Maruti Suzuki Baleno

The second-generation Baleno is Maruti Suzuki's biggest premium hatchback, and one of India's consistent best-sellers. It pairs a frugal 1.2-litre petrol with a roomy cabin, a large boot and a long features list that now includes a head-up display and a 360-degree camera. Sold through Nexa, it targets buyers stepping up from entry hatchbacks who want space, low running costs and easy city manners without moving to an SUV.

On the road the Baleno is tuned for everyday ease rather than excitement. The 1.2-litre DualJet petrol makes a modest 89 bhp, but the car's light kerb weight means it feels brisk enough around town and relaxed on the highway. The five-speed manual is smooth and the AMT, while not as slick as a torque-converter or CVT, suits stop-go traffic and helps stretch fuel economy. Claimed mileage of over 22 kmpl is genuinely achievable with a gentle right foot, and the CNG option pushes running costs lower still for high-mileage users.

Inside, space is the Baleno's strong suit. There is generous knee room at the back, a flat floor and a 318-litre boot that swallows a weekend's luggage. The dashboard looks more upmarket than before, with a nine-inch SmartPlay Pro+ touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a head-up display and an Arkamys-tuned sound system on top trims. Material quality is acceptable for the segment, though some hard plastics and a slightly flimsy feel to a few switches remind you where the money was saved.

Ride and handling are set up for comfort. The suspension soaks up broken city roads well at low speeds, and the light steering makes parking effortless. Push harder and the soft setup allows some body roll, while the thin tyres and light structure mean it never feels as planted at speed as a heavier European rival. Refinement is good for a small petrol, with road and wind noise creeping in only above 100 kmph.

The sticking point is safety. Even with six airbags, ESP and a 360-degree camera on higher variants, the Baleno's bodyshell is built to a price and it has not been a strong performer in independent crash testing. For buyers who rank crash protection highly, that is worth weighing against the car's clear strengths in space, economy and running costs.