Should you buy a used Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS?

GOOD FOR: Performance, Spacious cabin

LOOK OUT FOR: Expensive spares, Interior rattles

With the Fronx compact crossover, Maruti’s Boosterjet turbo-petrol engine is making a comeback to India after over 3 years. If you want the performance it offers without having to shell out over Rs 10 lakh, which the Fronx is expected to be priced at, a used Baleno RS is the way to go. But before you go ahead and buy one, there’s some things to consider.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS design, engine and gearbox

Maruti’s first and only crack at a performance hatchback, the Baleno RS was first launched in 2017 to go up against the likes of the Volkswagen Polo GT and the Fiat Punto Abarth. In order to differentiate it from the run-of-the-mill Baleno, Maruti gave the RS a revised grille, sportier bumpers, RS badges, blacked-out headlamps, side skirts and alloys. And it wasn’t just a cosmetic job either as Maruti also stiffened the chassis and suspension, and gave the RS rear disc brakes to shed speed quicker.

But the most significant upgrade the RS got over the standard Baleno was, of course, the engine. The RS is powered by a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine from Suzuki’s Boosterjet family, developing 102hp and 150Nm of torque. The motor is detuned for India as it puts out 111hp in international markets. The RS could be had with a five-speed manual gearbox only.

Fuel efficiency wasn’t the RS’ strong suit. In our fuel efficiency test, we got 9.7kpl in town and 17kpl on the highway, and the combined figure stood at 7.5kpl when driven spiritedly. You have to remember that this is not your average ‘fuel efficiency first’ Maruti. Turbo-petrols are very sensitive to driving style and need very precise throttle inputs to extract efficiency.

What to look out for in a second-hand Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS

Expensive spares

Given that the RS’ BoosterJet engine was imported, parts can be a costly affair – injectors and spark plugs are known to cost multiple times more than on the regular Baleno. However, thanks to the upcoming Fronx, Maruti will build this unit here so prices and availability would improve.

Interior rattles

A few owners have complained about rattles from interior panels. On a test drive, go through a rough patch of road and listen for any rattles emerging from the interior, especially from the door cards or the area behind the dashboard.

Touchscreen

If you are looking at a pre-facelift model, make sure the touchscreen operates smoothly. The older car’s 7-inch SmartPlay system is known to lag and glitch on occasion, so check that it functions properly.

The Baleno RS was popular among enthusiasts, who in some cases made some modifications to their cars. Before purchasing, ensure that the car is stock and also check the condition of the brakes and tyres as they will wear out quickly when driven spiritedly.

Second-hand Maruti Suzuki Baleno RS price and resale value

Rs 5 lakh-7 lakh

For pre-facelift models, look to spend anywhere between Rs 5 lakh-6 lakh, and for the facelifted model, ideally, you shouldn’t spend over Rs 7 lakh. Being a Maruti, sellers will ask for a higher price, but, as the RS is not in high demand, you can haggle to reduce the price.

Also see:

Should you buy a used Kia Sonet?

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