Built-to-last Baleno packs a value punch

Road test - Suzuki Baleno 1.4 GLX MT

 By Ané Theron

Cars have become ridiculously expensive. A colleague remarked that finding a decently-sized and well-specified new car under 300K, is no easy feat. Is he right?

The Suzuki Baleno spent a week with my family and I recently. Priced at a pocket-friendly R229 900, I was not expecting much, especially where safety is concerned. Two airbags, ABS, EBD, maybe?  My number one worry is a car’s safety equipment - I’ve climbed out of one or two car wrecks in my lifetime. I am also not keen on my kids joining me on lengthy trips in cars with meagre life-saving spec.

A quick look online proved that my assumption was indeed wrong: The 1.4 GLX-variant comes standard with front, side, and curtain airbags (6 in total), as well as ABS, EBA and brake assist. Strangely, the EuroNCAP safety rating is not as good as I had hoped: Overseas models get some more safety spec and a four-star rating, while our local GLX-model I tested gets a 3. You can view it here.

Cabin and interior space

The most remarkable thing about the Baleno is how Suzuki managed to keep it so light, yet create so much room inside it. In this price range, the ample elbow- and legroom for the people on the rear bench is almost unheard of. Scooting into the back behind ‘myself’ in the driver’s seat,there was a good chunk of empty air between my kneecaps and the seatbacks. As for the large boot, its 355 litres compares well with some big names in the segment above, such as the Toyota Auris 1.3 X (R271 000) with 360 litres and the Hyundai i30 1.6 Premium with 378 litres (R 339 900).

The cabin itself is a no-nonsense, practical and solidly-built affair. My only real gripe was with the rather unintuitive touch-screen system. Neither this one nor the radio unit in the Suzuki Ignis was easy to use. Eventually I avoided using the system altogether, except for listening to KFM radio and the odd CD/MP3. I plugged in a USB memory stick once or twice but I did not bother with the Bluetooth again after schlepping to connect it to my phone. A 12V socket is also standard in the front and rear.

Other notable standard features

The spec war is on, and the Japanese are known for their generosity. Curiously, the much more affordable Suzuki Baleno 1.4 GLX is much better-equipped than the above mentioned Auris 1.3 X, which doesn’t have fog lamps, 6 airbags (it has 4), daytime running lamps or a touch screen system. And that pesky EuroNCAP test score? Only the score for the 1.6 mid-range Auris is available, which attained a top score of 5 stars.

The GLX-variant’s other nice-to-haves include a leather-covered steering wheel with satellite controls, climate control and a push-to-start button.

Driving the Baleno

As bad as the infotainment system is, driving the car itself is a way different story. You wouldn’t expect such sprightliness from a 1.4-litre engine sans turbo, no would you? But it’s an enthusiastic little powerplant and the Baleno’s brilliant power-to-weight ratio is largely responsible. The Baleno weighs in at a mere 915kg!

Suzuki says the torsional rigidity (stiffness) of the Baleno is responsible for its sharp handling, and you wouldn’t think so by looking at it, but it does feel dynamic. The steering is light but very direct. The Baleno’s body does not lean in the corners and relishes having its nose thrown into curves of rather sharpish angles. Yep, I was just as flabbergasted as its everyday rubber just kept on gripping as I took a fast corner. Who knew? And its lightweight construction keeps fuel usage to the minimum. Drive normally and you won’t easily see the trip computer’s numbers creeping over 6 litres per 100km - I was on 5.8 all week.

A car to consider?

The Baleno GLX offers almost unbeatable value - compared to its competitors in the segment it is bound to make waves with all its mod cons and the liberal amounts of space, especially. Light on its feet, fun to drive and ultra-light on petrol, you’d be silly not to put the Baleno very near (if not at the top) of your short list.

The numbers (don’t lie)

Name: Suzuki Baleno 1.4 GLX MT

Price: R 229 900

Engine: 1.4-litre,  naturally aspirated, four-cylinder

Transmission: 5-speed manual

Power: 68 kW

Torque:  130 Nm

Seats: 5 persons, with ease (middle rear passenger has a 3-point seatbelt)

Fuel tank: 37 litres

Realistic fuel consumption:  a fantastic 5.8 l/100km

Luggage Volume: 355 litres

Warranty: 3-year/100 000 km

Service Plan: 4-year/60 000 km

Also consider: Renault Sandero Stepway, Toyota Auris

Want to know more? Click here to watch our Baleno video review.