Maruti Suzuki Baleno Premium Hatchback Now Launched

[ameyam]

Re: Suzuki's New Premium Hatchback Baleno Now Launched!

Actually, I intend to lodge an official complaint with the helpline tomorrow. Was just waiting till this evening to see if I get a call from their end. The problem is how maruti handles complaints- any complaint is lodged either on the dealer or service team. What the hell are those guys going to do if your product is crap?

Ameyam

 

[Suryaputhra]

Re: Suzuki's New Premium Hatchback Baleno Now Launched!

Personally I feel it is a dumb car but there are great reviews on other forums which are misleading and far from the reality and truth.

 

[ice_wise]

Re: Suzuki's New Premium Hatchback Baleno Now Launched!

Personally I feel it is a dumb car but there are great reviews on other forums which are misleading and far from the reality and truth.

Reviews are good because the car is good, and they elaborate the negatives also. So I don't think any review is misleading for Baleno as almost all say the same things, unlike Tata Zica (where one reviewer said all good and other all bad).

Do elaborate on why you feel it is a dumb car. A good car with average dealer attitude I would say. ameyam's case is a one-off and I don't think any member has mentioned about ANY issues in the car.

 

[Suryaputhra]

Re: Suzuki's New Premium Hatchback Baleno Now Launched!

Poor back seat comfort, bumpy ride, not so premium and quality interiors, pick up is not like its siblings despite of less curb weight and handling issues at high speeds. These gadgetry offered by tata zest longtime back but people see ultimately the definition of the car which it supposed to be.

no offense its my opinion on the long drive in baleno petrol alpha.

-suryaputhra

 

[ameyam]

Re: Suzuki's New Premium Hatchback Baleno Now Launched!

Suryaputra

Back seat comfort is compromised for practicality. The could have made the back seat more plush & bolstered but then it wouldnt have folded over. That was possible in the Zest because the back seat is fixed

Ride is far less bumpy than my Swift was. The Zest was more compliant on the same surfaces but with the additional boot weight, it wascexpected to be. Ride is actually nice & comfortable

Interior plastics i feel & on par with the i20. Not as premium feeling as the Swift but quite ok

Seat fabrich dont matter. Most will get seat covers installed in any case

Handling issues at high speed, i am not really sure. So far the max i have done is 90. Didnt feel any issues. Plus best to drive any car in the 90~110 kmph range on our highways


Maruti is late to the party in offering gadgetry. But what they are offering is good. Think like this- in the Delta spec, Baleno Offers all the features of the Swift vxi (or zest xm) plus auto climate control, ABS & airbags and for about a similar price too.

I believe if the zest "talks" to you, go for that car because its your gut feeling. Its a sedan if tgats what you were looking for. But if its more practicality you are looking for, consider the Baleno & Jazz. This coming from a customer who has had a lot of pain with the Baleno. My case is unique thougg because everyone has been complaining about the Nexa experience & not so much the product

Ameyam

 

[ice_wise]

Re: Suzuki's New Premium Hatchback Baleno Now Launched!

Poor back seat comfort, bumpy ride, not so premium and quality interiors, pick up is not like its siblings despite of less curb weight and handling issues at high speeds. These gadgetry offered by tata zest longtime back but people see ultimately the definition of the car which it supposed to be.

no offense its my opinion on the long drive in baleno petrol alpha.

-suryaputhra

Suryaputhra sirji, here are my views :

Back seat comfort - Due to the reason that ameyam stated. The seat back won't have folded flat if more bolstering was there.

Bumpy ride - That you may have experienced at high speeds maybe. But during my TD, I felt the ride to be very absorbent and soothing (NIL suspension noise) in city limits. In fact, ride quality was a big reason to buy this car for me.

Interior Plastic - Yes, some parts are shared with Swift and Ciaz which makes the cabin nothing different than any Maruti car. But the quality is average, neither Liva like nor Elite i20 like. Even Dzire has similar plastic quality but the colour difference makes its cabin look premium.

Pickup - This is another major plus point, of petrol motor especially. It is quicker than Swift in the mid-range. Some initial lag is there (as compared to Swift) but mid range power makes up for it.

Didn't take it over 80 kmph during TD, so can't comment on high speed behaviour. But the steering weighs up decently at speed.

Zest had the gadgetry but failed because of Tata's marketing and brand value. Had it been a Maruti, it would have been the best seller of the segment.

For me, Dzire has no big plus point over Baleno except when one seriously need the sedan title. No offence meant.

 

[Suryaputhra]

Re: Suzuki's New Premium Hatchback Baleno Now Launched!

@ameyam, ice_wise, I agree with most of your points, but plastic quality is not like dzire, if press door panels it is going inside. Smooth texture difference is there. To accommodate good boot and leg room back seat is not well inclined. I never complain suspension of suzuki, may be my driving style made me to complain about suspension of baleno, I will take it back. Finally different people have different opinions, but ultimately success of the car is the winning point. Baleno already proved it self in that point, need to see its success over time.

-suryaputhra

 

[TSIVipul]

Re: Suzuki's New Premium Hatchback Baleno Now Launched!

Suryaputra

Back seat comfort is compromised for practicality. The could have made the back seat more plush & bolstered but then it wouldnt have folded over. That was possible in the Zest because the back seat is fixed

Back seat comfort - Due to the reason that ameyam stated. The seat back won't have folded flat if more bolstering was there.

Saarjis you need to check the rear seat of Jazz. Seats do fold flat only until they don't have a cover.
But yes, the reason states above is actually not a reason for the same, it's more about the way hip point is shaped and the anchoring point is shaped and sized, seat bolstering etc play hardly 10% here. Jazz has a seat that folds flat but the middle rear bench is way ahead of Baleno in terms of comfort, seat shape, cushioning, seat height and especially the under thigh support. Would love to listen your views on the same.

Interior Plastic - Yes, some parts are shared with Swift and Ciaz which makes the cabin nothing different than any Maruti car. But the quality is average, neither Liva like nor Elite i20 like. Even Dzire has similar plastic quality but the colour difference makes its cabin look premium.

This answer is closest to perfect IMO. Very well stated and right up to what anyone with an experienced eye can observe.

For me, Dzire has no big plus point over Baleno except when one seriously need the sedan title. No offence meant.

And this one made my day

@Suryaputhra:
100% agree on the plastics flexing part. Not only doors, even the dashboard plastic also flexes, at least on the passenger side. DZire has poor fit and finish on doors (many small gaps on door armrest part and the part where plastic and fabric meets) and Baleno seems to have a better finish with lighter plastics. These Maruti guys are awesome, they always give and take simultaneously.

 

[ameyam]

Re: Suzuki's New Premium Hatchback Baleno Now Launched!

I second that- I have been driving the Baleno Zeta with its 195/55 rims and its a very smooth car. Smoother than the Swift even. The suspension is stiff over bumps, so the car does jar over bumps and potholes. But unless you have a SUV, every other car will do the same. This morning I had a MLC's car blaring the horn behind me in traffic but when I got to a potholed section, even he wasn't doing any more speed and shaking away like me. Once you get into 4th gear and stuff, you wont even feel the car move


The difference between the feel of the plastics on the Baleno and say, the Swift is down to texture and colour. The Swift's plastics, after much iterations, have a pleasing black colour, has a diamond pattern but the plastic in between is smooth. On the other hand, the Baleno's plastic has a slightly brownish colour and coarse finish making it look less "premium". Remember, the rough plastic is to prevent reflection on to the drivers face and onto the windscreen on a bright day, so it serves the purpose. Both the i20 and the Jazz have similar textures. A small note- if you want it to look more polished, use a good dashboard polish. In my car, you can see the lines where the ASC applied polish at delivery and where they missed. Have been planning to go at it with a polish but haven't got the time


With regards to the engine, I noticed that the engine is very low in idle. I was checking with on OBD scanner for fault finding that alternator and noted that the engine is at 700rpm with aircon and 600 without. My Swift had these at 800 and 700 respectively. I had the car stall in traffic several times and also several brown outs where the car has almost stalled, then recovered. Also jerky rides at half clutch in 1st and 2nd. I am going to up the rpm just a trifle later in the week. Once the car gets going though, it has good get up and go. It also learns if you have a heavy foot and reacts accordingly.


By the way, I have been routinely driving at 80-90 and that steering doesn't weigh up. It remains smooth and free, a bit too free for my liking. It also jerks in the steering going over rumblers or catseyes. I have reported this to Maruti during my discussions. Is should be a software fix


Ameyam

 

[Suryaputhra]

@TSIVipul "it's more about the way hip point is shaped and the anchoring point is shaped and sized".
This is the fact, you have nicely explained. That's where baleno's back seat big minus.
-suryaputhra

My dzire k12MN idle at 630rpm and with ac 700rpm.
-suryaputhra

 

[ameyam]

Re: Suzuki's New Premium Hatchback Baleno Now Launched!

My dzire k12MN idle at 630rpm and with ac 700rpm.
-suryaputhra

Note that I measured the idle just after I started the engine, so rpm was higher than actual. Just feel that idle needs to go up a bit on mine, not much may be 50rpm or so will suffice

By the way, attaching snaps for those who wanted to see my interiors. the number marks on the seats are where the tailor made markings in making after taking measurements and will clean up over time like in the front seats. Sorry for the rough quality taken in the office parking

Ameyam

 

[Suryaputhra]

Re: Suzuki's New Premium Hatchback Baleno Now Launched!

Excellent seat covers, how much bucks.
-suryaputhra

 

[ameyam]

Re: Suzuki's New Premium Hatchback Baleno Now Launched!

8k. Custom made for me at Banga auto hood, GTB nagar. Initially, he said around 5k but after seeing the car (this was before my problems started), he suggested not to compromise and to go for the best PU leather quality he had. They are nice and comfortable even when the car has been under the sun. He also did carpet lamination in black colour material but I have box mats on top. Plus, the original leather wrapping in the steering was not providing sufficient grip, so he made a cover out of the same leather as the seats and stitched to the steering. Nice and sporty and comfortable to hold. Pics show that also


Neck and back pillows are from my previous car. I haven't put them on the headrests yet because I am still adjusting to the small rear glass


Ameyam

 

[Suryaputhra]

Re: Suzuki's New Premium Hatchback Baleno Now Launched!

Definitely looks best quality pu leather, good decision, better than nexa seat covers is the carpet lamination is included in the Rs.8000.
-suryaputhra

 

[ameyam]

Re: Suzuki's New Premium Hatchback Baleno Now Launched!

No carpet was separate. 4K


Ameyam