If you are in the market for a new car that delivers a solid drive, frugal engine and good levels of equipment you should add the new Suzuki Baleno to your shopping list.
In the metal
At first glance, the all-new Suzuki Baleno is somewhat nondescript in its outward appearance. To give its designers some credit there aren't exactly any bad lines on the car, but it's the lack of any real character that leaves the Baleno's exterior wanting. In comparison, the company's current Vitara is a handsome car; the Baleno just lacks any identity.
Both the SZ-T and SZ5 specification grades get 16-inch alloy wheels as standard while the higher grade also benefits from chrome door handles and turn signals integrated into the door mirrors. The black trim on the A- and B-pillars does help the look and while the colour palette may not be as vibrant as its the Vitara's, there is enough of a choice to suit most tastes.
Suzuki has done a good job maximising interior space. Like the smaller Suzuki Celerio, the new Baleno straddles two segments in terms of its size and it is on the inside that this makes most sense. Two adults can comfortably sit up front without banging elbows for example. The layout and look of the interior isn't going to win any design awards, but ergonomically it all works well and although some who may have experienced soft touch plastics in upper market German cars might rue the materials inside, all of the controls give the sense that they will still work perfectly fine in twenty years' time. It's not all that bad though; buyers also get a smart looking seven-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system as standard and this features Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink for smartphone connectivity.
In the rear, the boot offers up 320 litres of space and includes a floor base that can be set to a lower level or used as a separate compartment. The rear seat backs fold down to increase space up to 1,085 litres.
Driving it
The Suzuki Baleno is a new car from the ground up. It uses the company's new platform and makes extensive use of high tensile steel in its construction to keep weight down without sacrificing structural rigidity. Suzuki says the 'body in white' weighs just 196kg making it the lightest in the B-segment. In total the car weighs 950kg in this 1.0-litre Boosterjet specification.
Its combination of low weight and soft suspension (helped by the well cushioned 16-inch alloy wheels on high-profile tyres) allows the Baleno to absorb the lumps and bumps encountered in everyday urban driving. The steering is light to the touch too and its reasonably good turning circle adds to the car's manoeuvrability.
Out of town, the Baleno really comes alive thanks to that turbocharged Boosterjet engine. This unit loves to rev and that distinctive three-cylinder thrum never makes the car sound like it is struggling. It may only produce 82hp, but the Baleno's overall low weight makes it feel reasonably nippy. Its maximum torque is available between 2,000- and 3,500rpm and this is realistically where the engine will spend most of its time.
As speeds increase the Suzuki Baleno's soft suspension does tend to see it roll a bit too much in some corners, but it never feels lacking in grip. The five-speed manual has a set of ratios that are well matched to the car, so you won't find yourself working up and down the gearbox too much either. The engine is the real star of the show in this car and even after some spirited driving seemed to use surprisingly little fuel. A positive sign for those on a tighter motoring budget.
What you get for your money
The Suzuki Baleno comes in just two specification grades making it an easy choice for buyers, and both are well equipped. All cars get that seven-inch touchscreen system, 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, rear privacy glass, electric front windows, electrically adjustable heated door mirrors, DAB radio and Bluetooth. The SZ-T specification costs €17,995 when powered by the 1.0-litre Boosterjet engine.
For an additional €1,500 buyers can move up to the SZ5 grade, which adds automatic climate control, rear electric windows, LED rear lights, Adaptive Cruise Control with Radar Brake Support and a 4.2-inch central colour trip computer. If you would like to add metallic paint there is a choice of four colours: Glistening Grey, Midnight Black, Ray Blue and Premium Silver - these carry an additional cost of €370.
Suzuki also offers a three-year or 100,000km warranty with its new cars and includes three years' of Suzuki Assistance, which covers 24-hour roadside assistance and recovery.
Summary
At first glance the Suzuki Baleno might not be all that much to look at, but spending time behind the wheel reveals what is essentially a good honest car that is not only fun to drive but appears to be quite economical too. Suzuki has put together a competitive package with its new Baleno ensuring that it is a car that deserves to be on many people's consideration list.
