Baleno

The Baleno is powered by a 1.2 litre K12N engine with 90bhp and 113Nm. It features dual VVT and two injectors per cylinder. While most cars today have turbocharged three cylinders, we like Suzuki’s old-school approach with a smooth, simpler, reliable, naturally aspirated four-cylinder.

- Vivek Venugopal

This is the second generation Baleno and it’s hard to tell by looking at it. The key components of the chassis have been retained although it’s a thorough revision with mostly new underpinnings. The styling is evolutionary and each body panel is new. The front end has been designed to look wider with redesigned headlamps and grille. The side has a more pronounced shoulder line and a smaller window on the C pillar. The rear tail lamps have a portion that extends to the tailgate and the spoiler looks better integrated than in the last car. The car feels more solid than the last one, in the way the door shut and skin panels feel tauter. It weighs roughly 55-70 kilos more than before.