Suzuki Baleno Review 2023: A Comprehensive Look at the Compact Car

Are you in the market for a compact car that’s both affordable and practical? Look no further than the Suzuki Baleno. The Baleno is a versatile and efficient vehicle that offers plenty of features and value for its price. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at what makes the Suzuki Baleno such a great car.

Suzuki Baleno Review, For Sale, Colours, Interior & News in Australia

The Suzuki Baleno succeeded the Suzuki SX4 crossover during 2016, though brand fans will recall a bland, mid-’90s three-door hatch, four-door sedan and five-door wagon wearing the same badge. That wasn’t a huge success in Oz.

This time around, Suzuki pitched the Baleno as a near-Corolla-sized five-door hatch but at a cheaper, Yaris price point. Combined with sharp handling and eager powertrains, this Indian-built, spacious and well-equipped runabout has proven to be a reliable, economical and affordable little family car.

On the flipside, AEB Autonomous Emergency Braking isn’t available at all, limiting the Baleno’s safety standing somewhat. The cheapest grade starts from $19,000, rising to $28,585 for the most expensive version. 

Design and Exterior Suzuki Baleno

The Suzuki Baleno has a sleek and modern design that’s sure to turn heads. The front grille and headlights are sharp and angular, giving the car a sporty look. The Baleno also has a low and wide stance, which adds to its aggressive appearance. The car comes in a variety of colors, including metallic and pearlescent finishes.

On the side, the Baleno has a distinct character line that runs from the front fender to the rear taillight. The roofline is also low, which gives the car a coupe-like profile. The rear of the Baleno features a spoiler and a set of LED taillights that complete the car’s sporty look.

Interior and Comfort Suzuki Baleno

The Suzuki Baleno may be a compact car, but it doesn’t skimp on interior space. The car has ample headroom and legroom for both the driver and passengers. The seats are comfortable and supportive, making long drives a breeze. The Baleno also has a spacious trunk that can fit all of your luggage and gear.

The interior of the Baleno is simple and functional, with everything within easy reach of the driver. The dashboard features a touchscreen infotainment system that supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system is easy to use and responsive, allowing you to stay connected while on the go.

Suzuki Baleno Interior

The interior of the Suzuki Baleno is a bit like the exterior – pleasant, but not exciting or overly plush. The material and trim used is hardy rather than heart-warming, but you do get a leather steering wheel on all grades. The space is good – check our images – and that’s part of its appeal.

• Step in to the cabin and you’ll be greeted with the usual Suzuki staples of super-hard plastics, hardy carpets and tough cloth trim. (image: Peter Anderson)
• If you’re up to around 180cm tall, there’s enough space for you and your legs in the back and headroom is adequate. (image: Peter Anderson)
• There is a little curvaceousness to the dash design but it just feels a bit half-hearted. (image: Peter Anderson)
• Step in to the cabin and you’ll be greeted with the usual Suzuki staples of super-hard plastics, hardy carpets and tough cloth trim. (image: Peter Anderson)
• If you’re up to around 180cm tall, there’s enough space for you and your legs in the back and headroom is adequate. (image: Peter Anderson)

Performance and Handling Baleno

The Suzuki Baleno is powered by a 1.2-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 82 horsepower and 115 Nm of torque. The engine is paired with a five-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Baleno is front-wheel drive, which gives it good traction on the road.

The Baleno is a nimble and agile car that handles well on both city streets and highways. The car’s suspension is well-tuned, providing a comfortable ride even on bumpy roads. The steering is light and precise, making it easy to maneuver in tight spaces.

Safety Features Baleno

The Suzuki Baleno comes with a range of safety features to keep you and your passengers safe on the road. The car has six airbags, including front, side, and curtain airbags. The Baleno also has an anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) to help you stop quickly and safely.

Other safety features on the Baleno include a rearview camera, parking sensors, and a hill hold control system. The car also has a speed limiter, which helps you stay within the speed limit and avoid getting a ticket.

Fuel Efficiency

One of the biggest selling points of the Suzuki Baleno is its fuel efficiency. The car has a combined fuel economy of 21.4 km/l, making it one of the most fuel-efficient cars in its class. The Baleno’s low weight and aerodynamic design contribute to its impressive fuel economy.

Engines Suzuki Baleno

One of two power units available has a government economy figure of no less than 70mpg, which has to be fantastic for a petrol car.

The more powerful of the two engines is Suzuki’s excellent Boosterjet 1.0-litre turbo petrol, which in this guise, produces an excellent 110bhp.

To put that into context, it’s not far off the power of some early 1.6-litre GTI’s, although they were a lot lighter.

It’s good for 56mpg and will accelerate from 0 to 60mph in 10.9 seconds, although it feels quicker

The even more frugal option is a mild-hybrid 1.2-litre petrol with 88bhp, and this is the model that’s rated at an excellent 70mpg. Obviously, it’s a bit slower too, reaching the benchmark speed from rest in 11.9 seconds.

Both engines drive the front wheels through a slick changing 5-speed gearbox, and an automatic is available in some models.

Both are also smooth and quiet, but the Boosterjet 1.0-litre is a gem, and beautifully tuneful when revved.

But there’s actually little need to use the revs most of the time, because the turbo means it pulls happily from low speeds even in 5th gear.

Suzuki Baleno Q&As

Check out real-world situations relating to the Suzuki Baleno here, particularly what our experts have to say about them.

What is the ANCAP rating for the Suzuki Baleno 2020?

The 2020 Baleno was not tested as part of the ANCAP program, but without standard autonomous emergency braking (AEB) which some of its competitors now have as standard, it possibly wouldn’t have been a safety front-runner anyway. That’s not to say it’s an unsafe car, simply that AEB is a proven life-saver and it’s a shame the Baleno didn’t have it.Meantime, while it wasn’t crash-tested locally, the Baleno was crash tested by Euro NCAP in 2018. A relatively poor result in the pole-crash test saw the Baleno emerge with just three safety stars out of five.Show more 

What is the ANCAP rating for the 2018 Suzuki Baleno?

The Baleno sold in Australia was fitted with six air-bags in total. That was made up of two front bags, two front-side bags and two full-length curtain air-bags that protected those in the rear seat as well. But it missed out on other safety tech including autonomous emergency braking and lane-keep assistance.The Baleno wasn’t crash-tested locally, but it was tested by Euro NCAP and didn’t perform too well. Combined with that lack of active safety gear was a relatively poor chest-protection rating in the pole-impact test, leaving the Suzuki with a safety score of just three stars.Show more 

Suzuki Baleno 2019: Any known issues?

There is nothing to suggest that the 2019 Baleno has anything to be concerned about, but it is very early in its life, so it’s impossible to be certain about what could happen down the track.

Suzuki Baleno 2019: Does it have AEB?The August update is a minor refresh for the Baleno, it’s mostly cosmetic and there’s no suggestion of autonomous emergency braking.

The price range for the Suzuki Baleno varies based on the trim level you choose. Starting at $14,080 and going to $28,930 for the latest year the model was manufactured. The model range is available in the following body types starting from the engine/transmission specs shown below.

Conclusion Suzuki Baleno 2023

Overall, the Suzuki Baleno is a great compact car that offers plenty of features and value for its price. The car has a sporty and modern design, a spacious and comfortable interior, and good performance and handling. It’s also packed with safety features and has impressive fuel efficiency. If you’re looking for a practical and affordable car that doesn’t compromise on style or features, the Suzuki Baleno is definitely worth considering.