Maruti Baleno Facelift Faces Rivals Altroz, i20, Glanza
A comparison of the newly launched Maruti Baleno facelift against its key rivals, the Tata Altroz, Hyundai i20, and Toyota Glanza, covering pricing
Maruti Suzuki has launched the updated Baleno in India. The car led its segment in July 2026 with 18,241 units sold, compared to 6,738 units for the Hyundai i20, 4,461 for the Toyota Glanza, and 2,862 for the Tata Altroz.
The Baleno's main challengers are the Tata Altroz and Hyundai i20, with the Toyota Glanza also in the mix. The Glanza is included primarily because it retains the older, sought-after K-Series four-cylinder engine.
Pricing and Dimensions
Pricing for the new Baleno is currently a grey area, as Maruti Suzuki has only announced a starting festive price of Rs 6.1 lakh. Its rivals have clearer price brackets.
| Model | Price Range (Ex-showroom) |
|---|---|
| Tata Altroz | Rs 6 lakh - Rs 10.9 lakh |
| Hyundai i20 | Rs 6 lakh - Rs 10.63 lakh |
| Toyota Glanza | Rs 6.73 lakh - Rs 9.99 lakh |
All cars are premium hatchbacks within the four-meter length constraint. The Hyundai i20 is the widest and has the longest wheelbase, while the new Baleno is the tallest. The Tata Altroz offers the largest boot in the segment at 210 liters, a figure that remains even with the CNG version. The Altroz is also the only model to offer 16-inch wheels as standard across all variants.
Powertrains and Efficiency
The Tata Altroz leads in engine diversity, offering petrol, diesel, and CNG options. The new Baleno offers petrol and CNG, both based on a new 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine. The older 1.2-liter four-cylinder engine in the Toyota Glanza delivers the segment's best power output.
Only the Altroz and i20 offer what the source calls "genuine" automatic gearbox options-a dual-clutch automatic (DCA) and a CVT, respectively. The Baleno and Glanza are equipped with automated manual transmissions.
The new Baleno claims top fuel efficiency figures. It has up to 24.77 km/l with petrol and 33.61 km/kg with CNG. The Glanza follows closely. The Tata Altroz is India's only diesel hatchback, with its diesel engine returning 23.6 km/l. All cars in this comparison feature a monocoque chassis and front-wheel-drive layout.
Safety and Features
Safety is a key differentiator. The report states that only the Tata Altroz has been awarded a five-star crash rating by both BNCAP and GNCAP.
Six airbags and front disc with rear drum brakes are common to all four models. The Baleno facelift gains several first-in-segment features, including Level 2 ADAS, ventilated seats, and a head-up display. Only the Glanza misses out on a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS).
The Altroz offers unique features like cornering lights, rain-sensing wipers, and an air purifier. Both the Baleno and Glanza feature an auto-dimming interior rearview mirror, which the Altroz and i20 do not. The i20 also lacks a 360-degree camera and blind-spot monitoring.
The Altroz is praised for its "best-in-segment" 360-degree cameras and the crispest screen resolution. Both the Altroz and i20 are equipped with larger 10.2-inch infotainment screens, compared to the 9-inch units in the Baleno and Glanza. Only the Altroz gets a fully digital TFT instrument cluster, sized at 10.25 inches.
Comfort features vary. A front armrest is offered in the Baleno and Glanza, while the Altroz and i20 add a rear armrest. A sunroof is available only on the Altroz and i20. The Baleno and Glanza are the only models to offer UV-cut glass, a feature absent in the other two rivals.
The report concludes that despite its polarizing design and new three-cylinder engine, the Baleno is expected to lead its segment for the foreseeable future.
