Suzuki Baleno in-depth review - Carbuyer
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- Опубликовано: 7 сен 2024
- Suzuki is expanding its supermini range with this five-door Suzuki Baleno, which will sit alongside the well-known Suzuki Swift. It's not the most stylish-looking car inside or out, but it's very spacious and comes with plenty of kit and a great engine, so you're getting a lot of car for your money.
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I own one for nearly 3 months. Drove it like 2200 miles already and can provide first-hand impressions :) I have the 1.2 petrol, 90hp, manual gearbox. It's sold without the "mild hybrid" in my country, which I preferred. The positives: 1) The price of buying and using. Car is cheap to buy and by far the best equipped for the price in it's class. Here (Bulgaria) it comes with Nav system, rear-view cam, adaptive cruise control and auto A/C at 13 500 euro. Only Skoda Rapid hatch offered something close in equipment/price (it was still like 10-12% more expensive), all other brands wanted way more money for these gadgets ;) It's also cheap to run. The tax is small (guess it varies in other countries). Driving at 80-90 km/h on 2-lane roads gave me actual fuel consumption of 4,0l/100km, which I find very impressive. On the highway, driving 120-130km/h with A/C on full time, the consumption was 5,1l/100km, still very good. In the city it burns 6,0l/100km, which i find reasonable. 2) Legroom. It has very good legroom for the back seat passengers. I'm nearly 6'2" (187 cm to be precise) and my brother, who is 6'0" can sit behind me without touching the back of driver's seat. I went in several showrooms and tested the space in other models in Segment B (the Supermini) like Skoda Fabia, Ford B-max, Hyundai i20 Active and even Mazda CX-3. All had less legroom at the back. I find this very impressive and a strong selling point for the Baleno. (A note here - the headroom at the back is OK, but not as impressive). 3) The size. The car is very compact at a notch under 4m. I find this an advantage in the city, especially when parking. (But it really NEEDS it's rear-view camera, because the back-window is so high and so tight, one can see nothing through it.) 4) Ease of use. The controls are logical and simple enough, the touch-screen is not laggy (I have the 7-inch one), the adjustments of driving position and things like brightness of the dash are more than adequate. I drove it at night numerous times and find the headlights to be good. In all - I had no trouble adapting from my previous car to the Baleno. The negatives so far: 1) Used materials. The plastic in the cabin is hard and scratchy. I already have some permanent scratches at the inside lower portion of the driver's door from my shoes. And the other material I do not like is the thin metal the whole exterior is made of. Alas - a weakness of most modern cars in my opinion 2) Noise in the cabin at high speeds. The Baleno is very light (about 950kg) and I believe some of the weight was saved on noise insulation. It is not unbearable, don't get me wrong. But I find 130-135 km/h to be the limit in terms of comfort, a subjective, individual assessment, of course. (A note here - a lot of the noise is made by the tires it comes with, a budget model by Bridgestone. So this part is "improvable" by the user). As a conclusion - sorry for the long post :) I tried to be objective. So far I do not regret choosing the Baleno. Hope all this is helpful to anyone :)
Great user review, even better than some of the videos analyzing the car 😊
They are made and designed in India :))
Thank you 🤗
Thanks for excellent review. Test drove last weekend. Found the steering does not self correct after U-turns, feels very light given its size - suspension issue maybe - and agree about the less-than-luxe feel in the cabin. Replacing a 12 year old Belta so all the techy bells and whistles seem space-age to me. All this said, the purchase and operating (maintenance, gas mileage) value for money is unbeatable in my market so will will likely be my pick.
My Baleno has the 1.4 L engine. I absolutely adore this car. Lots of space and very frugal. Driving long distances on the open road at 100 km/h uses only 3.8 l/100 km. Fantastic value for money!!!
l'm a recent convert to Suzuki cars. They're technically clever, competitively priced, practical, fuel efficient and well screwed together. I don't understand the fixation that motoring journo's have with banging on about soft touch plastics. Who cares? Who actually goes around feeling their dashboard?? All sounds a bit pervy if you ask me...
Peter Growcott it does matter to some people including me
I'm not a dash perv. I've got one and can't fault it. Good on fuel and does what it says on the tin.
Dashboard made from hard plastic? Just terrible! For 10,000 lbs we expect soft, premium leather and a Burmester surround sound system. What were they thinking? Just appalling!!!
And all that crap about cup holders and USBs. Want a car not kitchen with latest electronics lol
Apparently soft plastics help deaden noise, but this is rarely mentioned when they go on about it.
not a bad looking car.
though I'll never get the point in reviews when they complain about the feel of plastics - who actually strokes there plastic dash?
Also. It feels cheap.
Yeah. It is.
I agree. does anyone remember cars from the 60s when the dash was all metal and part of the cars bodywork?
I thought the review missed all of the important points. It seems that all the reviewers swap cliches..... hard plastic, not as much fun to drive as a ford fiesta, high boot lip etc etc. I dont know about you, but I do not even touch my dashboard and I've never found fiestas fun to drive. For me the interesting points about this car are the adaptive cruise and the radar stop, which only got a cursory mention and were not tested. He is to reviewing what Ghengis JKhan was to diplomacy. Please get a mind of your own, do a thorough review and avoid cliches.
Just got the Baleno with the 1 litre engine. I love it. Moves like a dream. Engine is very quick on the uptake.
I had a Suzuki Celerio which was a decent little car and had a Baleno loaned me whilst my car was in for a service. It was very nice…roomy, comfortable and quite nippy. Not sure what engine it had but it was very quiet. I’ve got a company car now and my wife drives a Fiat 500…but when we both retire in a few years we will looking to run one car only…and the Baleno will be a contender.
Suzuki's 6 AT is 100% much better than VW, Audi 1.0 DSG or Ford 1.0 powershift series, at least you won't stuck on road and spend a lot of money and time to get repair. fuel efficiency and economical reliablity is everything.
I agree with everything.
there´ll be an elephant in the car, with all those sweets and crisps.
Design is great, nothing to even complain about! Come on, ppl!
He's a good reviewer. I don't like the sarcasm. I preffer the constructive criticism. This video shows that!!! Loved it!
I don't know why there is so much criticism for this guy - his reviews are always very good
this guy is amazing reviewer.. most of carbuyer reviewers are very lively.. nice
They are doing great for the reviews. But that accents tho. Sometimes need little bit "extra" focus to get understand. CMIIW...
James you are a great reviewer... Ignore those pathetic haters :) I enjoyed this review a lot (as well as all your others) :):)
I like his reviews too, he has a sense of quirkiness about him. Plus Carbuyer's subscription numbers are holding up despite some moaning that Mat has left
If Suzuki was still in America, they could turn this into a crossover and it would sell like hotcakes.
I agree - James is concise, fair and intelligent.
I searched for a UK Baleno review about ten minutes ago with no luck, then Subscriptions comes good! Thanks Carbuyer!
just got this boy and I LOVE IT
Why you need to scratch the plastic in cars. the plastic is not scratchy if you don't scratch it.
I own a car with injected plastics in the dash and I never ever touch them to see how they feel.... It's a stupid new idea maybe froma Capitalism? I'm not sure.
In India, the Suzuki Baleno gets a twin brother called the Toyota Glanza, due to a vehicle sharing agreement between Suzuki and Toyota. The Toyota Glanza is made in India by Maruti Suzuki.
Fluent and coherent reviewer .... a kind of post modern Quentin Wilson from back in the day.
This guy speech n reviewing style start to grow on me.. He reminds me with Quentin Wilson..
Dacia Sandero meets Seat Ibiza.
To be fair, the grille has roughly the same shape as that of an Ibiza, and the logo is quite similar as well.
Firemarioflower Some liquid, apparently.
But seriously, disregarding the bit where the grille turns into a thin line and goes towards the headlights, it's the same.
Firemarioflower Our eyes differ then. I quite agree that the Baleno is great, if a little saltless.
Some of Audi's designs are brilliant. The A4 of around 2006 was a brilliant exercise in timeless design, the previous A6 Avant is a perfectly proportioned estate, one of the prettiest in history, the A5 is clearly gorgeous and the R8 is very good-looking as well. Unfortunately, they held on to the same design language for too long, They don't even remotely excite me anymore. Mind you, the same goes for Mercedes' current designs.
Firemarioflower New Mercs don't look like old ones indeed, but they do look to much alike which means they don't excite me anymore. Plus, they're too complicated. But likewise, I loved the previous E-Class. And, before that, I loved the E39 5-Series, but the E61 is awful.
Firemarioflower The E-Class is at least the boxiest of the three. It's not as stumpy as the C and not as pompous as the S. That said, it should've been a better design. At least the GL models are easier to tell apart, but that does not apply for the two GL Coupés.
The design is too erratic and complicated. Too many unnecessary lines, it's baroque in a bad way.
Likewise, I don't like the erratic design of the E60. Its iDrive is also a nightmare, and reliability is questionable especially on the (otherwise brilliant) M5.
The E39 is an amazing exercise in simple, timeless design. All BMWs have a phase where they're cars for drug dealers, cars of poor taste (when new, they're classy and when old, they're classic, but there's a bad spot in between). The E36 is currently going through that phase, the E30 just got out of it. The E60 is already suffering from this problem, the E39 still isn't. That's what timeless design can do for a Beamer.
I still quite like the way the F10 (or F11, I'm not sure) looks, it's a bit more simple. It looks more simple anyway.
He wore those trousers on purpose didn't he?
Yes, yes you would, you eccentric trouser tester.
He is just jealous he knows he can pull that look off
The trousers are OK (even though it's not a sunny day of june...). The problem is that those trousers demand a different jacket
"My trousers are demanding!"
Simon, go buy a sense of humor
It's stylish inside, the material quality is far better than a much more expensive Toyota yaris
The Swift may not have a bigger boot or be as spacious. But, it certainly drives and looks better in every which way.
Neither is true.
I bought the 2017 Baleno 1.2 ISG Hybrid just 3 weeks ago. Its super comfortable, responsive engine plus very economical. Unfortunately the plastics inside are garbage, its already falling apart and scratching everywhere even though taking special care. Had to take it twice to the dealership, the centre light just fell off whilst driving on a sleeping police and the mirror cover fell off whilst cleaning. For that price, I somehow expected it. Btw... Put a plastic bottle in the holder and there comes the scratches.
I've a 2012 1.2 Ka which only has 69hp.. Dying for a faster but still small daily & considering this. Newer cars are mostly massive. This one is like an 08 Bravo I had before.
Suzuki cars are underrated. Their engines are very reliable, N.A are almost bullet proof. Their 1.0 boosterjet (turbo) is extremely reliable. 1000 times better than VW and ford fancy three pots sh*** holes. Suzuki has always scored low on plastic and body quality.
Even though I'm not in the market for a supermini I still found this video very enjoyable. Hopefully we can expect a review of the new NSX when it hits the UK?
1.2l is the best have it in my dzire and can truly trust it!!!!
Never trust men in yellow trousers!
Except the man in the yellow hat
Very good reviw. Nice car! Well done.
It's bigger than the Swift, and lighter? How did Suzuki work that?
I had a Suzuki rental car when I took my car in for a service a while ago and was actually pleasantly surprised with the quality of the car - it really wasn't bad, but their cars are just too small for me.
Love the classic British accent..:)
2:07. That sound shows its quality level. Good car though...
Ruben FZ so perfectionist 😂
You commented the same thing in other video....😔
Suzuki has a dealer in the Indian market. High time Suzuki reconsidered its association with the Maruti and unvieled many of its products, which the former is loathe to introduce to the Indian market.
does any one else remember how to read a map besides my self you know like back in the day before there where computers in every thing !
James you are a truly great very informative presenter... Carry on !
The elephant in the room for this car is Dacia Sandero or Logan. Similar power, 90 HP on TCE or DCI engines , cheaper to buy slightly faster as well than the Baleno. In England I will consider the Baleno over Dacia for the single reason that you can get Baleno with auto gearbox but Dacia uk refuses to bring the Easy R transmission available anywhere else in Europe.
Dacia can t even be in the same sentence with Suzuki.
The rear looks like the new ford Ka+ and the dash resembles that of the fiesta, focus and other fords
The styling puts me in mind of the 1992-97 Toyota Corolla. This car is definitely the plain and chubby older sibling to the the Swift. I'd take the Swift every time. It's not spacious but at least it doesn't look like it was designed 20 years ago.
It's like he's channelling Quentin Wilson, to all the Millennials just look up old TopGear, I mean REALLY old.
+James Batchelor I always liked Quentin's sections on TopGear, the man with the most common sense.
FIAT like design, its not in Suzuki tradition...
Good review.
great car..
This will be a best seller!
Looking back this car was a flop here in the UK.
@@renaultlover1 It's a shame isn't it.... Suzuki didn't get the marketing right and it didn't have the right features on offer :(
remember the Baleno chocolate bar. it was kind of like a twix but healthier.
Every video I ask where James the Goth remains, I think I have to accept that he is gone and might be back in the winter. Anyways, great review as always, thanks :)
I can't hear him over those trousers
James... you said it figits around and rolls. And your saying is comfortable at the end. (slow clap).
Great review man, though sth sounded odd, lots of rollover, but firm suspension? Doesn't quite comply.
gonna buy it
Here in Japan, we can't get no MT transmissions. How sad.
What about the quality of the metal sheets and chassis? Is it very filmsy?
Ahhh, the bag of crisps has made an appearance once again👈 Seems like you get a lot of car for the money here, too bad Suzuki pulled out of the U.S. a couple years ago, always thought the cars were solid!
Isn't it four wheel drive? Something not mentioned in the review?
Modern day Rover 25!
how come we have two on screen logos ? the one on the left is best for me.
James doesn't sit properly in the back seats when demonstrating the head room in the back seats. He kinda stoops forward talking and doesn't actually rest his head on the head rest like a person would usually do.
What's the best small cheap car?
Let's do a drag race
Sandero vs baleno
Buy second hand car, mods it!
The Suzuki should Include Soft Touch Materials and a better looking Interior
Complaining about design wearing those pants?
I liked this video! Good job!!
+James Batchelor you are welcome James!
Unfortunately in my country doesnt have the same spec
Great to compete with i20,but where's Ertiga?
Come on.....Just launch that RS version with boosterjet engine in India.
the dash looks like last years Hyundai Elantra
No mentioning the disappointing Euro NCAP results?
Please Review Audi SQ7 TDI 2016
sir want to know that socker problem or not
baneno or i 20 wich 1 i buy
I bought it last year. Nice engine but the suspension is crap. It feels that there is no suspension at all. For the materials quality what you pay is what you get
then why did you buy it ??
James, you are such a good presenter, clear, concise and interesting.
The only things I don't like with this car are the rear lights and that horrible chrome thing along the bootlid eeeewwwwww LOL.....
Baleno its like glans?
Over 11s 0-60 is punchy??
Is it based on the new Ford KA+?
is tgei20 is better than this ?
What happened to the old balano
Vidéo très complète, mais s'il vous plaît fichez-nous la paix avec vos plastiques durs
Is it really in the supermini class? I've seen a few in person and I'd have thought they're about the same size as a Focus or an Astra
Same length as a Corsa or Fiesta but same space as an Astra or Focus.
Oh damn.... I thought this was a car exclusive for south asian and south east asian markets. Why would people choose a balneo where there are options like the Golf and Fiesta? Plus it's advertised as a 'premium hatchback' in those markets.
well obviously its cheaper to sell cheaper cars already with the steering wheel on the right, hence why you get protons, peroduas and all that crap. also the ecosport before ford made a european version
wonder why doesn't he mention anything about crash safety ratings...
MRsjovealek Nope. 4 stars only with all those airbags.
Toyota Yaris hybrid or Suzuki Baleno 1.0 Booster jet
Ford Mustang
Nissan gtr nismo
bmw m6 grand coupe
Porsche 918
Yaris Hybrid
6 airbags?🤔😓 In India here we have only 2 airbags 😭😭😭😭
In pakistan this baleno isn't arrived yet😂😂
This Hungary Suzuki for the European much better than Maruti Suzuki
Which location is this??
trousers?
I thought it said Balena ("Whale" in Italian) at first.
Baleno is not a super mini, you can't compete it with Fiesta, it's a class C, compite with focus, golf, peugeot 30x,
The reviewer sounds as if he is doing a bad impression of Quentin Wilson
I have suzuki baleno from 2017 90ks 1.2 petrol ... consumption very small, good comfort plenty of space for that class of cars below 4 feet in length.
plastic is of poor quality as well as carpet around the leg of the rear seats.
too faded and too high from the road
It has thin tires and is wind-sensitive.
the clutch in combination with the gearbox is not exactly the most accurate.
The engine is in idle idle and becomes rather dull at higher speeds.
For the price at which the sale is not a bad car and who has ever owned a Japanese car knows that it will get a long-lasting car with a favorable maintenance.
I'd rather buy a 1,000 cc motorcycle. At least it will bring a bloody big smile to my face.
hahaha
looks like a 2010ish car
I agree
only just noticed car buyer never shows then engine. why? cos their target audience is the suits in offices who send it to their dealers garage for service/problems
What's there to show
engine bay
How does not showing an engine bay suggest that their target audience is people with no mechanical knowledge?
im assuming, wi would like to see carbuyer show the engine.
***** It's a review, not a mechanical inspection
James great video review......but Im sorry this car just screams "dull" I would rather have a base renault clio, surely anyone would??? lol
Some people prefer dull and reliable, rather than attractive but unreliable.
why do they keep going on about fitting big water bottles in door bins. ive never bought a car based on the size of the door bins ,its like theyve got a script they do for very car,wasting time on trivialities
Is he Tiff Needell's son?
i thought it only exist in india and Arabic and indonesia and malaysia and labuan
punchy?
Prefer the sports version
A gadi ni ketli kimat che
„Balenă” means whale in Romanian. Is this where Suzuki took inspiration from when choosing a name for this car?
I meant it more as a joke. The car looks unsightly.
***** Yuuuuuuup. Cheap and nasty, just the way Indians like'em.
+Daniel G (iosguidespot) baleno means "flash" in Italian. And as a related word, "arcobaleno" means "rainbow".
+patriotbarrow Did you want to eat Banana 🍌???
kuldip jadhav Do you want dysentery?
Daniel leoncio Sr. /Jr.
Regina & Ryan Leoncio