Suzuki Baleno

The Suzuki Baleno is a subcompact car produced by the Japanese manufacturer Suzuki since 2015. Prior to this, the "Baleno" nameplate had been applied to the Suzuki Cultus Crescent in numerous export markets.

The car was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2015, and was launched in India on October 24, 2015 and in Japan on March 9, 2016. It became available in Europe in April 2016.

It is manufactured exclusively in India, by Maruti Suzuki, as a five-doorhatchback. It is built on a newly-developed platform, that features a powertrain range of three options (for the international model): a new 1.0 l Boosterjet 3-cylinder direct-injection turbo petrol engine, a four-cylinder 1.2 l Dualjet petrol engine with SHVS (Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki) and a normal 1.2 l Dualjet petrol engine. There are two engine options for the Indian model: a 1.2 l four cylinder K-Series petrol engine and a 1.3 l four cylinder DDIS 190 diesel engine. The 1.0 l Boosterjet is yet to arrive in India. It is expected to launch till Diwali in the Baleno RS variant.

It was tested by Euro NCAP in April 2016, receiving a four-star overall safety rating. It offers standard frontal and side head and chest airbags, as well as forward collision warning with auto braking.

Other versions
Main articles: Suzuki Cultus Crescent, Suzuki Aerio, and Suzuki SX4

From 1995 to 2002, the Suzuki Baleno that was sold in Europe and Asia Pacificwas a rebadged Suzuki Cultus Crescent. After the introduction of the Suzuki Aerio in 2001, the Baleno nameplate was discontinued in Europe and Asia Pacific, and the nameplate would be used only in Indonesia, where the Baleno was a rebadged Suzuki Aerio sedan, marketed as the Suzuki Baleno Next-G, sold from 2002 to 2007, and also a rebadged Suzuki SX4 sedan, marketed as the Suzuki Neo Baleno and then Suzuki Baleno SX4, that was sold from 2008 to 2010. The first generation Maruti Suzuki Baleno was also produced and sold in India until 2007.