Suzuki is launching its new C-segment hatchback in South Africa this week. Take a look at the details and local pricing for the new Baleno.

We drove the Suzuki Baleno back in May at its internationallaunch in Ireland and we think it's a good-value product. The Baleno is quite large. It's bigger than the VolkswagenPolo, but smaller than the Golf and is similarly priced to the Polo.

You can read our first impression of the Baleno here.

Suzuki Baleno details

International markets get a fancy 3-cylinder turbopetrol engine but locally, the Baleno will be fitted with a 1.4-litre naturally aspirated engine. The engine is pulled from the current Swift, Ertiga and Ciaz. It’s good for 68 kW and 130 Nm of torque and buyers have the choice betweena 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission, with the auto only available in top-spec GLX form.

The Suzuki Baleno is a spacious C-segment offering and is competitively priced too.

Fuel economy is claimed at 5.1 L/100 km for the manual and 5.4 L/100 km for the automatic and if our experience of Suzukis is anything to go by, you’re likely to get very close to that figure over the long term. Acceleration times are average for a car in this segment with the manual managing the 0-100 kph sprint in 10.9 seconds while the automatic is a bit slower at 11.6 seconds.

On the inside, the top-spec Baleno GLX, features a 6.2-inch infotainment system, something local Suzuki buyers will see as a much-needed upgrade. The GLX is well-equipped with standard features like cruise control, automatic air-conditioning and rear park distance control. The GLX model also gains 4 additional airbags over the GL model, witha total of 6 airbags. The GLX also gainsrear disc brakes, while the GL derivative has rear drum brakes. Standard fare across the range are USB and Auxports.

The Baleno GLX features a much-needed6.2-inch infotainment system and a leather steering wheel.

Space is where the Baleno excels with a boot size of 355-litres and 1085-litres when the rear seats are folded down. Cloth seats are the standardacross the Baleno range with the GLX model getting a leather ensconced steering wheel. The Baleno GL is fitted with 15-inch steel wheels and 16-inch alloys are offered on the GLX derivative.

Suzuki Baleno prices in South Africa (February 2017)

Click here for the latest Suzuki Baleno pricing in South Africa

The Baleno appears to be extremely competitively priced for a hatchback of its size. It’s backed up by a 3-year/100 000 km warranty and a 4-year/60 000 km service plan.

1.4 GL MT R199 900

1.4 GLX MT R229 900

1.4 GLX AT R244900

Also Read:

Suzuki Baleno (2016) First Drive

5 Cars the new Suzuki Baleno needs to beat

Extended Test: Suzuki Swift 1.4 GLS [Video]

Suzuki Vitara 1.6 GL+ (2016) Review

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