround-view camera. For all the specs on the Baleno, visit the website here.
Buying used? Read a review of the 2017 Baleno and the review of the 2021 Baleno.
Did you know?
The Toyota Starlet is the Baleno's mechanical twin, and used models are affordable! Read our launch report of the 2022 Starlet here.
