After a lengthy teaser campaign, the facelifted Suzuki Baleno has been revealed. See specification details below!

The Suzuki Baleno has been quite a popular hatchback in India, where it is assembled, with Maruti Suzuki claiming that a Balenois sold every 3 minutes. It is also one of the top 5 best-selling cars inIndia. In South Africa, it wasn’t as popular until it gained a Toyota badge and a new name, Starlet.

Visually, the new Baleno adopts a design philosophy called ‘Crafted Futurism’.You can spot the updated model with a new-look grille with new LED headlights and LED daytime running lights. The rear is where the real changes lie and the new taillights are quite radical. There are new-look 10-spoke 16-inch alloy wheels too. Inside, the cabin has been redesigned with a multi-layer dashboard and new contoured seats.

The big news, however, is that the new Baleno gains more power!

More power and featuresfor Suzuki Baleno

The new Baleno not only gains a more powerful engine but its standard specification has also been enhanced.

Under the skin, there’s a new suspension setup and the 2023 Suzuki Baleno features a more powerful 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder engine now delivering 77kW and 138 Nm. Both a 5-speedmanual and 4-speed automatic gearboxes will be offered in both GL and GLX trim grades

Suzuki says that the new Baleno has a best-in-class power-to-weight ratio as it weighs roughly 955 kg giving it a ratioof 81kW per tonne. More so, the Baleno weighs, on average, 10% less than its competitors but with a 30% higher power-to-weight ratio.

A new infotainment system makes its way into the new Baleno as well as a host of other nice-to-haves.

As far as features go, the 2023 Suzuki Baleno comes fully loaded both in terms of convenience and safety features. In base GL trim, the Baleno gains features such as cruise control and climate control air conditioningwith rear-mounted vents. A7-inch touchscreen infotainment system will be fitted as standard and devices can be connected via 2 USB ports (front and rear) as well as a rear USB-C port in the rear. A multi-function leather steering wheel with audio, phone, cruise control, electric window and mirror controls is also fitted. Safety features include dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, brake assist, electronic stability control and hill hold control.

If you opt for the Baleno in GLX guise, features such as a larger 9-inch high-definition infotainment system (with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capability) as well as a 360-degree camera and Head’s-Up Display. A total of 6 airbags are fitted on the Baleno GLX.

Suzuki will also offer 5 new colours for the new Baleno includingCelestial Blue Pearl Metallic, Luxe Beige Pearl Metallic, Opulent Red Pearl Metallic and Splendid Silver Pearl Metallic and Grandeur Grey Metallic. These colours are in addition toArctic White Pearl and Midnight Black Pearl.

Production of the new Suzuki Baleno will begin in April 2022 with the first customer deliveries expected in June 2022. Pricing and final specification details will be communicated closer to launch.

We’re also wondering when Toyota will reveal its updated Starlet, which will be mechanically identical to the vehicle you see here.

Buy a used Suzuki Baleno on Cars.co.za

Further Reading

Toyota Starlet Review

Suzuki Baleno Review