The one thing about the Baleno is its ability to put a smile on your dial every time you take it out for a spin. Sure, it’s not really as spirited as a City VTEC (or even a plain-jane City 1.5). And it’s not as composed as a Lancer or an Astra at loony speeds, but that Suzuki engine is gem. VERY free-revving, it will help you win most traffic-light GPs without hassle. Combined with the slick 5-speed ’box, the sweet engine gets this car going in a hurry when you want some nifty motoring - you will see 180+ km/hr on the speedo if you can find the right road...
The interiors are plain old plastic-fantastic, but all the instrumentation etc is well thought out, and easy to use. There is loads of space, and even heavy-weights can get comfy in there.
The suspension is (as expected) a bit soft for extended high-speed blasts across mixed terrain. Push it too hard, and you risk losing the plot. The 13-inch wheels are crap, and have no business being on this car. This car NEEDS 15-inch alloys and sticky tubeless radials, PLEASE. Get this upgrade though, and you can begin driving in real earnest. Fast, smooth tarmac (read Bombay-Pune Expressway) is the Baleno’s natural stomping grounds, and the car can be loads of fun. Any races with Citys/Lancers usually go right down to the wire, though the Baleno safely outruns Astras/Accents/Ikons. I must say here though, that one Palio 1.6 GTX did get the better of our Baleno once, which was a bit embarrassing!
A/C is good, boombox is about average. Mileage is about 9km/litre if you push the car hard. Right foot pushed down all the time, with the A/C switched on. Brakes are about average, and this car needs ABS really.
Overall, a fast, comfortable car but one that’s getting a bit dated now. But every time you drive one, that smile inevitably creeps up on your face.... :-)