2015 Maruti Baleno review, road test

Ticks all the right boxes and gives best bang for the buck.The Baleno is a practical and capable hatchback that ticks all the right boxes. It looks very stylish, has the right proportions and comes with a comfortable, well-equipped cabin. No doubt, it has raised the game for Maruti in the premium hatchback segment, but is it a game changer? The design doesn’t break the mould in any way and the interiors too aren’t very exciting. What you do get with the new Baleno are a couple of ‘firsts’ in areas of connectivity (debut of Apple CarPlay in India), safety (airbags and ABS standard across range) and a new lightweight chassis (for unbeatable fuel economy). However, the Baleno’s bid to be seen as a premium offering has ironically been undermined by a bargain price. The Baleno gives you the maximum bang for your buck and that’s the most compelling reason to buy one.