Maruti Suzuki Baleno 2026 Facelift Vs Old: Which is Better?

The Maruti Baleno has always been a known name in the premium hatchback segment. Now in 2026, the Maruti Suzuki has got another fresh update, the last one being in 2022. This update is more than a cosmetic change. The new Baleno comes with a redesigned look cabin features, added safety technology and a new 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine.

There’s a twist here, though. The new engine produces less power compared to the four-cylinder engine in the previous model. Yet it claims to offer better fuel efficiency. So is the new Baleno an improvement over the old one? Let’s take a look at both versions side by side including price, design, comfort, tech, safety and mechanical parts and to see what has changed.

New Maruti Baleno vs Old: Price and Variants

The 2026 Maruti Baleno facelift starts at Rs. 6.10 lakh (ex-showroom), making it slightly more expensive than the outgoing model's Rs. 5.99 lakh starting price. The new range is offered in Sigma, Delta, Zeta, Alpha and Alpha (O) trims. The new Alpha (O) sits above the Alpha and brings Level 2 ADAS as its key highlight.

Details	Old Maruti Baleno	New Maruti Baleno
Starting Price	Rs. 5.99 Lakh	Rs. 6.10 Lakh
Top Variant	Alpha	Alpha (O)
Variants	Sigma, Delta, Zeta, Alpha	Sigma, Delta, Zeta, Alpha, Alpha (O)
Petrol	Yes	Yes
CNG	Yes	Yes
Manual	5-speed MT	5-speed MT
Automatic	5-speed AMT	5-speed AMT

The price gap at the entry level is only around Rs. 11,000, so the new Baleno doesn't make a sudden jump in pricing. The bigger change comes higher up the range, where the new Alpha (O) adds features such as Level 2 ADAS.

Interestingly, the previous Baleno had nine variants in petrol and CNG, while the facelift has been reorganised around five trim levels with different powertrain combinations. The new lineup also makes the feature progression easier to understand, with TPMS arriving from Delta and features such as the cooled wireless charger and larger touchscreen moving up to Zeta.

What is New Did Maruti Baleno Facelift Get in Exterior and Design?

The new Baleno does not try to look like an entirely different car. Maruti has kept the familiar silhouette but given the front end a noticeable makeover. The biggest change is the larger grille with three horizontal chrome slats, while the Suzuki logo now sits above it. The bumper has also been redesigned and gets new rectangular LED fog lamps.

Exterior Element	Old Baleno	New Baleno
Front Grille	Smaller, honeycomb-style grille	Larger grille with three chrome slats
Suzuki Logo	Integrated with grille	Positioned above grille
Headlamps	LED units	Carried over
DRLs	Three-block LED DRLs	Carried over
Front Bumper	Earlier design	Revised design
Fog Lamps	Earlier housing	New rectangular LED units
Alloy Wheels	16-inch dual-tone	16-inch dual-tone, design carried over
Side Profile	Familiar Baleno silhouette	Largely unchanged
Shark-Fin Antenna	Not available	Added
Rear Design	Existing design	Largely unchanged
New Colour	—	Enigmatic Teal

The changes are therefore concentrated mostly at the front. The side profile, headlamps, alloy wheels and overall proportions remain familiar, while the rear gets only minor changes. The new Baleno also gets a shark-fin antenna and a new Enigmatic Teal colour. 

Maruti Baleno New Vs Old: Interior and Comfort Compared

The story inside is quite similar, but with one important difference. Maruti has retained the basic cabin layout instead of redesigning the dashboard. You still get the layered dashboard, 9-inch touchscreen, analogue dials with a colour MID, flat-bottom steering wheel and physical climate controls.

Interior & Comfort Feature	Old Baleno	New Baleno
Dashboard Layout	Layered design	Same basic layout
Infotainment Screen	9-inch touchscreen	9-inch touchscreen
Instrument Cluster	Analogue dials + colour MID	Analogue dials + colour MID
Steering Wheel	Flat-bottom	Carried over
Climate Control	Automatic	Carried over
Head-Up Display	Yes	Yes
Front Seats	Standard	Ventilated on Alpha & Alpha (O)
Seat Upholstery	Existing design	New black and blue semi-leatherette upholstery
Wireless Charger	Available	Wireless charger with cooling
Audio System	Standard setup	Clarion branded system
Rear Centre Armrest	No	Still not available
Sunroof	No	Still not available

The biggest comfort upgrade is the ventilated front seats, offered on the Alpha and Alpha (O) variants. This is particularly relevant for Indian summers and is one of the new Baleno's most useful additions.

Another welcome addition is the wireless phone charger with a cooling function, available from the Zeta variant onwards. The new Baleno also gets a branded Clarion sound system on the higher variants.

But there are things Maruti has chosen not to change. The cabin layout remains familiar, and features such as a sunroof and rear centre armrest are still missing. So, if you were expecting a completely redesigned interior, this facelift may feel a little conservative.

Technology and Features: Old vs New Maruti Baleno

The new Baleno does not completely reinvent the cabin tech. In fact, quite a few familiar features continue unchanged. The difference is that Maruti has added a few useful convenience features on top of them.

Technology & Features	Old Baleno	New Baleno
9-inch Touchscreen	Yes	Yes
Head-Up Display	Yes	Yes
Colour MID	Yes	Yes
Wireless Charging	Yes	Yes, with cooling
360-Degree Camera	Yes	Yes
Connected Car Tech	Yes	Yes
Automatic Climate Control	Yes	Yes
Ventilated Front Seats	No	Yes
Clarion Sound System	No	Yes
Steering Controls for ADAS	No	Yes

The biggest additions here are ventilated front seats, a cooled wireless charger and a Clarion branded sound system. The ventilated seats are offered on the higher Alpha and Alpha (O) variants, while the cooled wireless charger is available from Zeta onwards.

We can see that Baleno doesn't bring something out of the box for infotainment setup, but it does make everyday use a little more comfortable. From technology POV, the new model is better, however the intention behind is just to offer useful additions rather than a complete overhaul.

Safety: Old vs New Maruti Baleno

This is where the facelift makes its biggest jump. The old Baleno already had the basics covered, but the new one adds considerably more active safety technology.

• 6 Airbags
• ABS with EBD
• Electronic Stability Control
• Hill Hold Assist
• Rear Parking Sensors
• TPMS
• 360-Degree Camera
• 3-Point Seatbelts
• ISOFIX
• Level 2 ADAS
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Lane Keep Assist
• Lane Departure Warning
• Forward Collision Warning
• Automatic Emergency Braking
• High Beam Assist

The Level 2 ADAS in new Alpha (O) level along with other safety features are the key highlights. TPMS is also new and is available from Delta variant onwards. Another good thing is that apart from the 6 airbags, ESC, hill hold assist, rear parking sensors etc are all standard across variants. So, clearly the new Baleno has an edge in this aspect.

Mechanical Aspects Comparison

The biggest mechanical change is under the bonnet. Maruti has replaced the old 1.2-litre four-cylinder K12N petrol engine with a newer 1.2-litre three-cylinder Z12E unit. It makes slightly less power, but the claimed mileage has improved.

Mechanical Aspect	Old Baleno	New Baleno
Engine	1.2L, 4-cylinder petrol	1.2L, 3-cylinder petrol
Power	90 HP	83 HP
Torque	113 Nm	112 Nm
Manual	5-speed MT	5-speed MT
Automatic	5-speed AMT	5-speed AMT
CNG	Yes	Yes

The new engine's lower power figure may concern buyers who enjoy spirited driving. However, Maruti has focused on efficiency, with the new engine offering better claimed mileage than the outgoing unit.

New Maruti Suzuki Baleno vs Old: Mileage Comparison

Fuel & Transmission	Old Baleno	New Baleno
Petrol MT	~22.35 kmpl	23.80 kmpl
Petrol AMT	~22.94 kmpl	24.77 kmpl
CNG MT	~30.61 km/kg	33.61 km/kg

The old Baleno has the advantage in peak power and its four-cylinder character, while the new one focuses on better claimed efficiency and a newer powertrain. So, this is more of a trade-off than a clear upgrade.

Final Verdict

The new Maruti Baleno feels like a thoughtful facelift rather than a complete transformation. It looks sharper, gets a more feature rich cabin and makes a big jump in safety with Level 2 ADAS and TPMS. Its new three cylinder engine also delivers better claimed mileage, although the outgoing four cylinder unit has the advantage in power and refinement. For new buyers, the facelift makes more sense if features, efficiency and safety are priorities. However, buyers who find a good deal on the outgoing Baleno can still consider it, especially for its stronger engine.

FAQs About Old vs New Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Is the new Maruti Baleno better than the old Baleno?
Yes, overall. The new Baleno offers more safety and comfort features, better claimed mileage and updated styling, although it produces less power.

Does the new Baleno have a three cylinder engine?
Yes, the facelift gets a 1.2 litre three cylinder Z12E petrol engine, replacing the four cylinder K12N engine used in the outgoing model.

Which new Baleno variant gets ADAS?
The Level 2 ADAS package is available on the top Alpha (O) variant. It includes features such as adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist.

Does the new Baleno offer better mileage than the old model?
Yes. The new Baleno claims up to 24.77 kmpl with the AMT, compared with around 22.94 kmpl for the outgoing petrol AMT.

Should you buy the old Baleno if discounts are available?
It can make sense if you prioritise the four cylinder engine and find a substantial discount. Otherwise, the new Baleno offers a more comprehensive package.

Want a closer look at what’s changing with the new Baleno? Explore our complete guide to the Maruti Baleno facelift 2026.