In the Middle East market, Suzuki Baleno's economical fuel consumption performance, reasonable price and reliable performance make it a popular choice for young families, as well as first-time buyers and those looking for an urban alternative.
Cartea will analyse the feature differences between the two Suzuki Baleno models in detail to help consumers make an informed decision when shopping.
Overview
The Suzuki Baleno is a compact car known for its economy, reliability and comfort. Since it was first released in 2015, it has attracted many owners around the world with its spacious interior, modern design and excellent fuel efficiency.
For the Middle East market, the Suzuki Baleno remains in its affordable brand positioning, while offering a wide range of configuration options to suit consumers with different needs.
The Baleno is available in two main models: the GL and GLX, which differ in exterior design, interior features and technical equipment. In the next section, we'll look at the highlights and differences between the two models.
Suzuki Baleno GL
The Suzuki Baleno GL is the entry-level model for consumers who are looking for value for money and basic features. Despite being a base model, it still comes with an excellent feature set for daily driving.
The GL model is powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine with a maximum output of 103 hp and peak torque of 138 Nm. This power supply is not very strong, but it is sufficient for daily urban commuting and is relatively fuel efficient. The engine is mated to a 4-speed automatic gearbox, which is smooth and easy to drive, especially in the city.
The Baleno GL model features the Suzuki family front design with smooth lines and a clean front grille with headlamp clusters.The GL model comes with 15-inch steel wheels, which are not as premium as the aluminium alloy wheels, but still ensure a solid feel to the vehicle. The headlamps are halogen and provide basic illumination.
Moving inside, the Baleno GL comes with fabric seats and a clean interior design with well laid out and easy to access function buttons. The centre console houses a 7-inch touchscreen display that supports basic entertainment features including Bluetooth connectivity, USB port, etc. The air conditioning system is manual.
For safety features, the GL model offers basic dual airbags, including those for the front driver and passenger. It is also equipped with an ABS anti-lock braking system and an EBD electronic brake force distribution system to ensure that the vehicle remains stable during emergency braking. Reversing radar is also fitted as standard, providing the driver with some reversing assistance.
Suzuki Baleno GLX
The Suzuki Baleno GLX is the premium version for those looking for more technology and comfort. Compared to the GL, the GLX is a more significant improvement in exterior, equipment and technology.
The powertrain is the same as the GL model.
The GLX model has a more premium exterior, and the addition of 16-inch aluminium alloy wheels makes the entire car look more stylish and dynamic.
The taillights are upgraded to LED headlights, and compared to the halogen lights of the GL model, the LED light clusters provide better lighting, which not only enhances the safety of night driving, but also improves the vehicle's sense of technology.
In addition, the GLX is equipped with front fog lamps and a rear spoiler, which not only gives the vehicle a sportier appearance, but also improves visibility and safety under different road conditions.
When entering the cabin of the GLX model, the first thing that strikes you is the more upmarket materials. The seats are made of premium fabric and a leather-wrapped steering wheel is also available to enhance the feel while driving.
Compared to the GL's 7-inch touchscreen, the GLX comes with a 9-inch multimedia display, which not only has a clearer display, but also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The GLX is also equipped with an automatic air-conditioning system that automatically adjusts according to the interior temperature to provide a more comfortable ride. For the hot climate of the Middle East, this feature is obviously more practical.
The GLX offers more protection in terms of safety. In addition to the dual front airbags, GLX adds side airbags to provide more comprehensive safety protection for passengers.
At the same time, the GLX is equipped with a reversing camera as standard. Compared to the GL's reversing radar, the camera provides a more intuitive view of reversing, reduces blind spots and improves safety when parking.
In fact, GLX is equipped with keyless entry and one-touch start function, which facilitates the operation of daily use of the car.
Prices
The Suzuki Baleno is priced as follows in the Saudi market:
Baleno GL：SAR 60,950
Baleno GLX：SAR 67,275
Summary
Regarding the Suzuki Baleno model, both the GL and GLX models offer superb value for money, and with a price difference of only SAR 7,000 between the two models, I would recommend the GLX model.