Introduction

The Suzuki Baleno is a car designed to cater to supermini buyers who want more than just style. This compact hatchback offers practicality, space, and affordable pricing, making it a solid choice for families and drivers who prioritize functionality over flair. The 2016 Suzuki Baleno strikes a balance between compact size and interior spaciousness, offering good fuel economy and technology features at a competitive price point. With its sleek yet understated design, it’s the ideal car for those looking for a practical, sensible vehicle in the small car segment.

Design and Features

Suzuki has focused on making the Baleno practical and efficient rather than flashy. The car adopts a “liquid flow” design theme, which features curved lines and expressive surfaces that give it a sleek yet conservative appearance. The car’s shape, including its floating roof effect created by blacked-out pillars, gives the Baleno a streamlined and modern look. The five-door layout and 16-inch alloy wheels come as standard, with chrome accents on higher trims adding a touch of sophistication.
At the front, the Baleno is equipped with a stylish grille that is bordered by HID projector headlamps. The lower bumper has fog lamps, and a subtle rear spoiler adds to its aerodynamic profile. Though it may not turn heads like some rivals, its understated elegance is well-suited for buyers who prefer function over flashy design.

Interior Comfort and Technology

Inside, the Suzuki Baleno impresses with its spacious and well-thought-out cabin. The use of a completely new platform, featuring Suzuki’s Total Effective Control Technology (TECT), means the Baleno is light without compromising on strength. Its curb weight can be as low as 950 kilograms, which not only makes it lighter than many of its competitors but also more fuel-efficient.
Despite its lightweight design, the interior feels sturdy, and the layout is simple and user-friendly. There’s an emphasis on practicality with storage compartments throughout, including bottle holders and a decent-sized glove box. Higher-spec trims offer soft-touch materials on the dashboard, though hard plastics are more prominent on lower trims.
One of the standout features across the Baleno range is the seven-inch color infotainment touchscreen, which comes as standard. This system includes satellite navigation, a DAB radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and smartphone integration through Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink. The inclusion of these features at no extra cost makes the Baleno a highly competitive option in the supermini segment. Additionally, the instrument cluster in higher trims includes a 4.2-inch color display that provides a wealth of information, including engine performance metrics and fuel economy stats.

Performance and Driving Experience

The Baleno offers two petrol engine options, both designed to deliver excellent fuel economy without compromising on power. The most popular engine is the 1.0-liter Boosterjet, which produces 111 PS and 170 Nm of torque. This engine is lively and responsive, making it a joy to drive in urban environments. The lightweight design of the Baleno means that even with its modest engine size, the car feels peppy and nimble. Acceleration from 0-62 mph takes just 11.4 seconds with the manual transmission, while the automatic variant shaves a fraction off that time.
For those looking for something different, Suzuki also offers a 1.2-liter Dualjet engine with Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki (SHVS) technology. This mild hybrid system helps reduce fuel consumption by providing a small boost during acceleration and supporting the stop-start system. The SHVS variant achieves up to 17.6 miles per gallon and emits just 94 grams per kilometer of CO2, making it an eco-friendly option for those prioritizing fuel efficiency.

Ride and Handling

While the Suzuki Baleno excels in many areas, its ride quality is slightly less refined compared to rivals like the Ford Fiesta. The suspension is firm, and it can transmit road imperfections into the cabin, particularly on rough city streets. However, the car is well-behaved at higher speeds, offering a surprisingly quiet and composed ride for a supermini.
In terms of handling, the Baleno’s light steering makes it easy to maneuver in tight city spaces, though the feedback may feel a little vague on twisty roads. The car remains stable through bends, and the tires provide decent grip. While it’s not the most thrilling car to drive, it performs adequately for most drivers’ needs.

Practicality and Space

Where the Suzuki Baleno truly shines is in its practicality. Despite its compact exterior, the interior is spacious, especially for rear passengers. The car’s long wheelbase provides impressive legroom in the back seats, making it a great option for families. The rear bench is comfortable, and though it may feel tight with three adults, it’s perfect for children or occasional passengers.
The boot offers a generous 320 liters of space, which is larger than what you’d find in many competitors, including the Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa. The rear seats can be folded down in a 60/40 split to expand the load space to 756 liters, which is more than enough for most daily needs.

Safety and Equipment

Suzuki has equipped the Baleno with an impressive range of safety features, especially in the higher trim levels. Standard safety equipment includes six airbags, ESP stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The range-topping SZ5 model adds advanced features like radar brake support, which uses autonomous emergency braking to help avoid collisions.
Other high-end safety features include adaptive cruise control, rear parking sensors, and hill hold control, making the Baleno a well-rounded choice for safety-conscious buyers.

Conclusion

The Suzuki Baleno is a sensible, practical choice for those who prioritize space, efficiency, and affordability in a small car. While it may lack the driving dynamics and premium feel of some competitors, it more than makes up for it with generous equipment, impressive interior space, and excellent fuel economy. The car is ideal for families or anyone looking for a practical and efficient vehicle without breaking the bank.
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