Suzuki Baleno

• In city traffic, the car responds quickly to throttle inputs, and the 4-speed automatic stays in the right gear. Around-town driving is relaxed and fatigue-free.
• Official fuel efficiency is rated at up to 19 km per liter, which in real Saudi conditions with the air conditioning running translates to roughly 15 to 16 km per liter.
• The lightweight platform, at just 980 kg kerb weight, makes the Baleno feel more alert and responsive than its power figure suggests. It changes direction easily and parks without any stress.

Some Realities

• At 120 km/h on the highway, the engine feels busy. There is noticeable engine noise in the cabin at highway speeds.
• It is fair to say the 4-speed automatic is the weakest link, as rivals at a similar price now use CVT or 6-speed units that are noticeably smoother in transitions and more responsive in city traffic.

• For the most part, the hatch feels planted and well-composed for its size and price. It takes speed bumps in the city well and even handles some rough roads.
• The steering feels light and precise, which makes it very easy to thread through parking lots and tight lanes in older city districts like Al Balad in Jeddah or Al Dirah in Riyadh. One of the car's most underrated qualities is how unstressed it is to maneuver every single day.
• Road noise at city speeds is well controlled. Suzuki has worked on insulation for this generation, and the result is a cabin that feels quieter than its price would suggest on urban roads.
• The 360-degree camera system on the GLX, using four cameras with a 3D overhead view, is one of the best parking aids available at this price point anywhere. Parallel parking on a busy Jeddah street or reversing into a tight villa gate becomes genuinely easy.

Things That Matter More

• At highway speeds above 100 km/h, road and wind noise become more intrusive. 
• The suspension is tuned for comfort over rough city roads, but on sharp speed bumps at speed, the rear end feels slightly bouncy. 
• 150 mm of ground clearance means you need to approach some of the sharper speed bumps in Saudi residential areas carefully, particularly the unmarked ones.
• You don’t get adaptive cruise control or a lane centering system at any trim level.

• You get fabric seats, manual air conditioning, a 7-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, push-button start, keyless entry, 15-inch alloys, and a multi-function steering wheel. For this money, the list of standard equipment is hard to argue with.
• Higher variants get a leather-wrapped steering wheel, steering-mounted audio controls, and a small step up in refinement without a significant jump in price. For buyers on Aqsat who want a slightly more complete package, the difference in monthly payment is barely noticeable.
• The top-end variants get a 9-inch HD touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a combiner-type Head-Up Display that projects speed and fuel economy onto the windshield, a 360-degree view camera using four separate cameras, LED projector headlamps with LED DRLs, 16-inch dual-tone alloys, automatic climate control, and six airbags.
• The combiner Head-Up Display on the GLX is a feature that really  changes your driving habit after a few days. Instead of looking down to check speed, you keep your eyes on the road. On a busy Riyadh intersection, that matters.
• Boot space is 355 liters with the rear seats in use, expanding significantly when the 60:40 split-folding rear seats are down.

What is Missing

• There are no rear air conditioning vents on any Baleno trim.
• Seat material on all trims is fabric; there is no leather option anywhere in the range.
• The rear seat legroom is adequate for two adults but genuinely tight for three across, even on a short journey.
• The 4-speaker audio system on the GL and GL Plus is basic and shows its limitations at moderate volume. The GLX adds tweeters for a modest improvement.

What is Included

• At the base you get dual front airbags, ABS with electronic brake force distribution, an electronic stability program, Hill Hold Control, ISOFIX child seat anchors, rear parking sensors, an immobilizer, and a security alarm as standard. For a car at this price, that is a responsible base-level package.
• In the higher variants, this upgrades to six airbags, adding front side airbags and curtain airbags. The jump from two to six airbags between the GL and GLX is significant and worth considering for any buyer with passengers in the back seat regularly.
• You also get a rearview camera and a 360-degree four-camera system, which contribute to parking safety in congested urban environments like Riyadh and Jeddah.
• A pedestrian injury-mitigating body structure is engineered into the Baleno's bonnet, front bumper, and fender areas to reduce the severity of impacts with pedestrians. For a city car that spends most of its life in areas with high pedestrian activity, this is a meaningful design consideration.

Things to Consider

• No independent crash test rating from NCAP or equivalent bodies exists for the Saudi Arabia market specification of the Baleno. 
• The GL trim's dual airbag setup is notably weaker than the six-airbag configuration on the GLX. 
• There is no Automatic Emergency Braking or Blind Spot Warning on any Baleno trim. At this price point that is understandable, but buyers comparing against rivals that are starting to include these features at similar or only slightly higher prices should factor this in.
• Resale value for the Baleno is supported by Suzuki's reliability reputation and the established Naghi Auto network.