Maruti Baleno vs Toyota Glanza: Premium Hatchback Twins Compared (2024) | Family Buyer's Guide

Top Reasons for Consideration

Maruti Suzuki Baleno Zeta:

1. Spacious Interior: Well-designed cabin offers ample family comfort.

2. Excellent Fuel Efficiency: ARAI-rated 22.35 kmpl ensures economical running costs.

3. Feature-Rich: Comprehensive set of convenience and safety features.

4. Extensive Service Network: Maruti Suzuki's widespread presence ensures convenient maintenance.

5. Improved Ride Quality: New suspension setup offers enhanced comfort.

Toyota Glanza G:

1. Identical Fuel Efficiency: Shares the same ARAI-rated 22.35 kmpl as the Baleno.

2. Toyota's Reliability Reputation: Known for long-term dependability.

3. Feature Set: Matches the Baleno in most aspects, including automatic climate control.

4. Enhanced Safety: 6 airbags provide comprehensive protection.

5. Refined Powertrain: Smooth 4-cylinder engine suitable for various driving conditions.

Who wins the numbers game?

1. Pricing:

- Baleno Zeta: Rs. 843,000

- Glanza G: Rs. 878,000 (4.15% more expensive)

2. Engine Performance (identical for both):

- 1.2L petrol engine

- 88.50bhp@6000rpm

- 113Nm@4400rpm

3. Fuel Efficiency:

- Both offer 22.35 kmpl (ARAI-rated)

4. Dimensions (identical for both):

- Length: 3990mm

- Width: 1745mm

- Height: 1500mm

- Wheelbase: 2520mm

5. Boot Capacity:

- Both offer 318 liters

6. Weight:

- Both range from 920-955 kg

Exterior Design:

Both the Maruti Suzuki Baleno Zeta and Toyota Glanza G share a fundamentally identical design, with a flatter, wider bonnet and a larger grille. The LED headlamps feature a new three-block Daytime Running Lamps signature, enhancing the visual width. Subtle differences may exist in grille design and badging, but these are minimal. The shared modern and premium look will appeal equally to style-conscious families.

Interior and Comfort:

Step inside either vehicle, and the significantly transformed interior will catch your eye. The new dashboard design features bold use of blue and dark grey primary plastics, complemented by glossy light grey and piano black accents. Material quality has noticeably improved, potentially leading the class. Both cars offer:

- Enhanced front seats with better lateral and shoulder support

- Well-contoured rear seats with excellent space

- The Glanza G shares these interior improvements, offering a similar level of comfort and quality, with additional features like a front center armrest with slide and a seat back pocket for the co-driver..

Driving Experience:

Both the Baleno Zeta and Glanza G utilize the same K12N engine, offering:

- Decent initial acceleration, ideal for city driving

- A slight mid-range lull before regaining power around 4,000rpm

- Good refinement with well-contained engine and road noise

- Light clutch action and smooth, short throws in the manual transmission, enhancing urban drivability

Practicality:

With identical dimensions and layouts, both cars offer similar levels of practicality:

- 318 liters of boot space, adequate for most family needs

- 60:40 split-folding rear seats for added versatility

Feature Comparison

1. Infotainment:

- Both: 7-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

2. Safety:

- Both: 6 airbags, ABS, and EBD as standard

3. Comfort Features:

- Both: Automatic climate control, rear AC vents, keyless entry

4. Connectivity:

- Baleno Zeta: Suzuki Connect with remote functions

- Glanza G: Toyota i-Connect

Persona-Price Based Recommendation

1. Cost Savings: The Baleno Zeta is 4.15% more affordable, offering a significant price advantage of Rs. 35,000.

2. Feature Parity: Both cars offer nearly identical features, making the lower-priced option more attractive.

3. Extensive Service Network: Maruti Suzuki's widespread presence can lead to more convenient and potentially more affordable maintenance.

4. Proven Track Record: The Baleno has been a popular choice in this segment, indicating good market acceptance and potential for strong resale value.

However, the Toyota Glanza G remains a strong alternative if:

- Toyota's brand reputation for reliability is a priority for you

- You find better deals or extended warranty offers from Toyota at the time of purchase

- A Toyota service center is more conveniently located for you