Considering the socio-economic structure of India, a budget car topping the overall sales chart is an expected occurrence. But, Maruti Baleno is not a budget car by any stretch of the imagination, yet it often grabs the top spot on the list of best-selling cars in India. Such a feat illustrates how well the Maruti Baleno caters to the requirements of average Indian consumers and it has been doing this for nearly 8 years. With an elegant design, premium cabin, and frugal powertrain, the Maruti Baleno checks most requirements of an ideal urban car, while the low maintenance cost and Maruti’s trust factor do the rest in consistently keeping it the best-selling premium hatchback.
Along with being a popular choice in the new car market, the Maruti Baleno is in huge demand in the used car market. At the same time, when you go for a used model, it is wise to familiarise yourself with the faults that have been commonly found in the Maruti Baleno. So, without further ado, here are the details of all of Baleno’s generations and the points you should check before buying a used Maruti Baleno.
Pre-Owned Maruti Suzuki Generations
First Generation
Maruti launched the first-gen Baleno in October 2015, posing a huge challenge to the likes of the Hyundai i20 and Honda Jazz. It was 3,995 mm long, 1,745 mm wide, 1,500 mm tall and had a wheelbase of 2,520 mm. These dimensions have not changed much till now, making the current-gen Baleno almost the same size as its first generation. At the time, it came equipped with a 1.2-litre K12 petrol engine and a Fiat-sourced 1.25-litre turbo diesel engine. A 5-speed manual gearbox did the transmission duty for both engines, while the petrol engine also had an optional CVT automatic. With this set of powertrains, the Baleno could deliver a mileage of 21.4 km/l from petrol and 27.39 km/l from diesel. In terms of features, the first-gen Baleno has a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, aux and USB, automatic projector headlamps, automatic climate control, push-button start, steering mounted audio controls and voice command system. For safety measures, it featured dual airbags and ABS with EBD as standard. The astonishing practicality and frugal powertrain made Baleno surpass both its rivals overnight and become the best-selling premium hatchback.
In 2017, Maruti added a performance version named Maruti Baleno RS (Road Sport). It was equipped with a 1.0-litre three-cylinder direct injection Boosterjet turbocharged petrol engine mated with a 5-speed manual transmission only. In overall practicality, the Baleno RS was not different from the standard Baleno, but its performance made a huge difference. The sprightly nature of the Boosterjet engine was so impressive for driving enthusiasts that Maruti has finally brought this engine back with the recently-launched Maruti Fronx.
2019 Facelift
By November 2018, the Maruti Baleno had crossed sales figures 5 lakh units and it did this within 38 months after launch. This made the Maruti Baleno the quickest car in India to cross this milestone. To maintain its momentum, Maruti launched the facelifted Baleno in 2019. The facelifted Baleno was mechanically similar to the earlier model but had been given some cosmetic and feature updates. It was a bit more aggressive in appearance and on the inside, it got a dual-tone black-and-blue interior colour scheme. The facelifted Baleno featured a new 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, while the rest of the features were the same as the earlier model.
Ahead of the implementation of BS6 emission norms, Maruti discontinued the Baleno RS in January 2020 and Baleno’s diesel engine in May 2020.
Second Generation
Maruti launched the current-gen Baleno in 2022. It retained its 1.2-litre, four-cylinder, DualJet K12N petrol engine which is now mated with a 5-speed manual and 5-speed AMT (replacing the older model’s CVT unit). The new Maruti Baleno can deliver a mileage of 22.35 – 22.94 km/l, making itself one of the most fuel-efficient petrol cars in India. In terms of features, the second-generation big leap from the earlier model matches the current standards of the segment. It packs a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, voice command support, connected car tech, heads-up display (segment-leading), Arkamys sound system and more. For passenger safety, the Baleno sports up to 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, an electronic stability program (ESP), hill-hold assist, ISOFIX anchorages, rear parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera. A few months after launching the second-gen Baleno, Maruti added CNG-powered variants to Baleno’s line-up. The Maruti Baleno CNG comes with a 5-speed manual transmission and can deliver a mileage of 30.61 km/kg.
What to check on a used Maruti Suzuki Baleno before buying
Defective AC Compressor
Some grinding sounds from the air conditioner have often been reported in the case of the Maruti Baleno. The most common issue here is a defective compressor. As you examine a used Baleno, heed the sound coming from AC. And if there is a problem with the compressor, it needs to be replaced. Generally, the AC compressor is covered by the standard warranty on the model.
Suspension Issues
Many Baleno owners have reported suspension problems which ruin the ride quality expected of a premium hatchback. These problems have been commonly found to be poor shock-absorbing and gruelling noises while crossing bumps and potholes. Some known culprits in such problems are defective bushings, shock absorbers, and struts. While taking a test drive, if you find the jerks easily reaching the rear passengers, it could be a sign of something wrong with the suspension. It will be best to have your vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic and if the car is under warranty, getting the suspension fixed will not cost the owner a penny.
Fail to Reverse
Reports suggest that some Baleno models suffer reversing failure in which the car does not go into reverse. Such a defect directly indicates that something is wrong with the transmission system. Since the transmission system is the most complex part of a car, the occurrence of reversing failure can have several reasons such as low transmission fluid, damaged reverse gear, faulty shifter mechanism, and more. Whether you are buying an automatic or manual model, examine the smoothness of gear-shifting and check the functionality of all gears.
Rattling Sound from Gearbox
Many Baleno owners have reported some rattling sound coming from the gearbox at high speeds. And this sound vanishes as soon as the clutch is applied. The culprit here is the shearing of bolts on the end plate of the gearbox. This causes the plate to move and rub against the gears. This defect needs to be fixed at the early stages as it can cause excessive strain on the gears. If you find this defect while taking a test drive, make sure it is fixed before going ahead with the deal.
Misfiring Engine & Poor idling
The failure of ignition coils has often been found in the case of Baleno. And with this defect, the car misfires and the engine idles sporadically despite the constant revs. To fix this issue, the ignition coils should be replaced.
Engine Stall
It has often been found that the engine on Baleno stalls. While there can be many internal faults in this case, the most found one is a broken Integrated Starter Generator Belt which is a key part of the idle start/stop system. In this case, the ISG belt needs to be replaced with a new one for the engine to stop stalling.
Summary
The Maruti Baleno is on a prosperous journey in India and has already sold over 12 lakh units. While such sales figures speak volumes about the demand for Baleno, if you are looking for a used Baleno it will be wise to understand the faults that you may find. Many of the defects like defective AC compressor, loose end plate on gearbox, and defective horn can be easily fixed, but if they are recurring in a model, it is best to walk away from such a deal. All in all, the Maruti Baleno has proven itself a praiseworthy pick both as a new or used car and if you find a used Baleno in good condition, rest assured you are making the right choice.
