Suzuki Baleno 1.0 BoosterJet – A big car with a fun-size engine!

Suzuki has been catching the eyes of automotive enthusiasts, customers and experts both worldwide and in Pakistan lately. Whether it is the launch of the new Swift globally or the introduction of AGS in the Cultus locally, Suzuki is in the headlines more or less. Today we will be talking about one car, in particular, the technically accomplished Suzuki Baleno with the brand new K-Series BoosterJet engine and see what it has to offer.

Also Read: India To Export Locally Assembled Maruti Suzuki Baleno To Japan

Exterior:

The new Baleno sports an inoffensive exterior design that looks sporty and offers ample road presence. The designers have done a good job because the Baleno manages to offer loads of interior room without looking out of proportion like some MPVs and hatchbacks. The front houses optional full LED headlamps, fog lights, DRLs and a grill that is reminiscent of the one found in Nissan models, the Micra in particular. The story changes when we take a look at the back, where the Baleno’s looks start to fall apart, the taillights are not shaped in an attractive way, and the chrome bar running across the back does not appeal to my eyes. But looks are subjective, and beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so feel free to let us know how the Baleno looks in the comments below. Overall the Baleno offers a utilitarian look similar to most hatchbacks in this class, it may not seem as sleek as a Kia Rio or Seat Ibiza, but it gets the job done.

Interior:

The Baleno’s interior is put together in typical Suzuki fashion. The design is functional, and all the controls are logically laid out with ergonomics in mind, build quality is also top notch and the Baleno’s interior is built to survive the test of time. Unfortunately, the material quality is not up to the mark; hard, grey plastics take away the premium feel that the cabin’s design offers. To be clear it is better than most PKDMs but lags well behind rivals like the Honda Fit, Toyota Aqua, and Volkswagen Polo. Fortunately, the negatives end there. Baleno’s cabin is particularly spacious, offers tonnes of leg and headroom and is laden with technology. The instrument panel is nicely rendered with legible font and features a 4.2-inch LCD helper display. The tilt-telescopic steering wheel and supportive seats offer a wide range of adjustability, so drivers of all shapes and sizes can get comfortable.

Driving Dynamics, Performance and Fuel Economy:

This is where it gets interesting, the JDM Baleno is offered in two flavors. The “XS” and “XG” variants feature a 1.2L naturally aspirated inline-4 that makes 91 HP, whereas the “XT” variant, which we are talking about today has a 1.0L turbocharged, direct-injection K-Series inline-3 motor (Suzuki calls it a “BoosterJet”) that makes lively 111 HP and 160 Nm of torque. The turbo engine is paired to a one-choice-only 6-Speed automatic transmission, though a 5-Speed manual is available in other markets. This quick and responsive turbocharged engine combined with the Baleno’s low 950 KG kerb weight gives it remarkable performance and fuel economy. Suzuki claims up to 20 km/l on the JC08 cycle, but like most manufacturer claims this figure is not consistent with the real world. However you should still expect around 15 km/l in day to day driving, which is remarkable for a car of this class. This “BoosterJet” engine produces a lot of low-end torque and the Baleno’s suspension is tuned to be a right balance between sporty and comfortable. There’s plenty of road grip, and the car handles well. Combine all these together, and the Baleno is a fun-to-drive car, though maybe not as much as its little brother, the Swift.

Features and Comfort:

The Baleno is a solid contender in this category too as it is packed with the latest technology that includes adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure prevention, a 7-inch LCD infotainment display, digital climate control, keyless entry, push-button ignition, HID and LED headlamps, DRLs, fog lamps, heated front seats and 16-inch alloy wheels are included as standard on the “XT” trim. Six airbags including dual front airbags, driver and passenger side airbags and side curtain airbags combined with ABS, traction control, front and rear crumple zones add up to a safe car, as a result the Baleno scores a respectable 3 out of 5 stars safety rating in the EURO NCAP (New Car Assessment Program). The instrument panel houses a 4.2 inch LCD helper display that shows vehicle statistics like the trip meter, odometer, fuel economy, and even navigation instructions. The steering wheel features controls for the infotainment and cruise control systems. The cabin is well-insulated with very little road, tire or wind noise and the suspension does an adequate job of dealing with bumps and imperfections on the tarmac. The roomy interior can seat 5 adults comfortably even on longer journeys.

Pricing, Availability and Running Costs:

The new Baleno is great value for money however as of now there are none available for sale on PakWheels. So the only viable way to get your hand on one is via self-import through the JDM auctions where an auction grade “5”, model year 2016, fully loaded “XT” variant with the 1.0 “BoosterJet” engine, all the bells and whistles and under 15,000 km on the clock can be had for under 20 lacs, which is a great price for a vehicle that includes all the modern automotive hits. This low price is partly due to the Baleno having a small 1.0L (1000cc) engine that attracts minimal import duties under the “Special Regime”.

The exceptional fuel economy and Suzuki’s remarkable reliability record is a seal of approval when it comes to low running costs. However the good news ends here as local parts availability is a huge drawback and may be a deal breaker for many. While a Japanese car is considered the epitome of reliability if a part is required, it will need to be imported which requires time and money. All things considered, the Baleno is a solid car with a lot of modern features and technology at an attractive price and it continues to be an option for the adventurer who wants a little more than what other hatchbacks in this league offer.

I often ask myself, why there are no self-imported Balenos here and fail to come up with an answer, maybe we will see one as time goes by. Do you have an answer? Or any constructive criticism? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Also Check Out: Suzuki Cultus for Sale