Maruti Suzuki launched the Baleno, a five-door premium hatchback, introduced to the domestic market back in October 2015. After which its next generation goes on sale in February 2022, which is set to get an update in September 2026. The carmaker has confirmed that the facelift’s launch will take place on the 5th of the month.
Prior to the launch, it has been spotted testing on public roads. The spy shots floating on social media show the sedan wrapped with the zebra camo trying to hide the exterior design. The spied images hint that it has received major upgrades on the front end and rear, and the sides are anticipated to remain the same as the one already on sale in the Indian market.
Upfront, we may get to see a new front grille with the horizontal center bar giving it a refreshed look; the boomerang-shaped LED daylight running light and slim main headlamps are anticipated to be continued, adding a futuristic touch; and the bumper-integrated round fog lamps are anticipated to be deleted to make the front fascia less cluttered.
On the sides, a new set of alloy wheels is anticipated to enhance the road presence and give a distinct side look. In profile, the mechanical door handles and front-door-mounted outside rear-view mirror with the slim LED blinkers, flared wheel arches, and blacked-out pillars are set to be continued.
At the rear, a new bumper is expected to improve the rear styling and make it more appealing than the previous model. The back set retains the roof-integrated spoiler with a braking light, taillamps on the edges, the Suzuki logo on the tailgate, and the bumper-integrated horizontal-shape reflector.
One of the recently spied images of the test mule also gives a little blurred interior view from the second-row side windscreen, which hints that the cabin’s dashboard may remain the same as the existing one with trapezoid-shaped air-conditioning vents below the 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system at the center of the dashboard and a three-spoke D-shaped steering wheel with physical buttons.
Upgrades inside the cabin are also expected, but it has yet to be revealed what changes or upgrades it is going to get. Reports suggest that it may offer a single-pane sunroof and ambient lighting on the dashboard, because these features are offered with its rivals. It is certain that it will get new upholstery to enhance the cabin’s aesthetic and more soft-touch trims for the dashboard and doors.
Most of the interior features that are offered with the current one are set to be continued, such as automatic climate control, which maintains the cabin temperature to keep the occupants comfortable; auto-dimming IRVMs to get a clear view of traffic behind through the rear windshield; and a six-speaker sound system for an immersive audio experience.
The dimensions are set to remain the same, as it is a facelift, not a new generation. The length, width, and height are 3,990 mm, 1,745 mm, and 1,500 mm, respectively, with the wheelbase of 2,520 mm and ground clearance of 170 mm. As a five-seater, it will feature the same boot space of 318 liters behind the second row. The turning radius is 4.85 meters.
The existing powertrains with the front-wheel-drive drivetrain are set to be continued. Under the hood, it is set to get a 1.2-liter, 4-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol-powered internal combustion engine with two different transmission options, which are the five-speed manual and five-speed automated manual. The ICE generates the maximum power of 90 hp and peak torque of 113 Nm.
The facelift will also be available as a CNG version, getting the same ICE as pure petrol but with only a five-speed manual transmission, generating 77.5 hp power and 98.5 Nm torque. No details regarding its price are available in the public domain; we are expecting it to cost ex-showroom between 6.49 lakh and 9.99 lakh rupees, depending on the variant.