Maruti Baleno is one of India’s top-selling premium hatchbacks, and now it has proven its worth in a new area—safety. With a solid performance in Bharat NCAP’s latest crash tests, Baleno challenges strong contenders like Tata Altroz and Toyota Glanza, earning new attention from safety-conscious buyers.

Crash Test Ratings: A Strong Performance

Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP) recently crashed two cars of the Maruti Baleno. The variant featuring 6 airbags received 26.52 out of a possible 32 points for adult safety and 34.81 out of 49 points for child safety. Even the lesser variant with just 2 airbags fared quite well, earning 24.04 points for adult safety.

These ratings indicate that Baleno has been designed with crash safety in mind. The 4-star adult safety rating particularly puts it ahead of some hatchback competitors in this segment.

Safety Features That Matter

Baleno is equipped with safety features, particularly in its top trims. Throughout the range, it has electronic stability program (ESP), hill hold assist, rear parking sensors, and high-speed warning system. Dual airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners, force limiters, and reminders are standard fitment.

ISOFIX child seat mounts and brake assist improve the safety quotient further. In addition to this, top-of-the-line models come with 6 airbags, a 360-degree camera, and a rear parking camera for added peace of mind.

Engine and Performance

Baleno is driven by a 1.2-liter, 4-cylinder petrol motor generating 89 bhp and 113 Nm of torque. Baleno has both a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed AMT automatic transmission. For users prioritizing mileage, the same engine is available with a factory-installed CNG feature.

Although power decreases marginally in CNG mode, the fuel efficiency makes it an interesting choice for routine commuting.

Price Range and Variants

Baleno is priced from ₹6.70 lakh to ₹9.92 lakh (ex-showroom). That is reasonably placed in contention with segment leaders Hyundai i20 and Tata Altroz. Interestingly, Toyota Glanza, which is basically the rebadged Baleno, is based on similar strengths.

Verdict on Value

Baleno merges fashionable styling, efficient performance, and now well-demonstrated safety—all for a price that undercuts many competitors. For customers seeking a full hatchback that doesn’t make any sacrifices on protection, Baleno is the winner.