Baleno vs Dzire: Which Maruti Should You Buy Under INR 7 Lakhs?

If you are in the market for a car under a very tight budget of INR 7 lakh and are confused between the Maruti Suzuki Baleno and the newly launched Dzire, do not worry. We have covered every important aspect of these two vehicles in a detailed manner to clear all your doubts. 

The Dzire is sold through Maruti's Arena dealerships whereas the Baleno is available through the brand’s premium Nexa network. The Dzire recently got a generational upgrade, giving it a new look and modern features. In contrast, the Baleno received its second generational upgrade last year consisting of a fresh and sharp design and a host of modern features.

These two are some of the top-selling products in their respective segments and are priced similarly, which draws this comparison. 

Since we are restricted to a budget of INR 7 lakhs, we are limited to the base variant of both these frugal Marutis. This means that our comparison takes into account the Baleno in its Sigma MT trim and the Dzire in its LXi trim. 

Time to see which of these offers the most bang for your buck. 

Baleno vs Dzire: The ultimate value showdown

Build and design

The new 2024 Maruti Suzuki Dzire made history by achieving a five-star rating from the GNCAP. The second generation Baleno on the other hand has not been tested yet so we do not know how safe or unsafe it might be. However, the previous iteration of the Baleno was tested by Latin NCAP which received zero stars. After this, Maruti made structural enhancements to the new second-generation model for enhanced safety.

In terms of design, the new Dzire steals the show. This car looks drastically different and better than anything Maruti has ever designed. Some people are saying Dzire’s front fascia now looks similar to the Audi A4. This is a great compliment for a car in the entry-level segment. 

However, looks are subjective and the Baleno too looks gorgeous with its uniquely sharp and sleek design language. Both these cars a sub-four metres in length to keep the costs in check. The Dzire is 3995mm long and the Baleno is 3990mm long with a wheelbase of 2450mm and 2520mm respectively. This longer wheelbase significantly elevates the seating comfort and cabin space for the Baleno.

Features

Both cars are equipped with electric power steering, steel rims, seat belt warning, ABS, EBD, ESP, engine immobiliser, speed sensing door locks, keyless central locking etc as standard. The Dzire gets manual AC whereas the Baleno offers an automatic climate control system.

The Dzire gets projector halogen lamps whereas the Baleno offers reflector-based Halogen lights. Interestingly, both cars get LED tail lamps. The Dzire LXi gets six airbags whereas the Baleno Sigma MT comes with only two at the moment. Both cars have power windows on all the doors but lack any kind of infotainment system.

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Performance

The Baleno is powered by Maruti’s tried and tested 1.2-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated VVT petrol engine. The Dzire on the other hand gets a brand new Z12E mill, which is a 1.2-litre three-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine.

The Baleno produces 88 hp and 113 Nm of peak torque, whereas the Dzire churns out 80 hp and 111.7 Nm of peak torque. Maruti Suzuki claims a fuel efficiency figure of 24.79 km/l for the Dzire and 22.35 km/l for the Baleno.

Choosing between these two ultimately boils down to your personal preferences. If you want an exciting driving experience, the Baleno with its peppy engine makes for a good choice. The Dzire, however, makes itself desirable with its superior fuel efficiency. 

Pricing 

Now comes the most important aspect, the pricing.

The Dzire LXi is available at an ex-showroom price of INR 6.79 lakh, whereas the Baleno Sigma MT is on sale for an ex-showroom price of INR 6.66 lakh. The Baleno is INR 13,000 cheaper than the Dzire, making it a steal deal for most people. The Dzire also offers great value for its price.

Conclusion

Which of these two cars should you buy then?

If safety is a top priority (as it should be), then the Dzire with its proven crash-worthiness is the car for you. It gets a five-star rated safer build along with six airbags and a host of other safety features. The extended boot, despite being smaller than conventional sedans, offers ample space to store luggage and the fuel-efficient engine offers a longer range, both of which make it a great highway tourer. In many ways, the Dzire is the ideal car for most people limiting their budgets to INR 10 lakhs.

As for the Baleno, this premium hatch offers slightly better cabin space and seating comfort. The 1.2-litre four-cylinder K-series engine offers a fine balance of performance and fuel efficiency to tackle highways and urban landscapes with ease. The boot space, though, is slightly smaller than what you get on the Dzire, which may challenge the value-conscious buyers.  

Adding to that is the lack of any crash-worthiness certification, which tips the scales in favour of the proven Maruti Dzire.

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