Even though theBaleno has done very poorly in the market (a victim of Maruti’s grassrootsimage and its own poor looks), however, under that dull skin is a veryfine car, which is worth a look.
DESIGN, ENGINEERING & INTERIORS
The Baleno was intended to be a sedan from the start, so itsproportions are quite acceptable, unlike cars like the Indigo and HondaCity, and the short rear deck, especially when clad with a spoiler, looks quite racy.
What helps it is that it looks a clear segment above cars like theIkon, which gives it good presence. Maruti has performed some mildtouch-up jobs, with a new grille and nice alloys, but something muchmore drastic is needed if the Baleno’s looks are to match its talent.
There is little extraordinary about the car’s design;the lack of ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), airbags or any other safety equipment is quiteregrettable.
The interiors too are quite ordinary, and very plasticky, with littlethought given to style. It’s very spacious and functional though, withgood width and lots of cubby-holes. The seats offer superb under-thighsupport, but a lack of headroom marks down comfort at the rear.
Maruti has spruced up the cabin with aluminium-look trim on the centreconsole, white dials and a new steering wheel, but plastic quality issome way behind the rest, and some controls, like the slider switchesfor the air-con, look pretty downmarket for such a car.
PERFORMANCE, FUEL ECONOMY & HANDLING
The Baleno comes with a single1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, with 94bhp and 13.4kgm oftorque, and only a five-speed manual gearbox.
The figures may notlook terribly impressive when compared to cars like the Accent Tornado, but the Baleno is actually a scorching performer. It is by far thefastest in its class, with its revvy, tractable engine — it will pullseamlessly from as little as 900rpm, and keep going all the way to its6000rpm red line.
It’s not too refined however, and sounds buzzy and coarse at times;plus, the gearbox, although direct, feels somewhat rubbery andunsporting. The best bit is that despite the performance, the Baleno isstill the most fuel-efficient in the class, with 12 kpl in the city and16 kpl on the highway. The Baleno’s suspension has been stiffly set-up, but it still has a very good ride. Its handling, though notas sharp as the Ikon’s, is quite fluid and driver-friendly, with astable chassis, strong brakes and well-weighted steering that give oneplenty of confidence at high speeds.
The only problem area is grip. The Baleno with tall but skinny 165/80 tyres on 13-inch rims, which, with their narrow contact patch and high sidewalls give up veryquickly in the middle of a corner — shame given the car’s abilities.Were the Baleno to get the wider, lower-profile tyres it begs for, itcould be a very good driver’s car; if you buy one, I recommendupsizing to wider tyres.
VERDICT
TheBaleno suffers from image and a distinctly bland character, but apartfrom that, this is an excellent all-rounder, with lots of space andperformance, and good dynamics and fuel economy as well. The styling isunenthusiastic, the interior is comfy but cheap looking, and Maruti’simage doesn’t cut it in the executive car market, but the Baleno is avery practical buy. Spares are now cheaper, and Maruti’s servicenetwork is second to none. Factor in the price cut, which brings theBaleno in line with cars like the Ikon and Accent, and it becomes quitehard to resist.