Maruti Baleno gets a major facelift – fresh 1.2‑litre engine, CNG option and up to 34 km/kg mileage

Maruti Suzuki has finally given the Baleno the overhaul many fans have been waiting for. The facelift, which rolled out in early September, isn’t just about a shinier grille or fresh colour options – under the bonnet lives a completely new power‑train.

Gone is the old 1.2‑litre K12N engine. In its place sits a 1.2‑litre, three‑cylinder unit that pumps out about 83 hp and 112 Nm of torque. It feels a tad more lively, especially in city traffic, and the engine’s lighter weight also helps with fuel efficiency. For the first time, Maruti is offering the Baleno with a CNG variant, a move that should appeal to the mileage‑obsessed crowd.

Speaking of mileage, the numbers Maruti is quoting are impressive. The manual‑petrol version is claimed to achieve 23.80 km per litre, while the AMT‑equipped model nudges that up to 24.77 km/l. The CNG‑powered Baleno, on the other hand, is advertised to hit a striking 33.61 km per kg of gas – roughly 34 km per kilogram, if you round it off. Whether those figures hold up on the road remains to be seen, but they’re certainly eye‑catching.

Pricing starts at around ₹6.10 lakh, which places the Baleno squarely in the affordable‑hatchback segment. Maruti has sliced the lineup into four trims – Sigma, Delta, Zeta and Alpha – giving buyers a clear ladder to climb in terms of features and comfort.

And the features list is surprisingly generous. Even the base variant now comes with six airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability programme and hill‑hold assist. Move up to the Zeta or Alpha, and you’ll find a 360‑degree camera, LED tail lamps, projector‑type halogen headlamps and a tilt‑adjustable steering wheel, among other niceties.

Inside, the cabin feels a little more premium than before. Fabric upholstery is now standard on higher trims, and the 15‑inch alloy wheels give the car a more refined stance. The dashboard layout has been tidied up, and the infotainment system – though still modest – supports Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Overall, the 2026 Baleno looks like Maruti’s answer to the growing demand for fuel‑sipping hatchbacks that don’t skimp on safety or tech. Whether the new engine and CNG option will sway the price‑sensitive Indian buyer remains to be watched, but the package certainly feels more complete than it did a few years ago.