Likes
- Great value for money
- Solid reliability
- Infotainment system is easy to use
- Spacious and practical
The EW Suzuki Baleno is one of those ‘cheap and cheerful’ cars that focuses on being simple and unpretentious. The EW Baleno arrived in Australia in July 2016 and is produced in Manesar, India.
It is available as a five door hatchback with a 1.4 naturally aspirated 4-cylinder petrol engine as well as a 1.0 turbocharged 3-cylinder petrol engine (from 2016-19). Model variants include GL (base model), GLX (premium) and GLX Turbo (premium model, discontinued in 2019) and the Shadow (introduced 2022).
Standard features include air conditioning, remote central locking, electric windows and mirrors; six speaker sound system, a 7-inch infotainment system with satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay, MirrorLink smartphone integration, cruise control, speed limiter, LED daytime running lights, front fog lights, trip computer, immobiliser, rearview camera, 60:40 split rear folding seats and rear privacy glass. Plus, the GLX/GLX Turbo features HID headlights, climate control, alloy wheels and push-button start. GLX models also added LED headlights and see me home function.
On the safety front, the Baleno does feature six airbags, ABC, EBD, brake assist, ESP, traction control and front seatbelt pre-tensioners with load limiters, however, it does lack more modern safety equipment like autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane departure warning and cross-traffic alert – for this reason it wa scored 3 out of 5 stars by EuroNCAP s. It has not been tested by ANCAP in Australia.
The Baleno has had two recalls already issued, with one affecting the ISOFIX child restraint information provided in the owner’s manual and another relating to a loss of braking assistance due to the vacuum assist brake booster swelling. Otherwise, there’s really little for the Baleno to go wrong, and vehicles delivered post-2019 will still have warranty left on them as Suzuki upgraded their warranty offering to 5 years/unlimited kms from October 2019.
If you need something to take you from A to B, the Suzuki Baleno represents great value given what they’re going for on the used car market. The only thing to bear in mind is that they are pretty basic in comparison to other hatchbacks on the market, and you’ll need to be comfortable comprising on modern safety equipment that a lot of its rivals would have fitted as standard (or at least available).
Exterior:
Interior:
Mechanically:
Recalls:
It is important to note that not all 2016-2022 Suzuki Balenos will experience these problems.
Exterior:
Interior:
Mechanically:
Recalls:
It is important to note that not all 2016-2022 Suzuki Balenos will experience these problems.
Exterior:
Interior:
Mechanically:
Recalls:
It is important to note that not all 2016-2022 Suzuki Balenos will experience these problems.
If ever there was a car that screamed you are unpretentious, it would be the Suzuki Baleno. It represents everything we’ve come to expect from the Japanese manufacturer.
Small, light, only the features you need, meanwhile a joy to drive. No nonsense, modest motoring.
Because many will have been used as city runabouts, and they’re cheap to buy, it’s not uncommon to find Balenos that have been abused. Not in a “I’m going to drift around every corner” kind of way, more of a “Well it’s a pretty cheap car, so I’m not going to precious with it” way. So make sure you go over the exterior with a fine-toothed comb to check for cosmetic damage.
As usual, it’s crucial to make sure the Baleno you’re looking at has a full and thorough service history and get a pre-purchase inspection done.
If ever there was a car that screamed you are unpretentious, it would be the Suzuki Baleno. It represents everything we’ve come to expect from the Japanese manufacturer.
Small, light, only the features you need, meanwhile a joy to drive. No nonsense, modest motoring.
Because many will have been used as city runabouts, and they’re cheap to buy, it’s not uncommon to find Balenos that have been abused. Not in a “I’m going to drift around every corner” kind of way, more of a “Well it’s a pretty cheap car, so I’m not going to precious with it” way. So make sure you go over the exterior with a fine-toothed comb to check for cosmetic damage.
As usual, it’s crucial to make sure the Baleno you’re looking at has a full and thorough service history and get a pre-purchase inspection done.
If ever there was a car that screamed you are unpretentious, it would be the Suzuki Baleno. It represents everything we’ve come to expect from the Japanese manufacturer.
Small, light, only the features you need, meanwhile a joy to drive. No nonsense, modest motoring.
Because many will have been used as city runabouts, and they’re cheap to buy, it’s not uncommon to find Balenos that have been abused. Not in a “I’m going to drift around every corner” kind of way, more of a “Well it’s a pretty cheap car, so I’m not going to precious with it” way. So make sure you go over the exterior with a fine-toothed comb to check for cosmetic damage.
As usual, it’s crucial to make sure the Baleno you’re looking at has a full and thorough service history and get a pre-purchase inspection done.
Body Styles
5 door hatchback
Engines
1.4 litre 4-cylinder petrol (GL, GLX, Shadow)
1.0 litre 3-cylinder turbo-petrol (GLX Turbo)
Power
68kW – 1.4 litre 4-cylinder petrol (GL, GLX, Shadow)
82kW – 1.0 litre 3-cylinder turbo-petrol (GLX Turbo)
Torque
130Nm – 1.4 litre 4-cylinder petrol (GL, GLX, Shadow)
160Nm – 1.0 litre 3-cylinder turbo-petrol (GLX Turbo)
Transmissions
5-speed Manual (GL)
4-speed Automatic (GL, GLX, Shadow)
6-speed Sports Automatic (GLX Turbo)
Fuel Consumption
5.1 – 5.4L / 100km
Length
3995mm
Width
1745mm
Height
1470mm
Kerb Weight
895 – 975kg
Body Styles
5 door hatchback
Engines
1.4 litre 4-cylinder petrol (GL, GLX, Shadow)
1.0 litre 3-cylinder turbo-petrol (GLX Turbo)
Power
68kW – 1.4 litre 4-cylinder petrol (GL, GLX, Shadow)
82kW – 1.0 litre 3-cylinder turbo-petrol (GLX Turbo)
Torque
130Nm – 1.4 litre 4-cylinder petrol (GL, GLX, Shadow)
160Nm – 1.0 litre 3-cylinder turbo-petrol (GLX Turbo)
Transmissions
5-speed Manual (GL)
4-speed Automatic (GL, GLX, Shadow)
6-speed Sports Automatic (GLX Turbo)
Fuel Consumption
5.1 – 5.4L / 100km
Length
3995mm
Width
1745mm
Height
1470mm
Kerb Weight
895 – 975kg
Body Styles
5 door hatchback
Engines
1.4 litre 4-cylinder petrol (GL, GLX, Shadow)
1.0 litre 3-cylinder turbo-petrol (GLX Turbo)
Power
68kW – 1.4 litre 4-cylinder petrol (GL, GLX, Shadow)
82kW – 1.0 litre 3-cylinder turbo-petrol (GLX Turbo)
Torque
130Nm – 1.4 litre 4-cylinder petrol (GL, GLX, Shadow)
160Nm – 1.0 litre 3-cylinder turbo-petrol (GLX Turbo)
Transmissions
5-speed Manual (GL)
4-speed Automatic (GL, GLX, Shadow)
6-speed Sports Automatic (GLX Turbo)
Fuel Consumption
5.1 – 5.4L / 100km
Length
3995mm
Width
1745mm
Height
1470mm
Kerb Weight
895 – 975kg
Warranty
3 years / 100,000 km
5 years / unlimited kms (from 1st October 2019)
Service Intervals
10000 km / 6 months (2016 GL, 2016 GLX Turbo, 2016 GLX)
15000 km / 12 months (2016 GL, 2016 GLX, 2016 Shadow)
Have ultimate peace of mind when buying a used car by purchasing an official PPSR report.
Please note that pricing information is subject to fluctuations in the automotive market.
Information correct as of July 24, 2023.
The advice provided on this website is general advice only. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this advice, you should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs.
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