India’s most popular premium hatchback, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, has now scored a 4-star safety rating under the Bharat NCAP program. This is a huge step forward for Maruti Suzuki, a brand often criticized in the past for poor crash test results. The new rating not only boosts the Baleno’s market image but also signals a stronger push by the company towards making safer cars.
In this blog, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the 2025 Baleno’s performance in Bharat NCAP, what makes it safer now, and how it compares to rivals in the same segment.
🛡️ What is Bharat NCAP?
The Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP) is India’s official crash-testing body, launched in 2023. It evaluates cars based on:
- Adult Occupant Protection
- Child Occupant Protection
- Vehicle Safety Assist Technologies
- Crash Structure & Integrity
Scoring a 4-star rating means the Baleno performed well in crash tests and offers significant protection to both driver and passengers in real-world scenarios.
⭐ Baleno’s Performance in Bharat NCAP
According to the Bharat NCAP test report, the 2025 Maruti Baleno performed as follows:
- Adult Occupant Protection: 28.9 / 32
- Child Occupant Protection: 41.5 / 49
- Structural Integrity: Rated as Stable
- Footwell Area: Stable
- Safety Assist Tech Score: Good
This performance reflects a massive improvement over the earlier Global NCAP scores given to the older version of the Baleno.
🔐 What Makes the New Baleno Safer?
To earn the 4-star rating, Maruti Suzuki had to introduce significant upgrades in terms of safety equipment and structural design.
✅ Safety Features Offered:
- 6 Airbags (dual front, side & curtain)
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- ABS with EBD
- Rear parking sensors & camera
- ISOFIX child seat anchors
- Seatbelt reminder for all passengers
- 3-point seatbelts for all seats
- High-speed alert system
These features are available as standard or from mid-variants upward, ensuring broad safety coverage.
🔧 Platform & Structural Enhancements
The new Baleno is built on the HEARTECT platform, which has been re-engineered to handle better crash energy absorption.
Structural Improvements:
- Use of high-tensile steel
- Reinforced crumple zones
- Stronger side impact protection beams
- Improved roof strength and door integrity
The structure was rated stable during frontal offset and side impact tests, a major improvement from the older design.
👀 Interior & Feature Updates
Safety isn’t the only area where the 2025 Baleno excels. It also gets several updates in terms of features and cabin quality.
🎛️ Notable Features:
- 9-inch SmartPlay Pro+ touchscreen
- Wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay
- Arkamys-tuned sound system
- 360-degree camera
- Heads-Up Display (HUD)
- Cruise Control
- Auto climate control
The interiors now feel more premium, tech-savvy, and practical, offering value for both city drivers and highway users.
⚙️ Engine Options & Mileage
While safety and features are key highlights, Maruti has retained the Baleno’s reputation for fuel efficiency and smooth performance.
🚘 Engine Details:
- 1.2L DualJet VVT Petrol Engine
- Power: 90 PS | Torque: 113 Nm
- Gearbox Options: 5-speed Manual / 5-speed AMT
- Fuel Type: Petrol (CNG variant also available)
⛽ Mileage:
- Petrol MT – ~22.35 km/l
- Petrol AMT – ~22.94 km/l
- CNG Variant – ~30.61 km/kg
The engine is smooth, responsive, and now comes with Idle Start-Stop technology for better fuel savings.
💰 Price Range and Variants
Despite significant upgrades, the 2025 Baleno remains competitively priced.
| Variant | Price (Ex-Showroom) |
|---|---|
| Sigma | ₹6.70 lakh |
| Delta | ₹7.50 lakh |
| Zeta | ₹8.25 lakh |
| Alpha | ₹9.35 lakh |
| CNG | From ₹8.30 lakh |
Given the new safety rating, it’s now one of the most well-rounded hatchbacks under ₹10 lakh in India.
🔄 Rivals Comparison: How Does It Stack Up?
Let’s compare the new Baleno with other popular hatchbacks:
| Feature / Model | Maruti Baleno | Tata Altroz | Hyundai i20 | Toyota Glanza |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bharat NCAP Rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Not Rated | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Similar) |
| Airbags | 6 | 6 | 2–6 | 6 |
| ESP & Hill Assist | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CNG Option | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Mileage (Petrol) | 22+ km/l | 19–20 km/l | 20–21 km/l | 22+ km/l |
The Baleno now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with segment leaders like Tata Altroz and is more appealing than the feature-rich Hyundai i20 for safety-focused buyers.
🧭 Who Should Buy the New Baleno?
The 2025 Maruti Baleno is an ideal choice for:
- First-time buyers looking for safety + mileage
- Families wanting peace of mind with strong build quality
- Urban users needing a feature-rich, reliable hatchback
- Buyers who want premium comfort under ₹10 lakh
- People considering CNG with safety and style
📌 Final Thoughts
The 4-star Bharat NCAP rating for the Maruti Baleno 2025 marks a turning point in Maruti’s approach to vehicle safety. With this achievement, Maruti has successfully silenced critics and provided Indian buyers a safe, stylish, and efficient hatchback that ticks almost every box.
Whether you’re buying your first car or upgrading from an older model, the Baleno now offers the perfect balance of safety, performance, and features.
Hello, my name is Muskan Kumari and I am an experienced Digital Marketer. I have been blogging for the last 3 years and I have special interest in SEO. Here I give you easy bikes and writes easy-to-understand reviews and news about the latest bikes, helping readers choose the best options.. My aim is to always provide you with accurate, new and useful information.
