Maruti Baleno 2022 AMT/MT Drive Review | Some Guns Blazing
- Mar 2, 2022
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The 2022 Maruti Suzuki Baleno has racked up over 25,000 bookings in India. Vehicles have started reaching dealerships, and deliveries are underway. We managed to get our hands on the Baleno’s second-from-base Delta variant and will explain all that it gets in this report. FYI, the 2022 Baleno is offered in four broad trims: Sigma, Delta, Zeta, and Alpha.
Starting at the front, the Delta gets the same grille as the top-spec Alpha with a chrome trim underlining it. Projector headlamps are on offer, but they are halogen units and get the standard LED DRLs instead of the new tri-arrow design. No fog lamps on offer, though.
The Baleno Delta rolls on smaller 15-inch steel wheels with plastic wheel covers. The keen-eyed observer will also notice that there are no chrome door handles; instead, body-colur units.
The lack of a chrome strip on the tailgate is the only giveaway that this is the hatchback’s lower-spec trim we’re dealing with.
Inside, the Delta gets a single-tone black dashboard design instead of the dual-tone black-and-blue unit. If you don’t like flashy, you’ll take to the Delta’s dash layout. All said, this is not the top-of-the-shelf trim, nor exactly a middle-spec one either. So there are a few compromises, and you’ll have to live with those.
For starters, you do get a multi-info display between the dials, but it’s not the real deal as it’s a basic monochrome unit. The top-spec trim gets a coloured unit and even displays graphics like the exact door open warning and even the amount of power and torque the engine is putting out.
Then there’s the infotainment system, which is the 7-inch Smartplay unit earlier offered in the pre-facelift model. It gets Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but the top-spec Alpha goes a step further with a larger 9-inch screen and connected car tech with Alexa support (Telematics only).
Other missing features include rear AC vents, cruise control, 360-degree camera, side and curtain airbags, and a fast charging rear USB charger (you only get a 12V power socket).
What the Delta does offer, however, are the essentials, including steering-mounted audio controls, automatic climate control, keyless entry, power windows, and electrically foldable ORVMs. Passenger safety in this trim is taken care of by dual airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, and electronic stability control (AMT only).
The Baleno Delta gets the 90PS 1.2-litre DualJet petrol engine, paired with a 5-speed manual and an optional AMT. The manual returns 22.35kmpl, while the AMT delivers 22.94kmpl.
The Baleno Delta costs Rs 7.19 lakh, and the AMT demands a Rs 50,000 premium. In our opinion, the Delta gets all the creature comforts, and you can pick it without batting an eyelid if you’re on a budget. However, if you think you can splurge a few moolahs more, we suggest you check out the Zeta, considering it goes the extra step with six airbags, alloy wheels, and a more advanced infotainment system.
The Baleno locks horns with the Tata Altroz, Hyundai i20, Honda Jazz, and the upcoming 2022 Toyota Glanza.
Maruti Baleno 2022 AMT/MT Drive Review | Some Guns Blazing
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