2016 Maruti Suzuki Baleno hatchback variants decoded

The Maruti Suzuki Baleno has been launched in India for Rs 4.99 lakh (introductory ex-showroom Delhi). It is available in nine variants, two engine and transmission options and six colour choices. It is the Indo-Japanese automaker’s entry into the B+ segment of the Indian car market where it will compete with cars like the Honda Jazz, Hyundai Elite i20, Volkswagen Polo and the Fiat Punto Evo.

Firstly, the engine options include the 1.2-litre VVT petrol that produces 83bhp/115Nm of torque while the diesel is the 1.3-litre Multijet unit that produces 75bhp/190Nm of torque. A five speed manual is common across both engine options while the petrol can also be had with a CVT.
With that out of the way, we can now bring you to the main idea of our story, which is to suggest the best variant that money can offer with regard to the Maruti Suzuki Baleno. The four variants are Alpha, Zeta, Delta and Sigma of which the Delta petrol can also be had with a CVT.

Variants decoded (All prices Introductory Ex-showroom Delhi)

Alpha Rs 7.01 lakh petrol/Rs 8.11 lakh diesel
This is the top-spec  variant of the Baleno hatchback and is available with both petrol and diesel engines. Externally, this variant gets a chrome grille and door handles, ORVMs with integrated indicators, alloy wheels and projector head lamps with LED DRLs. Moving into the cabin, we find a  climate control system, touchscreen infotainment, leather wrapped steering wheel and illumination for the glove box, foot wells and the boot. On the comfort front, this is the only variant that gets a push button start, reverse camera and Apple CarPlay technology.

Zeta variants- Rs 6.31 lakh petrol/Rs 7.41 lakh diesel (Rs70, 000/Rs 70,000)
These are the second level variants of the Baleno and are priced Rs 70,000 lesser than the equivalent Alpha variants. This price reduction has been achieved by removing the projector headlamps, LED DRLs and the touchscreen infotainment system as well as the reversing camera.

Delta variant Rs 5.71 lakh petrol/ Rs 6.81 lakh diesel/Rs 6.76 lakh CVT (Rs 60,000/Rs 60,000/Rs 1.05 lakh)
We have now reached what we believe will be the volumes giver variant for the Maruti Suzuki Baleno. It is the third in the hierarchy and is priced Rs 60,000 lesser than the Zeta variants across both engine options. This also the only variant where the AT is available and it is priced Rs 1.05 lakh more than the manual petrol model.
This price reduction as compared to the Zeta variants has been achieved by removing the chrome door handles, alloy wheels, front fog lamps and UV protective glass. The cabin loses out on the TFT display for the instrument cluster, leather wrapped wheel, cabin illumination extras, electric folding for the ORVMs, auto headlamps, front arm rest, height adjustment for driver’s seat and finally the button start.

Sigma variants Rs 4.99 lakh petrol /Rs 6.16 lakh diesel (Rs 72,000/Rs 65,000)
The Sigma variants are the entry variants for the Maruti Suzuki Baleno. They are priced Rs 72,000 and Rs 65,000 lesser than the equivalent petrol and diesel Delta variants. Maruti Suzuki has achieved this by removing all of the external embellishments, music system, rear power windows, electrically folding ORVMs, remote keyless entry, adjustable rear headrests as well as the split rear seats. This is also the only variant to get a manual AC.

Maruti Suzuki seems to be on a new trend of offering safety features across the entire range of a vehicle and this one is no different. It gets dual airbags, ABS+EBD, pre-tensioners for the front seats belts as well as a seat belt reminder. Given its position in the industry, we believe that this move will set the trend for other manufacturers to start offering the same.
As safety is no longer a variable component in the variants, our choice is the Zeta variant which loses out on just a few of the Alpha’s features but has pretty much everything else to make it a good value for money proposition. Also affecting our decision to recommend this variant to you is the fact that a lot of the features not available on the Delta variant are things that would be too expensive to fit via the after-market route.
 However, that being said, even the Sigma variant will still have enough to keep you going, if it’s a very basic runabout that you are searching for. Also, if you are looking for an AT the Delta is your only option.