Disclaimer: I am no tech expert. But I am just normal guy who liked and picked up a baleno last month. My decision was based on the following factors
1. Value for Money
2. MARUTI....MARUTI....MARUTi
3. Personal choice of the styling
4. Some basic facts about baleno
To get a saloon car for 5.7 Lac...i feel its a steal. Dont EVER compare this with a 9 lac city and 11lac Corolla. If are gonna pay more to get a city/corrola... you better get stuff worth that extra expense . If money is not your constraint I think civic should be your choice...never compare an american car like chevy with this. American phylosophy of making cars is different from japanses. If you value for money is your concern then never go near an american car.....their life is shorter and needs heavy maintenance...
On the second point... No other manufacturer can beat maruti in terms of service or network all over the country..and at the end of the day they are backed by suzuki and no doubts that the japanses know the technology behind making cars..
The other day I heard CNBC auto show guys (Sorabjee) saying the looks of the baleno are out dated...may be true...but I still love the styling of the Black baleno...the other colours are dumb...may be I am old fashioned...but it makes me feel good thats all I am bothered about...i am not buying the car to make any fashion statement but personal satisfaction.
The baleno is an excellent car.Its the current India Rally Champion. It has all the qualities a car should have to be on the top spot of the upper c-segment.Though it is such a good car sales have never taken off to great heights.Maruti manages to sell just about 150 to 200. The power is awesome....even at high gears you can go slow speeds. Less number of gear changes increases mileage. Its steady even at 150’s...but for mileage sakes its better to drive around 60’s-80’s.
PS: Baleno’s production is going to be stopped next year...so do your reasearch on that and then decide...but dude ...due to this you will get discounts more than 1 lak on that car...you can get the LXi at 5.4L...dont go for the VXi...not worth the extra lac..
I hope my view would be useful