Maruti Suzuki Baleno Vs Tata Altroz: Comparing Variants Under Rs 10 Lakh for the Safety-Conscious Buyer
For a safety-conscious buyer, it is important to consider the safest cars, or top safety-rated cars in India, when purchasing a vehicle. Today, we look at the premium hatchbacks, Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Tata Altroz, in terms of their safety aspects.
In this article, we will share
- What a safety-conscious buyer looks for in a car
- Maruti Suzuki Baleno vs Tata Altroz – an in-depth look at their safety features, ratings, and driver assistance features
- How to pick the right car for you
What a Safety-Conscious Buyer Looks for in a Car
Here’s what a safety-conscious buyer should look for in a car:
- Safety – What safety features does the car have? What is its safety rating?
- Driver assistance – Does the car have features like parking camera, rear parking sensors, follow-me-home headlights, etc.
- Space – Does the car have enough interior space?
A safety-conscious buyer emphasizes features that protect passengers and mitigate road risks. Key considerations include airbags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and crucially, Global NCAP (GNCAP) rating, which measures a vehicle’s crashworthiness.
Other factors like visibility, high-speed stability, and quality of headlights are vital too in the best cars with safety features. These attributes offer responsive control, minimize collision risks, and ensure robust protection for drivers and passengers if accidents occur.
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Why Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Tata Altroz are Popular
Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Tata Altroz are recognized for their combination of safety features and affordability in the Rs 9 lakh to Rs 10 lakh range.
The Tata Altroz, with a 5-star GNCAP rating, stands out for its excellence in safety, offering ABS, fog lights, and high-speed stability. In contrast, the Baleno’s variants provide up to 6 airbags, ABS, and ESC, but it falls short with a 0-star GNCAP rating.
Websites like teambhp.com and autocarindia.com highlight the strengths and weaknesses of these models in terms of safety. The Altroz’s commendable GNCAP rating and Baleno’s focus on other safety aspects make them notable choices for safety-minded buyers.
Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Tata Altroz Variants Shortlist in Rs 9-10 Lakh Range
For Maruti Suzuki Baleno, we have:
| Variant | Price (INR) as on 9 August 2023 |
|---|---|
| Zeta CNG | ₹ 928,000 |
| Alpha | ₹ 933,000 |
| Alpha AMT | ₹ 988,000 |
For Tata Altroz, we have:
| Variant | Price (INR) as on 9 August 2023 |
|---|---|
| XTA DCT | ₹ 910,000 |
| XT Diesel | ₹ 935,000 |
| XZ Plus Turbo | ₹ 960,000 |
Maruti Suzuki Baleno Zeta CNG
Although offering 6 airbags, ABS, and stable high-speed stability, its 0-star GNCAP rating is a significant concern for safety-focused buyers.
Maruti Suzuki Baleno Alpha
With 6 airbags, ABS, ESC, and LED headlights, this variant covers various safety needs but lacks a solid GNCAP rating.
Maruti Suzuki Baleno Alpha AMT
Similar to the Alpha variant, it offers additional automatic transmission and crash warning but also lacks in GNCAP rating.
Tata Altroz XTA DCT
With a 5-star GNCAP rating, ABS, and high-speed stability, this variant stands strong, though only offering 2 airbags.
Tata Altroz XT Diesel
This variant ensures a stable high-speed ride with a 5-star GNCAP rating but falls short with only 2 airbags.
Tata Altroz XZ Plus Turbo
It shares the 5-star GNCAP rating, stable high-speed stability, and 2 airbags, offering a balanced safety option within Tata Altroz.
Our Pick for the Best Variant among Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Tata Altroz for Safety-Conscious Buyers
The Tata Altroz XZ Plus Turbo is the best option for a safety conscious buyer. Boasting a 5-star GNCAP rating, this variant demonstrates exceptional crashworthiness.
While only having 2 airbags, it provides ABS, fog lights, stable high-speed stability, and additional driver assistance features. The Altroz models, with their superior GNCAP ratings, overshadow the Baleno’s 0-star rating, despite Baleno’s other safety features.
The XZ Plus Turbo variant’s balance of safety, performance, and price make it the most appealing choice for those prioritizing safety.
The Top 3 Choices
- Tata Altroz XZ Plus Turbo
- Tata Altroz XT Diesel
- Tata Altroz XTA DCT
The top three choices exclusively feature Tata Altroz variants due to their 5-star GNCAP ratings, setting them apart in the safety domain.
| Attribute | Altroz XZ Plus Turbo | Altroz XT Diesel | Altroz XTA DCT |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Airbags (number) | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| GNCAP Rating | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Fog lights | Yes | No | Yes |
| High-Speed Stability | Stable | Stable | Minimal |
| Rear Parking Sensors | Yes | Yes | Yes |
How to Pick the Right Car for You
The XZ Plus Turbo leads with a blend of safety and performance.
The XT Diesel and XTA DCT offer strong safety features within the budget range.
Despite limited airbags, the consistent GNCAP ratings across these variants reinforce their suitability for safety-conscious buyers, presenting robust options for those seeking confidence and peace of mind on the road.
If you’re interested in reading more such face-to-face comparisons of popular car variants, head over to our Buying Advice section.
Also read: Upcoming 2022 Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza rendered