I BOUGHT one – so need I say more about my week spent test-driving the top of the range Suzuki Baleno?
Being in the market for a mid-level vehicle, I took a look at several cars and soon realised there are not a lot of options under the R300 000 mark. In fact if you buy a top- of-the-range entry level vehicle, you will end up in the mid R200 000s.
With the top-of-the-range Baleno hatchback being less than R300 000 and the entry level in the mid- R200 000s, as far as price was concerned, it was a no-brainer to have it on my shopping list.
And when my husband saw it, it was love at first sight for him. While I was leaning more towards a cross-over vehicle rather than a hatchback, with its high ground clearance the Baleno caught my interest too.
For me the deal was clinched getting in the driver’s seat and seeing all the bells and whistles and beautiful, not to mention stylish design, and things one would find in much pricier vehicles.
There is a cheaper GL model, but I preferred to pay a bit extra for some of the comfort features that the top of the range GLX offers. These include keyless entry with start/stop ignition, adjustable steering wheel, the heads-up display showing an array of information, such as time and speed, as well as auto headlights.
And then the dealmaker for me – the beautiful touchscreen infotainment system with a reverse camera which offers you a 360°-view.
There is also a USB socket in front and two in the centre armrest for the backseat passengers.
Its handling is light, the engine is quiet and while it is a city slicker of note, it offered a beautiful drive on the open road. Its 1,5 litre engine proved strong enough for confident overtaking, even though it isn’t turbo-charged. Suzuki has replaced the 1.4 litre petrol engine of the previous-generation Baleno with its powerful K15B petrol engine with variable valve timing, multipoint fuel injection and 16 valves per cylinder.
This engine, which is also used in the Suzuki-built Toyota Starlet and Urban Cruiser, and in Suzuki models such as the Jimny and Ertiga, delivers 77 kW at 6 000 rpm and 138 Nm of torque at 4 400 rpm.
Celerio: A small car with lots of attitude
For those looking for a vehicle under the R200 000 mark that also stands out among similarly priced vehicles, is Suzuki’s Celerio, that I also test-drove earlier this year.
The Celerio looks and performs like a car with attitude – it just looks as though it has more oomph than its entry-level counterparts. And you can judge this car by its cover – it certainly has a lot of oomph and energy on the road as well.
Its handling is light, gear-shifting a breeze, and simply is a sleek city slicker. It is also quite spacious, even for the back-seat passengers and the boot offers more than adequate space for the market it caters for.
