Maruti Suzuki Baleno — Price, Mileage, Variants & Expert Review

Run the per-kilometre numbers first, because they are the Baleno's strongest card: the factory CNG version claims 30.61 km/kg, which at typical CNG prices works out to roughly ₹2.5-3 per km, against about ₹4.3-4.6 for the 22.94 kmpl petrol at current pump rates (both indicative). For a car that starts at ₹5.99 lakh, that CNG option is the difference between a nice hatchback and a seriously cheap-to-own one.

Within the 28-strong hatchback field the Baleno sits in the upper half on price — rank 18, in a segment whose median is just ₹5.6 lakh — so it is positioned as a premium hatch, not a budget one. The 1.2L K-series petrol makes 90 PS and 113 Nm, hauling only 925 kg of kerb weight, with a 5-speed manual or AMT. The trade: its petrol mileage actually reads 6% below the hatchback median, because the cheap small hatches it out-classes also out-sip it.

Space and kit are solid rather than spectacular: a 318-litre boot, 1,745 mm width, and top trims with LED projector headlamps, a 4.2-inch cluster display and painted alloys. Nine variants keep the choosing simple — a discipline rivals with 16 to 27 trims have abandoned.

Baleno Variants & Ex-Showroom Prices

Ex-showroom prices. See the city-wise on-road price for your city.

Engine, Performance & Mileage

1.2 L K Series Engine Petrol

1197 cc · 90 PS @ 6000 rpm · 113 Nm @ 4400 rpm · 5-Speed MT / 5-Speed AMT AT · ARAI 22.94 kmpl · BS VI 2.0

1.2 L K Series Engine CNG

1197 cc · 77 PS @ 6000 rpm · 99 Nm @ 4300 rpm · 5-Speed MT · ARAI 30.61 km/kg · BS VI 2.0

Baleno Dimensions

Length: 3990 mm · Width: 1745 mm · Height: 1500 mm · Wheelbase: 2520 mm · Ground clearance: 170 mm · Boot space: 318 litres · Fuel tank: 37 litres

Baleno Safety

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist, Central Locking, Driver Airbag, Passenger Airbag, Side Airbag, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Engine Immobilizer, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), ISOFIX Child Seat Mounts, Hill Assist, Bharat NCAP Safety Rating: 4 Star, Bharat NCAP Child Safety Rating: 3 Star, Anti-Theft Alarm.

Ownership & Running Costs

Annual/10,000 km-style paid services common to Maruti small cars (indicative)

K-series parts and labour are among the cheapest in the class thanks to network scale; CNG variants add periodic tank checks (indicative)

Comprehensive premiums sit in the mainstream hatchback band; declare the factory CNG kit so it is covered (indicative)

Indicatively: CNG at ~₹80-90/kg and 30.61 km/kg is ₹2.5-3/km; petrol at ~₹100-105/L and 22.94 kmpl is ₹4.3-4.6/km

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Baleno vs Rivals

Baleno vs Hyundai i20: From ₹6.00 lakh with a 20 kmpl petrol and no CNG — plusher feel, materially higher running costs than a CNG Baleno. See the Hyundai i20.

Baleno vs Hyundai Prime HB: CNG-only hatch from ₹6.00 lakh aimed at fleet-style duty; the Baleno gives you the same fuel economics with a petrol fallback. See the Hyundai Prime HB.

Baleno vs Hyundai Exter: From ₹5.81 lakh with petrol and CNG in a boxier crossover shape — undercuts the Baleno at entry. See the Hyundai Exter.

Baleno vs Tata Altroz: From ₹6.30 lakh and the only hatch offering petrol, CNG and diesel — the one to consider if a diesel commute is on the table. See the Tata Altroz.

GaadiInfo Verdict

The Baleno's case is arithmetic plus network: pick the CNG if your odometer works for a living, and the mid-spec petrol AMT if it does not. The 30.61 km/kg figure is the kind of number that changes a household budget, and with only 9 variants the range is refreshingly honest. Skip the top trim unless you specifically want its lighting kit — the middle of the range carries the value, and the money saved buys a lot of CNG.

• Do the fuel math before the showroom visit: above roughly 1,200-1,500 km/month, CNG pays; below it, the petrol AMT's convenience wins.
• CNG is manual-only — if you need two-pedal driving in traffic, that decision is made for you, so test the AMT properly on an incline.
• At PDI on a CNG car, inspect the boot with the tank in place and confirm the spare wheel arrangement — see the real usable space, not the brochure's 318 litres.
• Maruti's volume means year-end and month-end discounts are real; get quotes from two dealerships and let them know you have both.

Frequently asked questions

Baleno petrol or CNG — which one should I pick?

Pick by monthly kilometres. The CNG's 30.61 km/kg means roughly ₹2.5-3 per km (indicative) versus ₹4.3-4.6 for the 22.94 kmpl petrol, so heavy commuters recover the CNG premium fast. Low-mileage users should take the petrol, which also unlocks the AMT.

How much does the Baleno cost in 2026?

₹5.99 lakh to ₹9.17 lakh ex-showroom across 9 variants, spanning petrol MT/AMT and the CNG manual.

Does the CNG Baleno feel underpowered?

Output drops from 90 PS to 77 PS in CNG mode, with 99 Nm of torque. In a 925 kg car it stays adequate for city and steady highway cruising; it is only quick overtakes where you notice the deficit.

How much boot space is left in the Baleno CNG?

The car's rated boot is 318 litres, but the CNG tank occupies part of it — inspect the actual boot with the tank installed before booking.

Is there an automatic Baleno with CNG?

No. The AMT is petrol-only; every CNG Baleno is a 5-speed manual.

Is the Baleno good for highway trips?

Yes within reason — 90 PS, 113 Nm and a light 925 kg kerb weight make cruising easy, and the 37-litre tank at 22.94 kmpl gives a long claimed range between fills.

Baleno or i20 — which is cheaper to own?

The Baleno, clearly, if you choose CNG: 30.61 km/kg against the i20's petrol-only 20 kmpl. On petrol alone the gap narrows (22.94 vs 20 kmpl) but stays in the Baleno's favour.

Which Baleno variant is the best value?

The middle of the 9-variant range — you get alloys and the core convenience kit without paying the ₹9.17 lakh top-end price, and the savings fund a year of fuel.