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.
Suzuki Baleno GL – Auto and Manual
There are four models in the new Baleno range (which was launched in February 2022) and the option of manual or automatic in both the entry-level GL and top of range GLX specs.
In the Suzuki Baleno GL manual and automatic versions, Suzuki has added climate control with rear air vents instead of the previously used air conditioning system. The vents are mounted at the back of the new centre armrest with a storage box between the front occupants.
The GL now also boasts electrically adjustable and foldable side mirrors, cruise control and three USB ports, one in front and two at rear. Other standard features on this model include remote central locking, rear parking sensors, a 12V accessory socket and of course the much-loved 7” full-colour Suzuki infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity.
The infotainment system will display information from the in-built reverse camera, and it has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto built in.
The system can be controlled from the controls on the leather-clad steering wheel.
Safety and security in the GL specification level features dual front airbags, an electronic stability programme (ESP), ISOFIX child seat anchors and an alarm and immobiliser as standard. Hill-hold assistance is also standard on the Baleno, starting at the entry-level GL specification.
Suzuki Baleno GLX – Auto and Manual
In the Suzuki Baleno GLX, there is an abundance of luxuries rarely seen in a vehicle in this market segment. These include a head-up display, a full 360-degree round view monitor with side, front and rear-mounted cameras that display a bird’s eye view of the vehicle’s surroundings when parking or manoeuvring at low speeds.
The GLX further has LED projector-style headlamps and LED daytime running lights and 16” polished alloy wheels.
Inside the GLX model, there is a very long list of standard specifications.
The new head-up display offers an array of information from a pop-up screen than neatly retracts into the dashboard when not used.
The 7” infotainment system found in the Baleno GL models is further replaced with a high-resolution 9” system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system also has added Smart Vehicle Alerts and Bluetooth connectivity with steering controls.
Suzuki has added a second full-colour 4.2” display in the instrument cluster where the driver can view a range of vehicle information sources.
The GLX also adds additional interior lighting in the footwells and luggage area, and puddle lighting in the doors, chrome detailing on the door handles and it replaces the standard ignition of the GL with a keyless system with a start/stop button.
To add to the already high safety credentials of the Baleno GL, Suzuki has added four more airbags (front side airbags and full-length curtain airbags) for a total of six. GLX buyers also receive privacy glass as standard and the rear-view mirror dims automatically.
Suzuki Celerio
The 2022 Suzuki Celerio is a brand-new model from the ground up. From the outside, the GL specification – the highest in this range – is distinguished from the GA specification by its 15” darkened alloy wheels (as opposed to 14” steel wheels with modern wheel covers) and body-coloured door handles and side mirrors.
The 2022 Celerio now rides on a new version of Suzuki’s renowned HEARTECT platform.
This platform is used in modern Suzuki models such as the Swift and the new Baleno, and it is well-regarded for its high structural rigidity, innovative energy dispersion channels for greater impact protection and its low weight.
In the front, the dashboard has been redesigned for visibility, a sense of space, and integrating the new 7” touchscreen infotainment system (standard on the GL specification level). This system is equipped with a USB port, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. It also features a host of smart vehicle notifications, alerts and information, such as instantaneous and average fuel consumption, fuel range and information from its integrated rear parking sensors.
The GA model is also equipped with rear parking sensors, but the guidance is audio only. This model has, however, also been pre-equipped with a roof-mounted antenna, two speakers and integrated wiring for the easy fitment of a Suzuki audio system. All models have Bluetooth and audio controls on the steering wheel.
Also new to the Celerio, and SA, is Suzuki’s innovative new DualJet engine technology. The engine (code-named K10C) offers multipoint fuel injection from two injectors per cylinder. The excellent fuel efficiency of the 1-litre DualJet engine does not come at the expense of power delivery. This engine delivers 49 kW at 5 500 rpm and 89 Nm at 3 500 rpm.
The power from the new DualJet engine is delivered to the front wheels via a five-speed manual transmission or an automated manual transmission (AMT) with the same number of gears.
The Celerio has electric power steering. The front-mounted disk brakes are equipped with ABS brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution and emergency brake assistance. AMT-equipped Celerio models also receive a hill-hold assistance (HHA) system as standard.
(Spec information supplied by Suzuki SA media communications)
Prices
Baleno
Every new Baleno is sold with Suzuki’s five-year/200 000 km promotional mechanical warranty. This includes unlimited roadside assistance for the same period.
Pricing includes a four-year/ 60 000km service plan and an anti-corrosion warranty of six years and unlimited kilometres. The Baleno has a 15 000km service interval.
1.5 GL MT R231 900
1.5 GL AT R251 900
1.5 GLX MT R281 900
1.5 GLX AT R301 900
Celerio
The Suzuki Celerio range is sold with Suzuki’s five-year/ 200 000km mechanical warranty and a roadside assistance programme for the same period. A six-year/unlimited anti-corrosion warranty is also included as standard. GL models also receive a two-year/30 000 km service plan as standard.
1.0GA MT: R178 900
1.0GL MT: R198 900
1.0 GL AMT: R213 900
