Maruti Baleno Facelift 2022- Equipped Hatch

– By Sohan Ingole

Introduction-

Evolution is the key to live life longer and we have to accept that change also, well that’s a natures rule. Like that Maruti launched the updated model of most selling hatchback car in its lineup and that’s only one, the Baleno. In 2015 Maruti launched its first generation in India, in over 6 years it totally bangs the market and sold in great numbers even now also. Using that trump card, Maruti Suzuki launched its second generations facelift in India.

That’s a evolutionary update which makes the Baleno more attractive and striking in its segment. In this update major changes are cosmetics but the only mechanical difference is that missing hybrid motor which is available in the previous one. This updated Baleno sold in 7 variants which is typical NEXA style names- sigma, delta, zeta and apha.

Engine and Performance-

Under its engine bay we got 1.2 litre naturally aspirated petrol motor which is the same K series with dual jet, two injector as per cylinder unit which we already seen in Swift and Dzire. Gearbox options are also same we got 5 speed manual or 5 speed AT, earlier Baleno is coming with a CVT gearbox but now they replaced it with a AT. This 1.2 naturally aspirated motor produces 88 hp of power with redlines at between 5000Rpm to 6200Rpm and 113Nm of torque with redlines at 4400Rpm.

And the result is it goes 0 to 100kmph in 12.5 seconds, the performance is peppy and refined. From this naturally aspirated motor we got very linear and smooth results, the midrange is absolutely flat we don’t get that grunt from the midrange but the top end is very punchy. In the top end of the raverange it absolutely lunges and even making quick overtakes we have to downshift and then we can overtake easily. And cause the gearing is very tall, well it can reach 97 Kmph in just second gear. Talking about the fuel economy, claimed efficiency is 23KMPL but it totally depends on our driving style, on road Baleno can easily give you 15+ kmpl fuel efficiency. It’s a refined and peppy motor but still it misses out that diesel torque rush, when we start to go 0 to 100 Kmph it feels dull in the starting of the rave range but when we starts to reach redlines it takes pace and that’s why the grunt or pace is in the top end of the rave range. The ride quality is ample, it can easily go through bad road or even some extremely big potholes, the suspension is on the softer side that’s why on the big highway’s or on the expansion joints of bridge it likes to jump. The fuel tank capacity is just 37 litres and sometimes it is on lower side, maybe it can be not sufficient for long runs, but it will make the job done. Maruti Suzuki is also planning to bring its CNG variant in the market in coming months, that will really helps Indian car buyers. Well overall the performance is very linear and also has that grunt, still we need more engine options and the diesel will really make the job done. It’s rivals are offering turbocharged motor but still Maruti believes on its naturally aspirated engines.

Exterior-

The 2022 Baleno is 3990mm long, 1745mm wide and 1500mm tall, this new version is smaller by 5mm in length and 10mm in height. This may cause to improve aero efficiency of the vehicle and Maruti claims that this is 6% more aero efficient than earlier one. But reducing its height and length may effect on its boot and made the boot space even smaller than previous one.

Well starting from front we get clamshell hood with black grill which is surrounded by the chrome. The front grill’s design is revised now and we get a camera on it because it comes with 360 degree camera which is first in the segment feature. The headlight unit is kind of new, we get new drl setup which is a three peace unit and it will remain same in all the nexa trims which is coming in future. The indicators are halogen but we get led projectors in main light and fog lights. Bumper is also revised and comes with some chrome finishing around its fog lamps,

the front of the vehicle is kind of evolution of old design and might remind you the earlier Baleno. Vehicle is running on 16 inch alloys which is also revised and got both front disc brakes. We get lots of chrome work on the body like on door handles, window line. Flagship colour of the all nexa models are blue so this chrome treatment looks more premium on dark colour themes. The ORVM is electrically adjustable with retractable function also and now it also gets camera on it, thanks to the 360 degree camera function. On its roof we have a simple antenna and a roof spoiler with brake lamp in it, still it misses a shark fin antenna and a sunroof which is now common feature in each car but not getting in any Maruti car.

From side it looks same as the before means they only revised the alloys but all of the things are same as the earlier Baleno. The rear part also shows some foot prints of earlier model, firstly we got C shaped led taillights with halogen indicators. The bumper is also new here with reflectors and sensors on it, the prime design element of the Baleno is carried in this new model also. We get chrome line below the rear windshield and nicely camouflaged parking camera on it. This is a flagship design treatment of the Baleno from the first generation and they carried it to the 2022 version also.

The three piece design treatment in the headlights is also carried to the rear lights which looks classy as well as premium. The exterior of the 2022 Baleno is quite same as the before but still Maruti crafts some new elements like, alloys, headlights, taillights and hood of the vehicle. They design it with lots of practicality and even played with colours also. Now Maruti Suzuki knows the Indian market very well and therefore they worked with chrome to attract car buyers. This is a completely evolutionary design of Baleno even on the roads you will know that this is a Baleno, they don’t changed the completely changed the design only try to make some twist in the exterior of the Baleno.

Interior-

Talking about the Interior we have all black trim inside this Baleno and now the glossy black treatment is also added in certain areas to gave a premium look. The dashboard is revised now and we have hard touch material on it, to reduce its costs we got hard touch material like everywhere in cabin. But this is a common thing in Maruti Suzuki cars most of the time they used hard touch material in their production. The most important change in the cabin is that 9 inch new touchscreen infotainment system which is now placed vertically on the dashboard.

This is a completely new unit which gets wireless android auto and apple car play, media, radio, navigation, vehicle information, driving data and now it also gets connected car tech which is basically a Maruti Suzuki connect app in this connected system we got smart watch controlled car features, geofence, mobile app vehicle lock and unlock, Google home and Amazon Alexa connectivity, vehicle tracking, tow away alert and more features. This is the first Maruti Suzuki car to get this connected vehicle controls and maybe we will get this connected features in all the Maruti Suzuki lineups.

Below that infotainment screen we got air conditioning controls which is new and feels very premium even this is a budget car. Talking about the centre console its loaded with cubby holes and some USB ports, still we misses wireless charging pad. Parking brake is manual with slide able armrest with storage space inside it. The steering wheel is directly coming from Swift with mounted controls on it, steering wheel is adjustable in both ways with leather wrapped on it. The instrument cluster is kind of a basic unit, cause it’s rivals are offering fully digital unit we can get even bigger MID.

We got small MID in the centre of two dials, where we got speedometer, tachometer, distance to empty, power torque meter and more basic stuff which we seen in lots of other cars also. And the biggest elephant in the room is that heads up display (HUD), which is basically a small screen placed above the instrument cluster. This is a very premium feature which we seen in BMW’s , Mercedes Benz and lots of other luxury cars. But Maruti Suzuki still gave this feature in Baleno and trying to rule the segment, in this HUD we got clock, speedometer, tachometer, fuel economy and lots of engine related stuff.

This is a nice unit by Maruti Suzuki in this Baleno 2022, in Indian market this is a first time to get this feature and we really appreciate Maruti Suzuki for this tech. The front seats are more wider now than earlier and feels even more comfortable. Like that in second row Maruti has given us only two headrest with no centre armrest which is even 5Lac cars are coming with it. But the seat comfort levels are impressive and AC vents, USB ports makes it more convenient.

The knee room and legroom are ample enough but headroom is been a issue with tall people, cause to make this car more aero efficient Maruti lowered down its roofing line and the result is we don’t get sufficient headroom in the cabin. Reducing the height and length reduced the boot by 21 litres and now the boot space is 318 litre which is enough but it’s rivals are offering more space inside the boot.

Comfort and Convenience-

Well now Maruti Suzuki is more focusing on features and tech in its vehicles because it’s rivals are offering crazy stuff, in the 2022 Baleno we got heads up display, automatic climate control, touchscreen infotainment system, connected vehicle features,

electrically adjustable and retractable orvm’s, automatic headlights, cruise control, rear AC vents, USB ports at rear, 360 degree parking camera and more.

Safety and tech-

Looking to the poor built quality of Maruti Suzuki cars they claimed that new 2022 Baleno is built on ultra high steel with 70KG more weight than earlier one and directly competes with Altroz.

In Baleno we got 6 airbags, ABS and EBD, brake assist, hill hold control, 360 degree parking camera and rear parking sensors, isofix child seat anchors and more. This 2022 Baleno is available in 6 colour options.

• Nexa Blue
• Splendid Sillver
• Opulent Red

• Grandeur Red
• Arctic White
• Luxe Beige.

Conclusion –

• This 2022 Baleno Facelift costs from 6.48L to 9.70L (Ex-showroom Delhi), this budget price range is loaded with lots of options like Tata Altroz, Hyundai i20, Toyota Glanza, Maruti Suzuki Swift, Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Maruti Suzuki Vitara Breeza, Honda Amaze, Tata Punch. Maruti Suzuki is understanding the market now offering us lots of features in its lineup and trying to lead the segment, but still it misses out certain features like sunroof, ventilated seats, digital instrument cluster, wireless charging pad, rain sensing wipers.

Maruti Suzuki is trying to best in the segment with uses of lots of chrome and giving us first in the segment features as well. But still Maruti Suzuki done a fantastic job by giving us a stylish looking hatchback with decent amount of features and also have ample performance.

Ratings From Team Ignition To Maruti Suzuki Baleno 2022

All Photo Credit- My Car Dealership, Wakad, Pune

• Edited By Atharva Patil