Suzuki Baleno II (2015 – 2025)

Reliability score : 8.5/10

The Suzuki Baleno II marks the return of this nameplate as a particularly spacious and rational versatile city car (B-segment). Based on the lightweight Heartect platform, it stands out for its featherlight weight (often under a ton), which greatly benefits efficiency and dynamism. Diesel Focus (1.3 DDiS): Although the European career of the Baleno (2016-2019) was exclusively petrol and mild-hybrid, the model achieved immense success in India (Maruti Suzuki) and other emerging markets where it was offered with the famous 1.3 DDiS diesel engine (of Fiat origin). This block was withdrawn from the catalog around 2020 following the entry into force of BS6 anti-pollution standards in India. The Baleno benefited from a facelift in 2019, then a major redesign in 2022 (mainly for Asian and African

✅ Strengths

Exceptional fuel consumption of the 1.3 DDiS (often below 4.5 L/100 km real-world)
Record rear passenger space for the category (B-segment)
Generous boot volume (355 liters)
Overall reliability of engines (petrol and diesel)
Featherlight weight promoting agility and economy of consumables (brakes, tires)

⚠️ Weaknesses

Poor sound insulation (the 1.3 DDiS engine is particularly noisy and vibrating in this lightweight cabin)
Interior plastic quality (hard, prone to scratches)
Very thin and fragile paint (prone to stone chips)
Sometimes choppy damping at low speeds
Feeling of lightness at high speed (sensitivity to crosswinds)

🎯 Verdict

The Suzuki Baleno II is an eminently pragmatic choice. If you're aiming for the 1.3 DDiS (diesel) engine, you're opting for a true workhorse, capable of racking up miles at a ridiculously low cost thanks to the legendary robustness of the Fiat-derived block. However, this engine lacks refinement (noise, vibrations) in such a light and poorly insulated car. It is best reserved for high-mileage drivers in countries where it is still relevant. For mixed or urban use, the petrol engines (1.2 Dualjet leading the way) are much more recommendable, offering superior operating silence and almost perfect reliability.