My 2022 Baleno gives 19 km/l in the city whereas my new Sonet iMT returns an average fuel efficiency of 10 km/l.

BHPian Harsh_sharma recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

500 km Initial impression

We purchased a Kia Sonet HTK+ 1.0 Turbo in Feb. Due to low running, I have only been able to clock 500 km a month. But still good enough for the initial impression. Just for context, I also have a 2022 Baleno, so few points will be compared to that.

Positives

Engine

I went with the turbo because I already have a 1.2NA in the garage. Being a 3 cylinder, I expected some vibrations. But it is very refined, it only feels rough on a cold start for about 1 minute. There is turbo lag up until 1500rpm, then things move swiftly. The turbo is felt above 2,000 rpm & it just goes. I have only pushed to 4,000 rpm as of now & the turbo pull/feel is great. I am sure it will solve my overtaking issue in the mountains with Baleno when fully loaded up.

Transmission

The middle way? Neither here nor there. Why would someone want or even invent the iMT? That is what my thoughts were beforehand. But after skipping the AMT in Baleno, I curse myself every time stuck in traffic. With Sonet I had made up my mind to not go with MT. DCT was out of budget, so iMT was the only option. And I was so wrong.

It is the best of both worlds. The left leg is always happy in traffic & the satisfaction of rowing through the gears remains! It was very easy to get used to, there is no head nod like AMT. The gearbox is fast & the gear shift is quick, I only feel the 1st to 2nd is not that quick/smooth. It crawls at 7-8kmph in traffic.

The convenience of even just dumping the clutch is 10 fold when you live in Delhi NCR. After getting used to it, I did grind gears in my Baleno on a few occasions.

High-speed stability & Suspension

To put it simply. 100kmph on Baleno is okay & above 100 is scary & nervous. 100kmph in Sonet is very calm & even 140 (did try once) is the same calm feeling. It just keeps pulling, there is very little road noise. The suspension feels tight & composed. It is a bit firmer than the Baleno, which strikes the right balance between handling & comfort.

Potholes are dealt better after I reduced the Tyre pressure from 40 to 34psi.

SUV Characteristics

Yes, we all know it is a raised hatchback. And that's what is required to deal with 95% of my running. So that I don't have to worry about scraping. I generally carry more speed in Sonet on the same broken roads than in Baleno. The view is commanding, I can see the hood & feel like I am sitting higher & confidence level is more than what I feel sitting inside the Baleno. Baleno has a low seat (at least feels like one).

Features & Interior

The HTK+ is loaded up as per my requirement. I bought the Baleno base variant, with the plan of making it Alpha Pro++ from Karol Bagh Wizardry. Yes, that didn't turn out very well & there is always something off. So with Sonet, I made sure I at least got some feel-good features.

Keyless Entry, Sunroof (My Wife specifically wanted this), Auto headlamps, good infotainment screen with Wireless AA/Carplay & all the standard safety features. I only miss cruise control which can be retrofitted very easily.

Also, the quality of the interior feels a segment or two above Baleno. The plastics, the way everything has been put together.

Negatives/Could be better

Mileage

Remember how I mentioned the crawling speed in traffic? Turns out the Sonet converts that 8kmph to 8kmpl. Jokes apart. I know it’s still in the Run-in period. But I come from a Maruti family all the way. Baleno gives 19kmpl in the city, I have my mindset rigged by it!

Sonet gives an average of 10kmpl in the city as of now. Max, I went up to 16kmpl on a less traffic day. Just stay below 2000rpm. But I did not get the 1.0 Turbo for that, so 10-11 is what I have settled with.

Space

The front row is sufficient & good. But the rear space is not as much as the Baleno. The front seats are scooped so you have decent enough leg space, unless there is someone tall. Thigh support is not that great too.

Auto Start/Stop

It seems to have a mind or logic of its own. It switches off the car in 1st gear when I come to a stop with the brake pressed. Then I shift to N & it wakes up again. So for it to work I have to keep the brake pedal pressed & stay in 1st which I think is not the ideal way.

All in all, I am satisfied with the purchase. I am planning to take it to the Highway & Mountains soon. So that I enjoy more of what this sweet little Engine has to offer.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I have started feeling vibrations at the pedal when braking from 80kph and above.

BHPian forester recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

The car continues to maintain its annual average running of around 5,000km, with the odo finally hitting the 20,000km mark on January 11 - almost four years into the ownership.

The sixth servicing was due, and sent the car to the erstwhile Maruti Service Masters, now managed by DD-Prem Motors, in Jehangirpuri, Delhi. Since this was as major service, the following things were changed:

• Engine Oil - 0W16 Shell
• Oil Filter - ending in K00 part number
• Air Filter
• Fuel Filter
• Spark plugs
• Brake Fluid
• Coolant
• PM2.5 AC cabin filter - cleaned
• Wheel balancing, Five-tyre rotation, and Wheel alignment - FOC
• Exterior buffing and polishing - FOC

The total bill came up to Rs 5,513, with the last two items offered free of cost by the service centre. The car was picked up and delivered as per committed time, and the work was done to satisfaction.

Some pictures below:

New air filter ready to be installed

Spark plug replacement in action

Fuel filter replaced:

 Battery terminals cleaned, and distilled water topped up:

Battery health report:

Rear drum brakes cleaned:

Front disc brakes nearing end of life:

Pad thickness left around 4mm, good until the next service.

However, I have started feeling vibrations at the pedal when braking from 80kph and above. Might need to get the disc skimmed or replaced at the next interval. Must alter the driving style as well!

At the wheel balancing-alignment bay. Five-tyre rotation meticulously followed so far

Total spend 5,513/-

Some of the old parts duly returned by keeping in the boot

Some shots of the car after the service and detailing:

Geared up for the next milestone:

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Between the Fronx Delta Plus MT (1.2 NA) and the Baleno Alpha MT (1.2 NA), which one makes more practical sense for (70%-80%) city use and in what ways?

BHPian McQueen recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hi, I am trying to figure out certain differences between the two vehicles, namely the Fronx Delta Plus MT (1.2 NA) and the Baleno Alpha MT (1.2 NA). I have a few questions: if you could clarify them, it would be great.

• Which vehicle has a better suspension feel? How does each vehicle feel and handle potholes, speed breakers, highways and cornering at slow and high speeds?
• Which vehicle is more planted and has less body roll at higher speeds, while cornering and during overtakes?
• Between the Fronx Delta Plus MT (1.2 NA) and the Baleno Alpha MT, which one makes more practical sense for (70%-80%) city use and in what ways? (Assume that some of the missing features like the rear parking camera will be installed on the Fronx Delta Plus.)

I read several reviews and everything but these questions keep bothering me. Found two comparisons, one on T-BHP and one on a different site, and they were contradictory.

Here's what GTO had to say about the matter:

I'd pick the Fronx over the Baleno. Even though it's priced at a pretty premium over the Baleno.

• I like the styling of the Fronx a lot more. It does look nice, especially that front end.
• The lovely 1.0L turbo-petrol is an option and comes with a nice MT gearbox or a proper 6-speed AT (no AMTs for me… ever).

Of course, the Baleno is value-for-money in comparison and if on a tight budget, then the Baleno is probably more suitable.

Here's what BHPian gt3t0uring had to say about the matter:

If you are only looking to buy the 1.2L K12 engine, hands down Baleno is the better buy. Zeta variant (priced similarly as the Delta+ Fronx) of the Baleno gets more features (keyless entry, rear wiper, better instrument cluster etc) and in my opinion, looks better as well. Fronx should be the option only if you want the booster jet engine and high ground clearance (can be managed if driven carefully).

Here's what BHPian silverado had to say about the matter:

I am guessing the reason for your comparison is the same price. If that's the case, then it boils down to what you want.

If its SUVish looks/ slightly higher suspension and GC then it's Fronx.

For everything else it's Baleno.

Personally, if my budget is set and these are the 2 variants to choose from, then I will go with Baleno Alpha MT since it's very well-kitted and you do need features to enjoy your car ownership for a long period of time.

Here's what BHPian 007maverick had to say about the matter:

I hope you have decided first to own Maruti.

Now coming to your questions:

• Fronx has a higher GC. So it's no no-brainer that it will relatively provide you with better comfort on potholes and speed breakers.
• Technically Higher GC means more roll. Hence the quality of Ride & Handling will be poor for such a vehicle on a relative basis.
• Don't decide on the new car -variant based on features like Reverse Camera. Evaluate it based on Build quality, Cabin aesthetics, inside space / legroom for passengers, Safety features, key features that add to great convenience such as gear knob, ABC ergonomics, auto climate control, cornering lamps, hand rests, Airbags.

Between the two, Fronx will be a notch better simply because it's a new Cabin, has easier egress - ingress and might fetch a better Resale value over Baleno if the SUV fever continues for some more time in the market.

I'd suggest you to also test drive the i20 and Honda Amaze as well. These are great cars if SUVs/Crossovers are not your genuine requirement and you would like to consider beyond Maruti.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The line-up included different models like the 800, Zen, Baleno and Gypsy. There was even a Versa too.

BHPian Aditya recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

The Classic Maruti Day 2023 was held in Mumbai today.

The event was organised by some enthusiastic owners headed by BHPian BeemerBug_06:

More than 40 older vehicles from India's largest carmaker lined up at Utopia City, Worli. The list included 800s, Zens, Balenos, Gypsys and even a Versa.

Let's start with the first Maruti model introduced in India - the 800 (SS80).

You sit down low in one of these... just like a sports car:

Stock interior:

The second-gen 800 or SB308 replaced the SS80 in 1986. Most of us would have had one at some point in time:

A couple of Gypsys attended the event:

Continue reading Aditya's post about the 2023 Classic Maruti Day in Mumbai for BHPian comments, insights and more information.

I have to try 3-4 times for the car to detect that the gear has been moved to D and then it starts to drive.

BHPian Bal_ark21 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hello Team BHPians,

I have recently purchased a Baleno Alpha AMT model from Sanei Motors Kolkata and got it transported to Bangalore since the BH number was not happening here.

I have clocked about 180 km as of now but I have been experiencing a peculiar problem with the car. Quite a few times when I am in traffic and put the car in N when we are not moving, whenever I put it back to D, it doesn't detect it as I can see in the console which keeps showing N and it refuses to move.

I have to try 3-4 times for the car to detect that the gear has been moved to D and then it starts to drive. Needless to say cars behind me keep on honking and I am worried it might lead to an accident. This has happened 4-5 times till now and I am wondering if this is common with AMT cars or if is this a manufacturing defect.

Request guidance from fellow BHPians on this.

Here's what BHPian Jeroen had to say about the matter:

No, this is not normal at all. When you move the selector it should always do as advertised, irrespective of position or how it was moved. E.g. moving from P to D, D should work. From N to R, R should work.

You need to get it seen too. My suspicion would be the gear selector mechanism needs a bit of fine-tuning. There are a number of levers and so, looks like it is a little out of whack. Not sure why, maybe just bad luck, maybe the factory was just a hair-off when they installed it. These levers have little pivoting points with rubber bushings and or some sort of little (ball) bearing. Maybe something is wrong with it.

On some AMTs, the selector moves the gears by means of a special cable, so-called Bowden cable. Same thing, it needs careful adjusting.

Your dealer should be able to fix it. The specifications and settings of the gear mechanism are known and can be verified and adjusted if need be.

Good luck.

Let us know what they find.

Here's what BHPian srini1785 had to say about the matter:

Welcome to the wonderful world of Suzuki AMT.

As welcome drinks, we can offer - Maruti's AMT Woes Page.

AMT is a complex beast with a lot of sensors and actuators interacting with the actual gearbox. As @Jeroen had explained there are mechanical things that can go wrong and so can sensor interlocks with the ECU. It's best to raise this issue with the ASC.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The car had no such problem before. It only required routine annual maintenance.

BHPian RR96 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Recently, a person I know had to go through an unpleasant experience. Sharing his story below.

A Baleno (2017 model) was given for annual maintenance service at an authorised service centre in Kollam, Kerala in the first week of November this year. The car, before service, didn't have any issues and only required routine annual maintenance. But after servicing and wheel alignment, the car lost its automatic recentering function of the steering wheel.

When the issue was brought to the notice of the SA, he casually remarked that it was a common issue with all Balenos. Have noticed in the reviews that the new Maruti cars are a bit reluctant in recentering of the steering wheel after a turn, but it wasn't the case with this car. The car, for the past 5 years, didn't have any recentering issues and only after servicing at this service centre, has it started showing this issue.

Later, he showed the car to the nearby FNG and they had a tough time trying to solve the issue. Still, the car isn't fully back to its original form and could only be brought back if parts are changed which might cost a hefty amount. The mechanic at the FNG felt that the service centre guys had rotated the steering wheel while wheel balancing without switching on the engine.

Sharing a video of the issue. The issue is explained in Malayalam in the video. Notice the steering doesn't recentre after rotated fully.

Same thing posted by the person on his Facebook account.

We generally give our cars to the authorized service centres as we have trust in them. But the ordeal he has gone through makes one think whether one should go to these centres and give them the higher labour charge plus taxes or should one prefer a known mechanic?

Here's what BHPian Jaguar had to say about the matter:

Ask him to get the wheel alignment checked. A similar issue happened to me when I got WA done from a new shop with brand-new equipment. The base values setup on the machine for my car model were wrong. After setting the values as per the previous WA report, the issue was resolved.

Here's what BHPian MotoBlip had to say about the matter:

The same issue occurred with my car, and I demonstrated this specific manoeuvre in front of the tech head at the Maruti service station. Afterwards, they recorded videos, sent them to Maruti, and proceeded with the replacement of my steering assembly, which was already part of the unofficial recall. Initially, they were hesitant to replace it until I showed them the issue. The return action improved to some extent but nowhere close to what it should be like in most cars. IMO, the design geometry is inherently flawed but they seem to have fixed it in the newer models.

Here's what BHPian Maverick Avi had to say about the matter:

Don't understand why Maruti doesn't offer a recall for all these stupid steering assemblies. I have a 2020 Wagon R and this issue is the most frustrating aspect of the otherwise lovely car. It's been there from day 1 and nobody acknowledges it and hence no solution is provided.

I had a tough time initially adjusting to it but 3 years later have gotten used to it. Your video reminded me of my amusement when I used to experience this early on with the new car. Seriously don't know how Maruti continues with this part and hasn't changed the setup on the new Wagon R.

Here's what BHPian humyum had to say about the matter:

They have tightened the steering damper to arrest the noise coming from the steering assembly due to which the steering is jammed and not returning is what I can think of, could be alignment too as everyone has mentioned.

There are three ways to fix this.

• If alignment is an issue, get it back to specs and it should be good. A wild guess is, too much of a toe-in but could be wrong. If this does not solve, steps 2 and 3.
• Open the assembly up, re-grease everything, replace the bush if needed and adjust the damper. This is a time-consuming exercise to get this just right.
• Loosen the damper and adjust it to have the best compromise between noise and return-ability.

And finally, if nothing works, replace the steering. The newer Marutis I hear come with a separate power steering and rack and pinion assembly, so not that costly and can be replaced as child parts.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

After checking a few technical forums and with info available to me, demanded the CVT Fluid to be changed

BHPian sudipt123 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hi Forum Members,

I've taken a while to write a post on my woes ever after my Maruti Baleno developed a overheating situation with just 32k on the odometer. The car is a the CVT Delta 2020 Model being single handedly driven all along. The car has not given me any major issues till on the fateful day of July 19th '23, while picking up my child from School, the gearbox suddenly lost drive.

The Ordeal begins:

The gearbox icon and check engine light lit up on the instrument cluster.

It was raining that day (somewhat heavy) in Mumbai, and pushed the vehicle to the side with the help of fellow motorists. I called up the Maruti RSA and 45 min later, the mechanic arrives. He says, there is some internal issue and car needs to be towed to the ASC.

Dealer Workshop receives the vehicle and sits on it. JC is opened only (after 2 hrs upon reaching) once i start checking on the details. Dealer informs that most of their staff has left early due to the rains. Fast forward with their diagnosis, Dealer informs that the CVT oil cooler has failed and needs replacement. I had availed of EW (Gold) during purchase. A week of back and forth and with help of a EX Maruti Contact, the component arrives from Delhi and fitted in the car.

Now comes the Overhang:

However I made a revisit (Within a month) to the same workshop with Issues of Jerking, poor pickup after driving about 400- 500 kms. Dealership said they will call Maruti Technical Helpdesk and ask the solution. However no Maruti personnel visited the Dealership. Finally, I was informed that they have exhausted all the troubleshooting steps and that nothing is wrong with the car.

Ultimately after checking a few technical forums and with info available to me, demanded the CVT Fluid to be changed which was done by Dealership. This step mitigated the issues to some extent, but didn't resolve and residual effects are being felt

Current issues being faced with car while driving:

• RPM is reduced even after constant throttle application.
• Gear changes are sluggish and RPM Fluctuates while changes. (Can feel it) and watch on the tachometer
• Jerking / Lurching between (20-30 KM/hr)
• Very Poor Acceleration (Feels like I'm driving on CNG)- even on S Mode.
• Facing poor fuel efficiency (Drop of about 3-4 KM/Litre) since the incident. Earlier used to consistently get around 16 Km/Litre (Mixed Conditions of highway and city)
• Gearbox Whine /sounds persists after the repair.
• Juddering while coasting.
• Big Jerking from moving from P to R or N (more pronounced effect at cold start)

Repeat Complaints:

2 Visits later , including the TSM, both times they are just hooking up the scan tool and checking the parameters and stating that no DTC's are showing. Last drive with TSM where the jerking issue was acknowledged by him, but stated that it's comparable to another CVT Baleno (point 8 was verified, but the jerking was somewhat subdued when compared to my Vehicle). I seriously feel that the CVT clutch is failing in my Vehicle, and this is just the start of the symptoms.

On speaking to a few local mechanics, was stated that rejection of acceptance is a common tactic used by Dealer till warranty gets over. Once it is over, they will ask you to change the entire gearbox assembly.

I humbly request my fellow members to help me out of this pickle. I am thinking to escalate this further, maybe even legal options.

But overall I am appalled with the life of these JATCO gearboxes running on the Baleno's and Glanza's.\

Thanks in Advance

Sudipt

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

Work with Maruti. Try another dealership. Keep contacting Maruti's customer service until they solve the problem. I am also forwarding this thread URL to some contacts at Maruti. Maruti is known to take care of its customers.

I wasn't aware that the CVT Maruti uses is from Jatco. They have the worst reputation for reliability (check this URL and this). Nissan owns Jatco, but Jatco has destroyed Nissan's reputation in the USA, much like VWs & DQ200s.

In this sea of CVTs, AMTs & dual-clutch ATs, the good old torque-converter AT remains the most reliable & my preferred choice.

Here's what BHPian Motoblip had to say on the matter:

Even I wasn't aware that Maruti used JATCO's CVT transmission. There's a sea of complaints on Reddit, with many users expressing concerns about failures due to overheating. Some have even resorted to installing aftermarket transmission coolers.

I hope Maruti assists you with this issue. Consider visiting a NEXA Service Centre; in my limited experience with them, they usually provide better service than ARENA workshops and warranty claims move more swiftly. My car also has a CVT, with around 65k kms, and things are fine. I recently had the CVT fluid and filter replaced. Could it be possible that they didn't replace the filter in your case, leading to a potential blockage? Also, have you noticed any underbelly damage?

Here' what BHPian Jeroen had to say on the matter:

Even I wasn't aware that Maruti used JATCO's CVT transmission. There's a sea of complaints on Reddit, with many users expressing concerns about failures due to overheating. Some have even resorted to installing aftermarket transmission coolers.

I hope Maruti assists you with this issue. Consider visiting a NEXA Service Centre; in my limited experience with them, they usually provide better service than ARENA workshops and warranty claims move more swiftly. My car also has a CVT, with around 65k kms, and things are fine. I recently had the CVT fluid and filter replaced. Could it be possible that they didn't replace the filter in your case, leading to a potential blockage? Also, have you noticed any underbelly damage?

Here's what BHPian Jaggu had to say on the matter:

Get the details of Maruti's regional service manager from the dealership and speak to him. They usually schedule visits every month and ensure your car is checked by them. Then push for an early replacement of the box since it is under warranty and not an easily repairable part but a critical one.

As far as actual issue, my only guess is.. low fluid level has messed up the internals and the box is not performing at the optimum as it should. Hence the jerking and loss of performance.

Here's what BHPian vaisakhr had to say on the matter:

Hi, I own a 2020 Baleno Alpha CVT, 45k done on the odo. I have faced similar issue few months back.

Was on a Sunday drive with my wife and 2yr old baby near Munnar, Kerala. Upon our return journey to home at Adimali the GB overheating warning popped up. Stopped the car, waited for 15 to 20 mins to cool down. Checked oil level and found everything to be normal visually. Started the car and the gearbox fault indicator was lit and the car refused to move in R. had to take a turn back to go home, since the roads were narrow and required a 3 point turn which I was unable to do. Asked my wife to step out with baby and wait near the nearby shop and i went ahead to find a good space to do a U turn. Sadly couldn't find any and decided to use a slope to help with reverse. Did that and picked them up and drove the car on N since the way back was downhill,luckily. Drove for few kms and there was the doom waiting for a us, a climb. The car simply refused to go up and had to park it on the side. By this time the it was dark outside and we were in a semi forest kind of place with no people or vehicles nearby. Was scared AF since my wife and kid were with me.

After many calls we somehow managed to arrange a flatbed to shift car, and a cab for them. Cab arrived first and I got down at a small village enroute home, since staying at that place alone was not safe. I went back to my car on the flatbed and moved the car to our home.

Next day took the same flat bed to shift the car to the Nexa service centre, my usual place.

Then the days of calls and frustration began. They were not sure what the problem was and were checking/doing what the company was asking them to do. The tried replaced the valve block( not sure what it is) and the TCM, no luck the car was still not moving. And MS asked to replace the entire GB.

My car was at the workshop for almost 3 months. Whole thing was covered under warranty, I only had to bear the cost of gear oil.

Note : The SC guys told me the entire bill was whopping 4.5L

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Mileage is a strong point and with Maruti’s cost of ownership, it is good second car to have in your garage.

BHPian George Thomas recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Since my wife took a driving license we have been on the lookout for a car for around 10 lakhs. We have a Honda City (Manual) which for some reason she finds difficult to drive even though she learned to drive and took her license in a manual. Long story short, after a lot of negotiations, where I compromised, she agreed to drive on a regular basis if it was a small vehicle which was an automatic.

I am six-footers and by the look of things, it looks like both my boys will be close to my height. So it was essential to buy the spacious car possible while keeping it close to our budget. After the initial search based on suggestions from friends and our own needs, we narrowed it down to the Hyundai i20 and Suzuki Baleno. We took our respective test drives and these are some of the conclusions we came to.

i20

• 1-liter Turbo petrol is a gem of an engine and the best of the lot while the 1.2 liter feels underpowered
• The entertainment system is amazing and the screen is very responsive to touch. The sound quality is okay and can be improved.
• Full black cabin with plastics all around but has a certain feel-good appeal to it.
• Seat comfort is good both in the front and back with the rear seat being wider but lower than Baleno’s
• Suspension setup is on the stiffer side and road imperfections can be felt inside the cabin.
• DCT gearbox is seamless between gear changes and it’s easier to manage in town where there are constant gear changes.
• During our test drive, mileage was on the lower side, especially for a hatchback and we got 12-13 km/l in mixed conditions.

Baleno

• The 1.2 naturally aspirated engine produces only 88 bhp, but power is linear and progressive.
• The 7” Smart Play Pro system is basic but does a decent job. The sound from the 6 speakers is about average.
• The dark blue and black cabin with silver accents is just that. Hard plastics are everywhere just like the i20 but touch points are covered with soft materials.
• Fabric-covered seats are even in the top model but rear seat comfort is better and there is more legroom.
• Even on broken roads, the car feels more settled and it is due to a softer suspension setup.
• The AMT gearbox is the real Achilles heel and the lag between 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gears can be felt while accelerating or in a sudden overtaking situation.
• Since it’s a Maruti, mileage is not an issue and I got 16 km/l which seems pretty fair.

Point to note on the Baleno.

There is a low transmission whine or hum in the Baleno while at low speeds which I pointed to sales salesperson and he said that’s typical of a Maruti AMT. Not that I did not believe him but to be sure, I tried out the test cars at two other showrooms and it turns out the salesman is right once in a while. When going for any purchase, I remember the famous words “Till you pay the money, you’re king but once you do, they take over”.

We visited Indus Motors Kochi where the recently launched Jimny was the star attraction. We took another extensive test drive of the Baleno and the amt gearbox’s rubber band effect was apparent but other than that it was fine. Since it was Onam season there were quite a few offers and we got a decent discount on the Baleno. With the sale procedures completed, we were promised delivery in three weeks’ time.

We decided to go for the Baleno Zeta Automatic, since it has most of the essential features, like 6 airbags, a 7” infotainment system, alloy wheels, automatic climate control, and projector headlamps. What I really missed from the Alpha variant is the UV glass on all windows, and the new 9” system which has fewer bugs but paying over a lakh for it is ridiculous. We opted for the silver color as the Nexa blue was the default choice for most people and wanted a change.

I did go for a PDI checkup at the Maruti yard when they told me that my allotted car had arrived. I had a look around the outer edges for any scratches or paint imperfections and took some photos of the VIN number, manufacturing date, and engine bay. As I was leaving, I noticed something disturbing, since Maruti sells the largest volume of cars every month, the yard is always filled to the brim. Moving cars in and out is always a challenge and sometimes accidents do happen. This time it was a Maruti Brezza which got its edge ever so slightly bruised, and the paint had come off. I am sure they will buff it off. After witnessing this incident, I told the salesman that I wanted the delivery of my car as soon as possible and in the morning.

We took delivery in a few days and had another check if everything was okay. The delivery process was smooth and with the usual Mauti fanfare we drove out with our new Baleno.

The only accessories that I have added are the seat covers, the fog lights along with the essential bits from the showroom. I would have liked to go for better seat covers but the airbags in the front seats prevented me from taking a risk outside. I called the 3M office and they gave me the number for their outlet in Kochi. I went for 5 years under body and silencer coating. The only item remaining is the steering wheel cover.

As I am writing this, we have covered 1150 Km and with the first service over, the car feels smooth and responsive while driving in and out of town. However, when my wife drives, the speedo gets frozen at 40 - 45Kmph (maximum speed). Still, I am happy she has taken a liking to the car and has started driving it on a regular basis.

We recently visited a Hill station near Thrissur where the Baleno had no problems climbing steep inclines with a full load. Overall we got a reasonable mileage of 17 Km/l which was a pleasant surprise. The return drive was in the nighttime and Baleno’s projector headlights were reasonably bright and the drive was comfortable.

In my short time with the car, there are a few things to note.

Baleno is perfect for regular city use and for short trips. Do not mistake this for a highway cruiser.

Mileage is a strong point and with Maruti’s cost of ownership, it is a good second car to have in your garage.The plastic quality inside the cabin is so-so, maybe I am comparing it with a Honda City which is not fair.

Maruti claims to have improved safety by stiffening the panels and offering 6 airbags but I would not put that theory to test. My Honda City has been rear-ended twice and while we felt a shake in the cabin, there was not that much damage. When the Bharat NCAP results are out we will get a clear picture.

I use wireless Android auto to play music and it plays well but, there was a problem while using Google Maps, especially in town areas. The display reads "GPS signal lost" on the infotainment screen while the mobile displays it perfectly. This happened on our trip while in and out of Thrissur town many times. When inquired at the service center, the reply was it is better to connect through the USB. Defeats the whole purpose of wireless Android auto. Don't know if other users have this problem too.

Anyway, no car is perfect and everything considered I am happy with my purchase.

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We're not considering CNG cars from Tata Motors because their fuel efficiency appears to be on the lower side.

BHPian Kartikaygaur recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hello everyone,

I am currently grappling with a decision between two options: the Brezza ZXI CNG and the Baleno Zeta CNG.

Here's a bit of context regarding my current vehicles:

• Innova Crysta 2.4 VX
• Maruti Alto LXI CNG

The new car I'm considering will replace the Alto LXI, which has primarily served as a city car and has performed adequately thus far. However, it has become a bit too cramped for our needs, prompting us to consider an upgrade.

We've narrowed down our choices to the Brezza ZXI CNG and the Baleno Zeta CNG for the following reasons:

• We trust Maruti Suzuki's reliability.
• Both options are affordable with CNG.
• We're looking for smooth engines that don't need to be overly fancy – just reliable and refined.
• Good mileage is a top priority, which is why we're opting for a CNG car in the first place. We're not considering the Tata CNG options because their mileage appears to be on the lower side.

The dilemma

The Baleno is significantly cheaper by 3 lakhs on the road. It has an attractive appearance, excellent mileage, a rich set of features, and ample space. However, the Baleno falls short primarily in terms of safety and its form factor.

Despite having 6 airbags, I believe the Brezza would be the overall safer choice. Please correct me if I'm mistaken. Should we spend the extra 3L and get the Brezza or save that money and get the Baleno?

Kindly let me know your thoughts and suggestions.

Here's what BHPian Ry_der had to say about the matter:

If the vehicle is to be used on highways, go for Brezza otherwise go for Baleno.

The build quality of Baleno is inarguably on the weaker side but it will compensate with the fuel economy.

Here's what BHPian bijims had to say about the matter:

If mileage is the top priority, along with some safety features like 6 airbags, ESP, and Hill Hold, along with telematics, auto headlamps, driver armrest, etc. it's the Baleno CNG that wins it, it is both cheaper as well as more frugal than the Brezza CNG.

If crashworthiness (GNCAP 4 stars), power, SUV looks, a sunroof, etc. are the priority, then it's the Brezza that's the car to go for.

Assuming, your usage is primarily going to be in the city, and you can live with the hatchback form factor, I would advise you to save the 3 lakhs and go for the more well-rounded Baleno CNG.

Here's what BHPian Shreyans_Jain had to say about the matter:

Brezza has a far superior suspension, resulting in significantly better comfort and handling. Steering feels more natural with a little bit of self-centering action (Baleno has none). Visibility is better. Seating position is more natural. Then there is the bigger engine that provides a more relaxed driving experience.

All this without even talking about the build quality, the superior platform and crash safety. Budget permitting, Brezza is the one to go for.

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It's an all rounder that does lot of things well. It's like a geared automatic - no constant shifting of gears in traffic.

BHPian supremeBaleno recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

The first time I noticed the Baleno was in the TV commercial where the guy misses his flight (or it's delayed ?) & he instead drives down from Delhi to Jaipur for the meeting.

And sometime in the late '90s, though I couldn't then afford it, I thought the car was a total sweet package if not for the fly in the ointment (the rear) & shot off an email to MSIL suggesting they modify just the rear & the car will be a hit.

Come 2005, we had sold off our '85 M800 & were looking for a new car. Almost finalized the WagonR when I happened to take a TD of the Baleno (on a whim, no intention of buying as we didn't need a sedan).

The salesguy not only asked me to floor it on the TidelPark IT highway, but asked me to drive in the hot noon Chennai weather with the driver window rolled down with a/c on & it still felt like a cold cabin. I was so floored by the performance & the bone-chilling a/c that I changed my booking to a Baleno. They don't make car salesmen like that any more.

Bought one new in 2005 and 18years / 1.2L kms later, she is still my daily drive and is as FTD as she was when new. I have done many straight Chennai-KL trips, which it does on a full tank without needing refueling enroute, inspite of 120kms being ghat roads that take me 4hours, while the remaining is smooth-wide TN highways where I let it rip. Goes to prove that you can have your cake (performance) and eat it too (FE).

It's an all rounder that does lot of things well. It's like a geared automatic - no constant shifting of gears in traffic, or to overtake - just point & shoot. A decent handler, while also rendering a cushioned ride for the passengers.

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