The 2026 Maruti Baleno starts at Rs 5.99 lakh ex-showroom with a new 3-cylinder engine offering up to 24.77 km/l (ARAI, AMT), replacing the older 4-cylinder unit with modest power cuts but meaningful efficiency gains.
2026 Maruti Baleno Price List: How Much More for the New 3-Cylinder Engine in India?
The 2026 Maruti Baleno facelift starts at Rs 5.99 lakh and tops out at Rs 9.99 lakh (ex-showroom, all India), spanning 11 variants across five trim levels. The headline change is a new 3-cylinder Z12E petrol engine that trades 7 hp for meaningfully better fuel efficiency. Launched on September 5, 2026, and sold exclusively through Maruti Suzuki's Nexa dealership network, this marks the first significant update to the second-generation Baleno since its 2022 debut.
Here's how the 2026 Baleno stacks up against its direct rivals in the premium hatchback segment:
| Model | Price Range (Ex-showroom) | Engine | Power | ARAI Mileage (MT) | Key Differentiator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maruti Baleno 2026 | Rs 5.99 – 9.99 lakh | 1.2L 3-cyl NA petrol / CNG | 83 hp (petrol), 70 hp (CNG) | 23.80 km/l (petrol), 33.61 km/kg (CNG) | Level 2 ADAS (segment-only), ventilated front seats; lower peak power than rivals |
| Hyundai i20 | Rs 6.00 – 11.59 lakh | 1.2L 4-cyl NA petrol / 1.0L turbo petrol | 83 hp / 120 hp | 20.35 km/l (1.2L MT) | Turbo petrol option, stronger brand resale; pricier at top end |
| Tata Altroz | Rs 6.00 – 10.75 lakh | 1.2L 3-cyl NA petrol / 1.2L turbo petrol / CNG | 86 hp (NA) / 118 hp (turbo) | 19.46 km/l (NA MT) | 5-star GNCAP safety; no AMT option on petrol |
| Toyota Glanza | Rs 6.73 – 9.99 lakh | 1.2L 3-cyl NA petrol / CNG | 83 hp | 23.01 km/l (MT) | Badge-engineered Baleno twin; identical mechanicals, Toyota service network |
Sources: Autocar India – 2026 Baleno full price list; Autocar India – on-road prices
The Baleno's efficiency lead over the i20 and Altroz is substantial, though it concedes peak power to both the turbo-petrol Altroz and the i20's 1.0 T-GDi. The Toyota Glanza, being a rebadged Baleno, is mechanically identical — the choice between them hinges on dealership and service network preference.
What is the full 2026 Maruti Baleno variant-wise price list?
The 2026 Maruti Baleno is a premium hatchback sold through Maruti Suzuki's Nexa channel, positioned above the Swift. It comes in three powertrain configurations — petrol MT, petrol AMT, and CNG MT — across five trim levels.
Ex-showroom prices (all India):
| Variant | Petrol MT | Petrol AMT | CNG MT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sigma | Rs 5.99 lakh | — | — |
| Delta | Rs 7.00 lakh | Rs 7.50 lakh | Rs 7.92 lakh |
| Zeta | Rs 8.00 lakh | Rs 8.50 lakh | Rs 8.92 lakh |
| Alpha | Rs 9.10 lakh | Rs 9.60 lakh | — |
| Alpha (O) | Rs 9.50 lakh | Rs 9.99 lakh | — |
Source: Autocar India – 2026 Baleno full price list
The AMT premium is a flat Rs 50,000 across all variants offering the automatic option. For a gearbox that meaningfully improves city driving comfort, this is reasonable, and the AMT also returns slightly better ARAI mileage (24.77 km/l versus 23.80 km/l for the MT — manufacturer claim).
The CNG premium over the equivalent petrol MT is Rs 92,000. Since CNG fuel costs roughly one-third of petrol per kilometre in most Indian cities, this premium can be recovered within 40,000–50,000 km of typical urban usage — making the CNG Delta or Zeta a compelling ownership-cost proposition for high-mileage buyers.
The Alpha (O) is new to the Baleno lineup for MY26. It sits above the Alpha and is the only trim to offer Level 2 ADAS. At Rs 9.50 lakh (MT) or Rs 9.99 lakh (AMT), it commands the top price but brings genuinely segment-exclusive technology.
How do on-road prices vary across Indian cities?
On-road prices differ city to city because of varying RTO registration charges, state taxes, insurance costs, and FASTag fees. Delhi consistently offers the lowest on-road prices for petrol variants of the 2026 Baleno, while Chennai and Hyderabad are the most expensive cities for petrol MT and petrol AMT variants respectively. For CNG versions, Mumbai is the most affordable market.
2026 Maruti Baleno on-road prices across major cities (Rs lakh):
| Variant | Delhi | Mumbai | Hyderabad | Kolkata | Chennai |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sigma MT | 6.50 | 6.92 | 7.10 | 6.86 | 7.04 |
| Delta MT | 7.81 | 8.09 | 8.30 | 8.02 | 8.23 |
| Delta AMT | 8.37 | 8.67 | 8.89 | 8.59 | 8.82 |
| Delta CNG MT | 9.10 | 8.84 | 9.10 | 9.08 | 9.10 |
| Zeta MT | 8.92 | 9.23 | 9.47 | 9.15 | 9.39 |
| Zeta AMT | 9.48 | 9.81 | 10.06 | 9.73 | 9.98 |
| Zeta CNG MT | 10.23 | 9.95 | 10.23 | 10.22 | 10.23 |
| Alpha MT | 10.15 | 10.52 | 10.79 | 10.42 | 10.70 |
| Alpha AMT | 10.71 | 10.93 | 11.38 | 11.00 | 11.11 |
| Alpha (O) MT | 10.57 | 11.09 | 11.20 | 10.84 | 11.28 |
| Alpha (O) AMT | 11.14 | 11.54 | 11.84 | 11.44 | 11.74 |
Source: Autocar India – on-road prices for top cities
The spread between Delhi and Chennai for petrol MT variants reaches Rs 71,000. For petrol AMT variants, Hyderabad buyers pay up to Rs 70,000 more than Delhi buyers for the same car. These differences are not trivial — they represent almost a full year's insurance on a base variant. Always verify the exact figure with your nearest Nexa dealership before budgeting.
What is the new 3-cylinder engine and how does it compare to the old 4-cylinder?
The engine change is the most consequential update in the 2026 Baleno facelift. The new Z12E is a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated 3-cylinder petrol unit from Maruti's Z-Series engine family — the same engine powering the current Swift and Dzire. It replaces the K12N, a 1.2-litre 4-cylinder that had served across multiple Maruti models for years.
Here's a direct comparison:
| Specification | 2026 Baleno (Z12E) | Old Baleno (K12N) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1,197 cc | 1,197 cc | Same |
| Cylinders | 3 | 4 | −1 cylinder |
| Power (petrol) | 83 hp | 90 hp | −7 hp |
| Torque (petrol) | 112 Nm | 113 Nm | −1 Nm |
| Power (CNG) | 70 hp | 78 hp | −8 hp |
| Torque (CNG) | 102 Nm | 99 Nm | +3 Nm |
| ARAI mileage – petrol MT | 23.80 km/l | 22.35 km/l | +1.45 km/l |
| ARAI mileage – petrol AMT | 24.77 km/l | 22.94 km/l | +1.83 km/l |
| ARAI mileage – CNG MT | 33.61 km/kg | 30.61 km/kg | +3.00 km/kg |
| Gearbox options | 5MT / 5AMT (petrol); 5MT (CNG) | 5MT / 5AMT (petrol); 5MT (CNG) | Same |
Source: Autocar India – 2026 vs old Baleno comparison
The power reduction is real and shouldn't be overlooked. The old Baleno's 90 hp felt noticeably peppier on highways and during overtaking. At 83 hp, the new car is not slow — the Swift uses the same engine effectively — but buyers who regularly drive long highway stretches or hilly terrain will notice the difference. The Z12E is tuned for efficiency and urban driveability rather than outright performance.
The efficiency gains are manufacturer-claimed ARAI figures. Real-world mileage from the Swift and Dzire with the same Z12E typically lands 15–20% below ARAI numbers in mixed driving — expect around 19–20 km/l in real-world city and highway combined use for the petrol MT. That's still better than the old Baleno's real-world returns, but temper expectations accordingly.
The CNG torque bump (+3 Nm over the old engine) is a genuine positive. CNG variants have historically felt sluggish in traffic; the slight torque improvement, combined with the lighter 3-cylinder architecture, should make the CNG Baleno more responsive in stop-start urban conditions.
How much more expensive is the 2026 Baleno than the outgoing model?
Maruti initially announced a launch price of Rs 6.10 lakh for the base Sigma variant, but the official Nexa website subsequently listed it at Rs 5.99 lakh — matching the outgoing model's entry price exactly. At the top of the range, the new Alpha (O) AMT at Rs 9.99 lakh is a new addition with no direct predecessor, so a like-for-like comparison requires looking at the Alpha trim.
The old Baleno Alpha MT was priced at approximately Rs 8.99 lakh (ex-showroom), while the new Alpha MT is Rs 9.10 lakh — a premium of roughly Rs 11,000 for the new engine, updated features, and safety improvements. The Alpha AMT at Rs 9.60 lakh similarly represents a modest step up from the outgoing equivalent.
For the Delta and Zeta trims, which represent the volume-selling sweet spot, the price increase over the outgoing model ranges from Rs 10,000–20,000 depending on the variant. Given that the update includes a new engine, six standard airbags across all variants, TPMS, and additional features like ventilated front seats (on higher trims), the incremental cost is defensible.
The CNG variants start at Rs 7.92 lakh for the Delta CNG MT — a premium of Rs 92,000 over the Delta petrol MT. This is consistent with the CNG premium across Maruti's lineup and reflects the cost of the factory-fitted CNG kit.
What new features and safety equipment does the 2026 Baleno add?
The 2026 Baleno facelift is a mid-cycle update, meaning the structural architecture and core interior layout carry over from the 2022 model. The feature additions, however, are meaningful.
New features on the 2026 Baleno:
- Wireless phone charger with active cooling — a thoughtful addition given how warm wireless chargers can get in Indian summers
- Ventilated front seats — described as a segment-only feature in the premium hatchback class
- Clarion sound system replacing the previous audio setup
- Level 2 ADAS suite, available exclusively on the Alpha (O) trim — another segment-first for a mainstream hatchback in India
- Semi-leatherette upholstery replacing the fabric seats of the pre-facelift model
Safety upgrades:
- Six airbags now standard across all variants, including the base Sigma (previously, lower trims had fewer airbags)
- Dedicated head restraint and three-point seatbelt for the central rear passenger
- Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) added across the range
- 360-degree camera on higher trims
The Level 2 ADAS suite on the Alpha (O) deserves attention. It includes automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control — technology that until recently was confined to SUVs priced above Rs 15 lakh. Its inclusion in a hatchback at Rs 9.50–9.99 lakh represents a genuine market shift, even if limited to the top trim.
What carries over: The overall silhouette, alloy wheel design, chrome door handles, window beltline, rear styling, dashboard layout, twin-dial analogue instrument cluster with TFT MID, 9-inch SmartPlay Pro+ infotainment screen, automatic climate control, cruise control, auto-dimming IRVM, head-up display, and 318-litre boot space all remain unchanged. The wheelbase stays at 2,520 mm and overall dimensions are 3,990 mm length and 1,745 mm width.
Source: Autocar India – 2026 vs old Baleno; Mint – Baleno facelift 2026 full details
How does the 2026 Baleno compare to the Hyundai i20 and Tata Altroz?
The premium hatchback segment is genuinely competitive, and the Baleno's rivals have evolved. Here's an honest assessment:
Against the Hyundai i20 (Rs 6.00–11.59 lakh ex-showroom):
The i20 offers a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 120 hp — something the Baleno cannot match. For buyers wanting hatchback practicality with SUV-like performance, the i20 turbo is the better choice. The i20 also boasts a strong resale value track record and a wide service network. Where the Baleno wins: ARAI mileage (23.80 km/l versus ~20.35 km/l for the i20 1.2L MT), Level 2 ADAS (unavailable on the i20 at any price), and ventilated front seats. The i20 N Line (Rs 9.27–11.59 lakh) targets enthusiasts and isn't a direct Baleno competitor.
Against the Tata Altroz (Rs 6.00–10.75 lakh ex-showroom):
The Altroz holds a 5-star Global NCAP safety rating — a credential the Baleno cannot currently claim. It also offers a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol producing 118 hp, which the Baleno has no answer to. However, the Altroz lacks an AMT on its petrol variants, a significant gap for urban buyers wanting an automatic. The Baleno's ARAI mileage advantage is substantial: 23.80 km/l versus ~19.46 km/l for the Altroz NA petrol MT. The Baleno now offers Level 2 ADAS, which the Altroz does not.
Against the Toyota Glanza (Rs 6.73–9.99 lakh ex-showroom):
The Glanza is mechanically identical to the 2026 Baleno — same Z12E engine, same platform, same dimensions. The choice comes down to dealership preference, Toyota's service reputation, and the fact that the Glanza's price range starts slightly higher (Rs 6.73 lakh versus Rs 5.99 lakh for the Baleno). If a Toyota dealership is closer to home or you prefer Toyota's service network, the Glanza is the same car with a different badge.
The Baleno's honest weaknesses: Lower peak power (83 hp) than most rivals, no turbo-petrol option, no diesel variant (the segment has largely moved away from diesel, but it's worth noting), and the 3-cylinder engine's characteristic vibration at idle — something the old 4-cylinder handled more smoothly. Level 2 ADAS is also limited to the top-spec Alpha (O) trim, so buyers of the Delta or Zeta — which represent the bulk of sales — don't get this feature.
Which 2026 Baleno variant offers the best value?
Value depends on the buyer's priorities. Here's a practical breakdown:
For pure value (lowest cost of ownership): The Delta CNG MT at Rs 7.92 lakh ex-showroom makes the strongest case. The CNG fuel cost advantage is significant in high-mileage urban use, and the Delta trim includes most practical features — the 9-inch infotainment screen, automatic climate control, and the new six-airbag standard safety suite. The on-road price in Delhi works out to Rs 9.10 lakh, which is competitive.
For the automatic buyer: The Zeta AMT at Rs 8.50 lakh ex-showroom hits the sweet spot. It adds features like the head-up display and 360-degree camera over the Delta, while the AMT's 24.77 km/l ARAI claim (manufacturer figure) makes it the most fuel-efficient petrol variant. On-road in Delhi, this comes to Rs 9.48 lakh.
For the feature-maximalist: The Alpha (O) AMT at Rs 9.99 lakh ex-showroom is the only way to get Level 2 ADAS and ventilated front seats together. At this price, it competes with the top-spec Hyundai i20 and Tata Altroz, and the ADAS suite provides genuine differentiation.
For the budget-first buyer: The Sigma MT at Rs 5.99 lakh is the entry point, but it's stripped down with no AMT option and limited features. Most buyers would be better served stretching to the Delta MT at Rs 7.00 lakh, which adds significantly more equipment for a Rs 1.01 lakh premium.
What colours are available on the 2026 Maruti Baleno?
The 2026 Baleno comes in seven colour options, with one new shade introduced for the facelift:
- Enigmatic Teal (new for MY26)
- Nexa Blue
- Grandeur Grey
- Arctic White
- Splendid Silver
- Opulent Red
- Bluish Black
The Enigmatic Teal is a distinctive addition that gives the Baleno a more premium, contemporary look — a useful differentiator in a segment where most competitors offer conventional colour palettes. Not all colours are available across all variants; check with your Nexa dealership for variant-specific colour availability.
Source: CarDekho – 2026 Baleno facelift launch
What is the booking amount and delivery process for the 2026 Baleno?
Bookings for the 2026 Maruti Baleno are open at Nexa dealerships across India for a token amount of Rs 11,000. Deliveries commenced shortly after the September 5, 2026 launch date. Given that the Baleno consistently ranks among the top 10 bestselling cars in India each month, waiting periods at popular Nexa outlets in metro cities may extend to 4–8 weeks for certain colours and variants, particularly the Alpha (O) AMT. Buyers in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities should confirm stock availability directly with their nearest Nexa showroom.
Is the 2026 Maruti Baleno worth buying over the outgoing model?
For buyers who already own the pre-facelift Baleno (2022–2025), the update isn't compelling enough to justify an upgrade — the cabin layout is nearly identical, and the power reduction would feel like a step backward. For new buyers entering the premium hatchback segment, the 2026 Baleno presents a strong case.
The efficiency improvement is real and meaningful over a 5-year ownership cycle. At 23.80 km/l (ARAI, MT), the Baleno ranks among the most fuel-efficient petrol hatchbacks in India. The standard six-airbag safety suite addresses a long-standing criticism of the pre-facelift model. The Level 2 ADAS on the Alpha (O), while limited to the top trim, represents technology no other mainstream hatchback in India currently offers at this price point.
The honest caveat: the 7 hp power reduction matters more than Maruti's marketing suggests. If your daily commute involves frequent highway stretches or you regularly carry four adults, the old Baleno's 90 hp felt more effortless. The Z12E is a refined, efficient engine — but it's not a more engaging one.
At Rs 5.99 lakh to Rs 9.99 lakh ex-showroom, the 2026 Baleno remains one of the most competitively priced premium hatchbacks in India, with a feature list that now genuinely challenges the Hyundai i20 and Tata Altroz at equivalent price points. The 3-cylinder engine swap is a trade-off, not an upgrade — but for the majority of urban buyers, it's a trade-off that makes financial sense.
All prices are ex-showroom, India, unless stated otherwise. Mileage figures are ARAI manufacturer claims and may differ from real-world results.
Sources
- 2026 Maruti Baleno On-road price listed for top cities | Autocar India
- 2026 Maruti Baleno full price list revealed | Autocar India
- How different is the 2026 Maruti Baleno from its predecessor? | Autocar India
- Maruti Suzuki Baleno facelift 2026: From price, features, mileage to colour options — All you need to know | Mint
- 2026 Maruti Baleno Facelift Launched At Rs 5.99 Lakh | CarDekho
- Maruti Suzuki Baleno – Official Nexa Page