The premium hatchback market in India is quite competitive. Amongst the vast pool of cars out there, two of the popular ones are the Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Tata Altroz. While they may be in the same segment, these cars are poles apart. The Baleno is focused on delivering value and efficiency, while the Altroz offers safety at its core.
Both these cars have their own strengths and weaknesses, and appeal to different categories of customers. Read through this blog to compare Maruti Suzuki Baleno vs Tata Altroz and how both of them stack up against each other and which one is the best suited for you:
Maruti Suzuki Baleno vs Tata Altroz: Dimensions
| Parameter | Maruti Suzuki Baleno | Tata Altroz |
| Length (mm) | 3,995 mm | 3,990 mm |
| Width (mm) | 1,745 mm | 1,755 mm |
| Height (mm) | 1,510 mm | 1,523 mm |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2,520 mm | 2,501 mm |
| Boot Space (L) | 318 L | 345 L |
| Ground clearance (mm) | 170 mm | 165 mm |
In terms of length, the Baleno is slightly longer than the Altroz by 5 mm. However, the Altroz is marginally wider and taller than the Baleno by 10 mm and 13 mm, respectively suggesting that the cabin space for three occupants in the rear in Altroz is more. Nevertheless, the wheelbase of the Baleno is longer by 19 mm, implying that if you require three people sitting in the back, then the Altroz is suitable, while if you want two people sitting with an emphasis on leg space, then the Baleno would be a better choice.
Talking about boot space, the Altroz has a slightly larger boot space than the Baleno by 27 litres, and the ground clearance of the Baleno is slightly higher than the Altroz by 5 mm. Since the respective cars have nearly identical boot space (Altroz although has more practical space in the boot) and ground clearance, these particular aspects alone should not be the determining factor that influences your decision-making process.
Maruti Suzuki Baleno vs Tata Altroz: Engine
| Parameter | Maruti Suzuki Baleno | Tata Altroz |
| Engine options (cc) | 1.2–litre petrol | 1.2-litre petrol, 1.2-litre turbo petrol, 1.5-litre diesel |
| Transmission options | 5-speed Manual | 5-speed AMT | 5-speed Manual | 6-speed DCT |
| Power (PS) | 90 | 88(Petrol) , 110(Turbo Petrol) & 90(Diesel) |
| Torque (Nm) | 113 | 115(Petrol), 140(Turbo Petrol) & 200(Diesel) |
| Mileage | 22.35 km/l (petrol manual), 22.9 km/l, (petrol automatic), 30.61 km/kg (CNG) | 19.33 km/l (petrol), 18.5 km/l, (turbo petrol), 23.64 km/l (diesel), 18.53 km/kg (CNG) |
Overall, it’s quite clear that the Tata Altroz offers a larger variety of engine options. While both the Altroz and the Baleno have a naturally aspirated petrol engine and CNG option, the Altroz offers a turbo petrol and a diesel option as well. According to these numbers, the 1.2-liter engine in the Baleno is more potent than the normally aspirated engine in the Altroz. Furthermore, the Tata hatchback has a 5-speed manual or a 6 speed DCT (only in NA petrol engines), while an AMT does its duty in the automatic trims of the Baleno. Both transmissions deliver similar levels of performance and smoothness, with the Altroz being slightly more responsive. However, for most drivers, the difference would be negligible.
In terms of mileage, the Baleno wins by a far margin when compared with CNG versions of both cars. Baleno edges past Altroz in the naturally aspirated version as well. However, it would be more economical to go for a diesel Altroz if you have a high running every year. Ultimately, it boils down to your specific use case.
Maruti Suzuki Baleno vs Tata Altroz: Features and Comfort
| Feature | Maruti Suzuki Baleno | Tata Altroz |
| Infotainment System | 9-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay | 7-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay |
| Music System | 6 speakers (Arkamys) | 8 speakers (Harman) |
| Climate Control | Automatic | Automatic |
| Ventilated Seats | Not available | Not available |
| Adjustable Steering | Tilt and Telescopic | Tilt only |
| Drive Modes | Not available | Yes (City and Eco) |
| Instrument Cluster | Analog | Analog and Digital |
| Sunroof | Not available | Not available |
| Adjustable Seats (Manual or Electric) | Manual | Manual |
| Rear AC Vents | Yes | Yes |
| 60:40 Rear Seat Split | Yes | Not available |
| Cruise Control | Yes | Yes |
Both Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Tata Altroz are decently feature loaded. However, the Baleno edges past the Altroz thanks to its bigger and slicker 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system compared to the Altroz’s 7-inch system. It also packs in other goodies such as an HUD, a 360-degree camera, LED projector headlamps, and LED fog lights. Nevertheless, the Baleno does miss out on a digital instrument cluster, a better sounding speaker system (Altroz has a Harman-Kardon 8-speaker setup), rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlamps, all of which the Altroz gets. The Tata Altroz also has a multi-drive mode system for different driving conditions – Eco, City, and Sport modes, which the Maruti Suzuki Baleno does not have. Ultimately, it depends on the buyer’s preferences and priorities in terms of the features they want in their car. However, it is worth noting that the Baleno was updated just last year and the Altroz is due for an upgrade in features in its upcoming racer edition, which will bring more features to bridge the gap.
The Baleno is regarded as a more comfortable car between the two because of its softer suspension system, more comfier seats and more legroom for rear passengers. However, if you don’t travel a lot, and intend on using the car for yourself, the Altroz would be a more optimal choice.
Maruti Suzuki Baleno vs Tata Altroz: Safety Features
| Feature | Maruti Suzuki Baleno | Tata Altroz |
| GNCAP safety ratings | Not tested | 5-star |
| Airbags | Dual front airbags | Dual front airbags, side airbags, curtain airbags |
| ABS with EBD | Yes | Yes |
| ESC | Not available | Available in top-end variant |
| Traction control | Not available | Available in top-end variant |
| Automatic headlamps | Available in top-end variant | Available in top-end variant |
| Rain sensing wipers | Available in top-end variant | Available in top-end variant |
| Hill hold assist | Available in top-end variant | Not available |
| Hill descent control | Not available | Not available |
| Rear sensors | Available in top-end variant | Available in top-end variant |
| Rear parking camera | Available in top-end variant | Available in top-end variant |
| ISOFIX child seat anchor points | Yes | Yes |
| ADAS | Not available | Not available |
Both cars are decently equipped with safety features. In terms of airbags, the Altroz and Baleno come with dual front airbags as standard. Additionally, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno offers side and curtain airbags as an option on the two higher variants, while the Tata Altroz doesn’t have this option.
Both cars come equipped with ABS with EBD, ESC, and traction control as standard to enhance safety and stability while driving. On top spec trims, the Baleno is more well equipped than the Altroz, considering it has a 360-degree camera, and 6 airbags, while the Altroz is a safer choice if you’re opting for lower variants. However, since the Altroz has a 5-stars global NCAP rating, and the Baleno has not been tested yet, the Altroz is a more trusted choice for safety amongst the two. Nevertheless, the Baleno meets the latest Indian safety standards and should be expected to be quite safe.
Maruti Suzuki Baleno vs Tata Altroz: Price & Value Comparison
| Variant | Maruti Suzuki Baleno | Tata Altroz |
| Base | ₹6.61 to 7.45 lakh | ₹6.60 to 6.80 lakh |
| Mid | ₹8.00 lakh | ₹7.45 lakh |
| Upper mid | ₹8.38 to 8.93 lakh | ₹8.00 to 8.35 lakh |
| Top | ₹9.33 to 9.88 lakh | ₹8.5 to 10.50 lakh |
Both cars are quite similarly priced, with the range of the Baleno starting from Rs 5.90 lakh to 8.37 lakh, while the Altroz starts from Rs 5.44 lakh to Rs 7.89 lakh. The Altroz undercuts the Baleno in every variant, and yet manages to offer a similar set of features. The entry point for the Altroz is marginally lower than the Baleno, under-cutting it by almost Rs 50,000. The middle variant of the Baleno is pricier by Rs 39,000, the upper middle by Rs 48,000 and the top again by Rs 48,000.
Base variant: For a budget conscious buyer, the base variant of the Baleno satisfies most of the basic essentials that a car should have, but the upper-mid variant of the Altroz, is regarded as the most value for money trim. You get access to all three powertrain choices.
Maruti Suzuki Baleno and Tata Altroz are two popular premium hatchbacks in India. The Baleno has a lower price, higher mileage, and more fuel options than Altroz while the latter has a higher safety rating, better driving dynamics, and more features than Baleno. Both cars have similar dimensions, engine power, and transmission options. In the end, the choice between the two cars all boils down on the preference of the buyer for safety, performance, or economy.
