The heavily updated Maruti Suzuki Baleno will see a market launch in February. The new Baleno is the first of the long list of Maruti Suzuki Arena and Nexa models that will be updated this year.
The Baleno has consistently been the bestselling hatchback in its segment, and following its mid-life update in 2019, the Baleno now gets a completely overhauled exterior and interior, although it will remain mechanically unchanged from the outgoing model.
- Cosmetic updates on 2022 Baleno include a new front and rear fascia and other bits
- Interior updated with new dashboard, larger screen and more features
- Will be powered by 83hp, 1.2-litre and 90hp, 1.2-litre mild-hybrid petrol engines
2022 Maruti Suzuki Baleno: exterior design
The 2022 Baleno facelift gets a completely overhauled face with a larger and wider grille that extends into the headlamp assembly. The headlamps, too, are completely new with an L-shaped wraparound design and new LED daytime running lamp signatures. The front bumper also looks a lot sharper and gets a wider central air intake and newly designed fog lamp housings.
In profile, the 2022 Baleno gets a new chrome lining around the glass house that now curves upwards around the rear quarter glass area. It also gets sheet metal changes to the rear doors and fender to accommodate the newly designed tail-lamps. At the rear, the new Baleno gets sleeker L-shaped tail-lamps, a reprofiled rear bumper and a newly designed tailgate. Overall, the new Baleno has a wider stance and adopts a sharper styling approach as opposed to the curvy design of the outgoing model.
2022 Maruti Suzuki Baleno: interior and features
Just like the outside, the interior of the new Baleno has also been completely overhauled. It now gets an all-new dashboard with a layered design and brushed aluminium inserts, with a larger 9-inch free-standing touchscreen taking centre stage. The AC vents get a sleeker look and have now been positioned horizontally below the infotainment screen. It also gets new switchgear for the climate controls, a flat-bottomed steering wheel from the Swift and a new instrument cluster with a revised MID.
A big addition to the equipment list will be Maruti’s new infotainment system, which, according to insiders, will come with an on-board SIM allowing for a suite of connected car features, such as geofencing, real-time tracking, find your car, intrusion detection, tow away alert and more. This new system, debuted with the all-new S-Cross in Europe late last year, will be the first for any Maruti model in India. It is expected to eventually be offered on all updated models as well. Other notable feature additions could include cruise control, automated headlamps and wipers, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and more.
While the Baleno always had one of the most spacious and comfortable interiors in its class, the updated model is expected to step things up in terms of quality of material.
2022 Maruti Suzuki Baleno: engine and gearbox options
Under the hood, the Baleno facelift will remain unchanged from the outgoing model. It will continue to be powered by the current pair of 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engines – an 83hp standard unit and a 90hp mild-hybrid unit. Transmission choices of the 5-speed manual and CVT automatic gearboxes will also remain unchanged.
2022 Maruti Suzuki Baleno: rivals and expected price
When launched, the new Baleno will continue its rivalry against the Hyundai i20, Tata Altroz, Honda Jazz and the Volkswagen Polo.. Given all the upgrades, expect a significant step up in the price of the Baleno, which is currently priced between Rs 5.99 lakh–9.45 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
Are you excited for the launch of the all-new Maruti Baleno? Let us know in the comments below.
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