The Baleno is the top-selling premium hatchback in India despite rivals like the Hyundai i20 and Tata Altroz.
The Maruti Suzuki Baleno became the best-selling premium hatchback in the Indian market. Since its launch in 2015, the premium hatchback has notched up impressive numbers in the country. According to the automaker, Baleno achieved the 10 lakh sales milestone despite stiff competition from rivals like Hyundai and Tata in the highly competitive hatchback segment. The hatchback waiting period is almost six weeks which illustrates the popularity in the country.
Baleno contributes more than half of the total sales of the premium Nexa retail sales channel in India. As per the data released in the public sphere, the stylish Baleno hatchback commands 62.54 percent of total Nexa sales. We break down the top factors behind Maruti Suzuki Baleno’s popularity in the country.
Feature-rich Baleno hatchback cabin
The new dashboard design is an upgrade with the blue and dark grey primary plastics for a more aesthetic appeal. The first thing you would notice in the dual-tone cabin is the segment-leading SmartPlay Pro+ infotainment and features like Suzuki Connect, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. Not just that, there are segment-first features like 360 View Camera and Head-Up Display (HUD). Lending a luxurious appeal to the cabin is the inclusion of new elements like central AC vents and speaker grilles.
New Safety features
Apart from bolstering the chassis and body, the manufacturer has added \new safety features. The top two variants come with six airbags, while all the AMT trims boast ESP. Apart from the tweaks, there are standard offerings like dual airbags at the front, ABS with EBD, ISOFIX child mounts, and rear parking sensors.
Maruti Suzuki Baleno performance
The all-new Maruti Suzuki Baleno gives a smoother driving experience due to the 1.2 liter K12N petrol engine. The engine with the newer DualJet and Dual VVT technologies delivers 82 Bhp of peak power and 113 Nm of peak torque. The K12N petrol motor with the fuel-saving ISS (Idle Start-Stop) function offers better fuel efficiency of 22.35 Kmpl for the Manual trims and 22.94 Kmpl for the auto gear shift variants.
The reliability factor of Maruti Suzuki
Another reason behind the Baleno’s popularity is the Maruti proven ownership experience. Maruti offers access to an extensive network of dealerships and service centers in the country. Maruti cars have earned the tag of lower Total cost of ownership and reliability. Maruti cars are known for being easy on the pocket to maintain. Currently, the Baleno retails in Maruti’s Nexa range of dealerships that give an appeal of affordable and premium buying and owning.
Baleno price
With the improvements and new features, the new Maruti Suzuki Baleno starts at Rs 6.61 lakh (ex-showroom, India), with the top-end variant reaching the figure of Rs 9.88 lakh (ex-showroom, India). Despite the price hike, the all-new Baleno hatchback is very competitive as only Tata Altroz is priced lower in the premium hatchback segment. Visit CarLelo.com to buy a new Baleno car and get better deals.
Summary
Every manufacturer wants to strike gold in the automobile market in a similar way that Maruti achieved with Baleno. Since its launch in October 2015, Baleno has been notching impressive sales every year. Maruti Suzuki Baleno has been a runaway leader in the premium hatchback thanks to a combination of features, stylish design, and competitive pricing. The 2022 Baleno has ensured that it remains the top-selling premium hatchback in the country for the coming years.