Maruti lately launched a facelift for considered one of their widespread premium hatchbacks, the 2026 Baleno, at Rs 6.10 lakh (ex-showroom) onwards with minor updates to its styling, new options and a brand-new powertrain as effectively. Whereas this launch has sparked loads of pleasure, we’ve lastly received out arms on the hatchback and listed below are 5 issues we learnt about it after driving:
Options To Pamper
The Baleno, being a competitively priced household hatchback, did have strain from its SUV rivals in its worth bracket. Maruti has tried to deal with that with the introduction of some new options to maintain it interesting akin to entrance ventilated seats and a wi-fi charger with a cooling perform to regulate your telephone’s temperature when it’s charging. One other change is the model of the 6-speaker music system, tuned by Clarion.
Consolation To Please Household
One of many strengths of the Baleno has been its balanced experience high quality. And with the facelift, this has not modified. Over small imperfections and potholes, the Baleno feels composed and takes them on with out unsettling the passengers inside. The cabin house can be fairly spacious for brief and tall passengers. With the driving force’s seat having peak adjustment, there may be cheap flexibility to discover a good driving place for most individuals of various sizes.
The ergonomics, practicality and storage areas are additionally effectively deliberate, with seatback pockets and bottle holders obtainable for all 4 passengers.
Simply Obtained Higher For Metropolis Driving
Right here is the place the Baleno’s largest change lies. The 2026 Baleno will get a brand new coronary heart from the Swift and Dzire. That is the 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine however in a three-cylinder guise versus the earlier four-cylinder engine. This new engine known as the Z12E and is among the many most interesting 3-cylinder engines in its class. The slow-speed driveability, refinement and gasoline effectivity make it among the many most sensible engines obtainable within the class.
Although the previous engine was praised for its smoothness, effectivity and efficiency, this new engine takes a brand new method to being simpler to drive and with higher gasoline effectivity.
Seems Richer With Extra Bling
Sure, we all know the reactions on-line to taking a look at these huge chrome bars on the grille. Nevertheless, do keep in mind that Maruti is among the many most well-informed producers on the subject of product planning and being conscious of buyer tastes in India. So regardless of the polarising seems to be of the Baleno facelift, there will likely be hundreds of takers who will like how the Baleno seems to be grander than earlier than.
Take The Highways With Calmness
With the introduction of the brand new engine, the character of the Baleno facelift has now modified. Whereas the slow-speed and metropolis driving have improved, it has taken a small hit in freeway efficiency. Whereas it’s going to carry out freeway duties with good consolation, the engine gained’t be capable of sustain if you wish to make fast freeway overtakes. Thoughts you, the efficiency is just not a dealbreaker. That is compared to the efficiency that the older engine may ship when the roads opened up.
CarDekho Says…
The 2026 Baleno facelift comes with upgrades that could be of a lot use to right this moment’s wants in Indian circumstances. With temperatures rising, ventilated seats are actually turning into extra of a necessity than a luxurious. And due to the petrol obtainable right this moment being blended, the gasoline financial system of automobiles has come down. That is addressed by the introduction of the brand new engine, which has improved the claimed gasoline effectivity of the Baleno.
Total, the basic qualities of the much-loved hatchback have been retained, with tangible updates maintaining with the instances.
