2026 Maruti Baleno Facelift Spied For The First Time [Video]
The current generation Maruti Baleno is set to get a facelift this year. The mid-life update has now been spied testing for the first time. A video showing different angles of the test mule has been shared on the YouTube channel Harsh Vlogs.
In the clip, we see the test mule driving through a highway. It has heavy camouflage on it. Initially, we see the rear of the car. The dimensions seem to be the same as that of the outgoing model- as expected from a facelift. The rear design remains largely familiar. The tailgate design seems to have been retained as such.
The rear bumper seems to have minor design changes. The LED tail lamp cluster has been redesigned slightly. The internals may be new on the upcoming model. We will only be able to confirm once we see the car without the camouflage.
The silhouette remains largely unchanged. But we will notice fresh alloy wheels. The wing mirrors come with integrated LED turn indicators. The front end now looks fresh and sleek. It has a completely new front bumper, redesigned headlamps, and a new grille. Despite the camouflage, these details can be clearly deduced.
The way the grille design has evolved on the facelift is quite interesting. It appears to be wider and sleeker than before. The air dam on the front bumper is also new. The car has regular pull-type handles for all four doors- just like the outgoing model.
The video even gives us a quick glimpse into the cabin. Though it is difficult to make out the finer details, we can see a large central touchscreen, just like that of the outgoing model. We expect it to come with new upholstery options and a cabin that largely feels fresh. The equipment list will be revised.
Expect it to come with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa integration, a fully digital instrument cluster, sunroof, 360-degree camera, ventilated front seats, wireless charger and more. The actual list of features remain unclear. The introduction of these, however, will make the product stronger and more competitive.
Since this is a mid-cycle facelift and not a new generation model, mechanical changes are unlikely. It will likely continue with the familiar 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine with DualJet technology. There are, however, rumours of a Fronx-sourced 1.0L turbocharged petrol engine being introduced on the hatchback. Time remains before we learn more.
The 1.2 naturally aspirated petrol makes 89hp and 113Nm and is offered with both a five-speed manual gearbox and an automatic transmission. It is known to deliver a good balance of efficiency and smooth performance.
The Baleno also has a CNG variant on offer, in which the engine output is 76 hp and 98.5 Nm. It comes exclusively with a manual transmission. The facelift is also likely to come with an underbody CNG tank- like what we see on the Victoris.
The outgoing Baleno excels with its ride quality. The suspension is so well tuned that it is one of the most comfortable sub-15 lakh cars to be in. We expect this trait to be retained on the new model as well.
With this facelift, Maruti Suzuki aims to keep the Baleno relevant in India’s fast evolving automotive landscape. The Baleno was first launched in 2015. It received a facelift in 2019 and the (current) second-generation came in 2022. It is one of the company’s most successful premium hatchbacks here, and keeping it competitive is critical. We expect the facelift to launch sometime in the coming months, when we will be able to learn more about it.