Maruti Suzuki is one manufacturer that doesn’t hesitate in introducing multiple products in the same price bracket. When a product is priced so close to another product from the same company, one of them starts affecting sales of the other. This process is called cannibalization. Maruti believes that it is better to cannibalise your own products, instead of leaving enough gap for another manufacturer to get in and take a few customers away. And if the sales reports are anything to go by, Maruti clearly appears to be finding success with this strategy, with its massive market share being a proof of the same.
While there are multiple examples of market cannibalization present in Maruti’s lineup of cars, there are two products that are extremely close to each other – the 2017 Maruti Dzire vs Maruti Baleno. Both these cars are built on the same platform, have roughly the same features, and come at around the same price tag. As a result, it becomes difficult for customers to decide which is the best car to buy – the 2017 Maruti Suzuki Dzire or the Maruti Baleno.
Must Read: Maruti Dzire 2017 vs Vitara Brezza
As a result, we have compiled the most comprehensive comparison report on the new Dzire 2017 vs the Baleno. In order to make this comparison beneficial for the end customer, we have mentioned variant-wise feature comparison with prices, exterior and interior design comparison, mileage comparison, as well as specification comparison. This will help you to narrow down your choices and thus make a final decision of buying your next new car.
2017 Maruti Dzire vs Maruti Baleno – Petrol Specifications Comparison
| 2017 Maruti Dzire Petrol | Maruti Baleno Petrol | |
| Engine | 1.2-litre, four-cylinder VVT | 1.2-litre, four-cylinder VVT |
| Power | 83 BHP | 83 BHP |
| Torque | 115 Nm | 115 Nm |
| Gearbox | 5-speed MT and 5-speed AMT | 5-speed MT and CVT |
| ARAI Mileage | 22 km/l | 21.4 km/l |
2017 Maruti Dzire vs Maruti Baleno – Diesel Specifications Comparison
| 2017 Maruti Dzire Diesel | Maruti Baleno Diesel | |
| Engine | 1.3-litre, four-cylinder DDiS | 1.3-litre, four-cylinder DDiS |
| Power | 74 BHP | 74 BHP |
| Torque | 190 Nm | 190 Nm |
| Gearbox | 5-speed MT and 5-speed AMT | 5-speed MT |
| ARAI Mileage | 28.4 km/l | 27.39 km/l |
Maruti Dzire 2017 vs Baleno – Mileage Comparison
| New 2017 Maruti Dzire | Maruti Baleno | |
| Diesel | 28.4 km/l | 27.39 km/l |
| Petrol | 22 km/l | 21.4 km/l |
New Maruti Dzire 2017 vs Maruti Baleno – Price Comparison
It is clear that the 2017 Dzire and the Baleno are priced fairly close to each other, especially for the base variants. The price differences expand as we go up the variant line-up. It is also worth noting that both cars come with 4 trim levels. The Dzire features the regular Maruti lineage, while the Baleno gets the NEXA variant names. Since both cars have the same number of variants, it is easier to put them head to head.
Another point worth noting is that the Dzire gets an automatic gearbox option on even the top-end Z+ trims of both petrol and diesel models. However, the Baleno automatic is available only in the mid-level Delta and Zeta variants and only with a petrol engine option. Additionally, the 2017 Dzire automatic uses an AMT gearbox, while the Baleno uses a CVT unit, with the latter being more expensive. As a result, the price difference between the Baleno automatic and the Dzire automatic is much larger than that of the manual variants.
| Maruti Dzire 2017 | Maruti Baleno |
| LXi petrol – Rs. 5.43 lakh | Sigma petrol – Rs 5.26 lakh |
| VXi petrol – Rs. 6.27 lakh | Delta petrol – Rs. 5.98 lakh |
| VXi petrol AMT – Rs. 6.73 lakh | Delta AT petrol – Rs. 7.03 lakh |
| ZXi petrol – Rs. 7.02 lakh | Zeta petrol – Rs. 6.58 lakh |
| ZXi petrol AMT – Rs. 7.49 lakh | Zeta AT petrol – Rs. 7.63 lakh |
| ZXi+ petrol – Rs. 7.90 lakh | Alpha petrol – Rs. 7.29 lakh |
| ZXi+ petrol AMT – Rs. 8.37 lakh | |
| LDi diesel – Rs. 6.44 lakh | Sigma diesel – Rs. 6.44 lakh |
| VDi diesel – Rs. 7.28 lakh | Delta diesel – Rs. 7.10 lakh |
| VDi diesel AMT – Rs. 7.75 lakh | |
| ZDi diesel – Rs. 8.04 lakh | Zeta diesel – Rs. 7.71 lakh |
| ZDi diesel AMT – Rs. 8.51 lakh | |
| ZDi+ diesel – Rs. 8.92 lakh | Alpha diesel – Rs. 8.43 lakh |
| ZDi+ diesel AMT – Rs. 9.39 lakh |
Maruti Dzire 2017 vs Maruti Baleno – Dimensions comparison
In terms of dimensions and size, the new Dzire and Baleno are fairly similar. They have the exact same length, though the Baleno is slightly wider and a bit smaller in height. However, the biggest difference here lies in the wheelbase, as the Baleno boasts of a 70 mm longer wheelbase, as compared to the Dzire. This helps in liberating more space for the passengers. As a result, the Baleno offers more knee room for rear seat occupants, while shoulder room too has been enhanced due to the added width.
One area where the Baleno trails the Dzire is in the boot space category. With a 339-litre boot space, the Baleno not only offers the smallest boot in its segment, but also has a 39-litre space shortage, as compared to the Dzire. However, it is worth mentioning that the Baleno comes with foldable rear seats that can be flipped in the 60:40 ratio. This offers added flexibility of carrying luggage and passengers in harmony. However, the Dzire gets a fixed rear bench, thus losing points in our comparison.
| 2017 Maruti Dzire | Maruti Baleno | |
| Length | 3,995 mm | 3,995 mm |
| Width | 1,735 mm | 1,745 mm |
| Height | 1,515 mm | 1,500 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,450 mm | 2,520 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 163 mm | 170 mm |
| Boot Space | 378 litres | 339 litres |
Variant-wise comparison with features
Following is a variant-wise feature comparison of the new Maruti Dzire and the Baleno. It must be noted that we have taken into account only the major feature differences of the corresponding variants of the two cars.
2017 Maruti Suzuki Dzire LXi/LDi vs Maruti Baleno Sigma
|
2017 Maruti Dzire LXi/LDi |
Maruti Baleno Sigma |
| – | Front power windows |
| – | Central Locking |
| – | Foldable rear seat |
| – | Tachometer |
| Black ORVMs and door handles | Body coloured ORVMs and door handles |
| Instrument cluster MID with readings for average fuel consumption, average speed, distance to empty | – |
2017 Maruti Suzuki Dzire VXi/VDi vs Maruti Baleno Delta
|
2017 Maruti Dzire VXi/VDi |
Maruti Baleno Delta |
| Rear AC Vents | – |
| Manual Air Conditioning | Automatic Climate Control |
| – | Rear Parking Sensors |
| Height adjustable driver seat | – |
| Electrically Adjustable ORVMs | Electrically Adjustable and Foldable ORVMs |
| – | Rear defogger and wiper |
| 2 DIN Music System with 4 speakers | 2 DIN Music System with 4 speakers |
2017 Maruti Suzuki Dzire ZXi/ZDi vs Maruti Baleno Zeta
|
2017 Maruti Dzire ZXi/ZDi |
Maruti Baleno Zeta |
| Rear AC Vents | – |
| – | Automatic Headlamps with follow me home feature |
| Tilt Adjustable Steering | Tilt & Telescopic Adjustable Steering |
| Height adjustable driver seat | – |
| Electrically Adjustable ORVMs | Electrically Adjustable and Foldable ORVMs |
2017 Maruti Suzuki Dzire ZXi+/ZDi+ vs Maruti Baleno Alpha
|
2017 Maruti Dzire ZXi+/ZDi+ |
Maruti Baleno Alpha |
| Rear AC Vents | – |
| Tilt Adjustable Steering | Tilt & Telescopic Adjustable Steering |
| Rear armrest with cup holder | – |
| Rear defogger | Rear defogger and wiper |
| Manual LED projector Headlamps | Automatic Projector Headlamps |
| Touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, MirrorLink, 6 speakers | Touchscreen infotainment system with 4 speakers |
New Maruti Dzire vs Baleno – Exterior Design
2017 Maruti Suzuki Dzire
The 2017 Dzire is a classy looking car, there are simply no two ways about it. It has all the right ingredients to make it a nice looker. The front gets a wide grille that is surrounded by a prominent chrome border. Top-end trims get LED projector headlamps with DRLs housed inside smoked assemblies. These add a pinch of aggressiveness to the compact sedan’s character.
This side profile reveals a proportionate integration of the boot. As a departure to its predecessors, the third-gen Dzire doesn’t get a bloated rear end. This is thanks to a more smooth roof line, a curving A-pillar, and a better integration of the boot. Also, the diamond-cut alloy wheels are the sassiest units seen on a Maruti Suzuki car presently on sale.
The rear end remains more or less similar in arrangement to the previous model, though every panel and part on the car has been changed to make it more contemporary and with the times.
Maruti Suzuki Baleno
The Baleno is undoubtedly a classy looking car. The front end might polarise opinions, thanks to the y-shaped grille that leaves quite a bit of gap on either side. However, the design has gradually started to grow on us and the front end now appears to be balanced and contemporary. The top-end models get projector headlamps and DRLs, which further enhance the car’s appeal.
Moving to the side, the Baleno gets a very elegant silhouette. A gradually sloping roofline ends with a prominent spoiler, while the rear windscreen has been raked slightly steeply to give it a notchback like stance. There aren’t many character lines running on the doors, but the slightly flared wheel arches and a subtle curve just below the window line helps in reducing the visual bulk of the sides. However, one thing that doesn’t really match the overall package are the alloys. The alloy design should have been more dynamic, something similar to a two-tone finish seen on the new Dzire.
Comparison Verdict – Dzire or Baleno?
In the engine department, the Dzire and Baleno share similar powertrains. However, if you are looking for a diesel automatic, the new Dzire is your only option.
Then, there are the petrol automatics. Sadly, there is no fully loaded automatic variant on the Baleno. So if you indeed go for the Baleno petrol automatic variant, you will be forced to miss features like projector headlamps, DRLs and the touchscreen infotainment system. On the other hand, the Dzire is available with an automatic in the top-end variant as well. Which brings more options to prospective owners. However, the automatic in the Dzire is a more cheaper and slightly rougher AMT unit, as compared to the CVT on the Baleno that is a lot smoother. It is thus your decision, in the end, to decide what do you prefer more, features on gearbox smoothness.
However, when we look at the complete picture, the Baleno offers a much better value for money package, has better feature distribution across the variants, and the premium hatchback layout is a lot more widely appealing than the compact sedan structure of the Dzire. As a result, of the two contenders, our pick is the Maruti Suzuki Baleno.