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Suzuki Baleno vs Suzuki Swift

What's the difference?

VS
Suzuki Baleno
Suzuki Baleno

$15,980 - $21,990

2020 price

Suzuki Swift
Suzuki Swift

$19,990 - $38,840

2023 price

Summary

2020 Suzuki Baleno
2023 Suzuki Swift
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Inline 4, 1.4L

Inline 4, 1.2L
Fuel Type
Unleaded Petrol

Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency
5.1L/100km (combined)

4.6L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

5
Dislikes
  • Expensive servicing
  • Cheap interior
  • Dull

  • Modest performance
  • Firm ride
  • Small boot
2020 Suzuki Baleno Summary

The fact of the Suzuki Baleno's existence is one of the more puzzling features on the automotive landscape. It's a car that pits itself against all manner of worthy competition - some of it exceedingly so - in the small hatch segment.

People still buy what the industry calls light cars (in ever-diminishing numbers) so perhaps Suzuki thought offering two would be a good idea, as its Swift occupies the same patch of sales ground in this city-sized segment.

In this part of the market, you've really, really got to want it. You need to be stylish, sophisticated and packed with tons of safety gear if you've any hope of so much as laying a fingernail on the Mazda2. Or, let's face it, be dirt cheap to counter Yaris and (the soon to depart) Accent.

It's all the more puzzling because Suzuki does interesting cars like the Jimny, Swift, Vitara and Ignis. And the oddball S-Cross (RIP).

The Baleno seems far too tame, timid and, well, blergh. But according to VFacts, Suzuki shifts at least a hundred of these per month, sometimes over 200.

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2023 Suzuki Swift Summary

Your preference is for a conventional car because SUVs don't do it for you. It needs to be small because the urban jungle is your natural habitat. The budget is set at 'around' $25K. And an economical combustion engine is the best bet, because charging an EV at home or elsewhere isn't on the cards at this point.

The good news is there are numerous choices out there from Japan, South Korea, and Europe. And one that hits the brief bang-on is a long-standing Aussie favourite from small car specialist, Suzuki.

The Swift hatch slips naturally into the urban landscape, and we spent a week with a mid-spec version to see how it measures up in terms of value, economy, cost of ownership, utility and driving performance.

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Deep dive comparison

2020 Suzuki Baleno 2023 Suzuki Swift

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