Maruti Suzuki is giving the Baleno a major technology upgrade with its upcoming facelift. The premium hatchback will get several new features, but two additions stand out. The new Baleno is expected to get Level 1 ADAS and Wireless Phone Charging, features that could give it a significant edge in the premium hatchback segment.
The facelifted Baleno is expected to make its debut in India on September 5, 2026. While the overall shape of the hatchback will remain familiar, Maruti is making changes to the exterior, cabin, safety equipment and powertrain.
The biggest addition will be ADAS. The new Baleno is expected to get a new top-spec Alpha (O) variant with a limited Level 1 ADAS package.
However, this isn’t the full ADAS package seen on more expensive cars. The expected system will focus primarily on rear-side safety. It is likely to include blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert and safe-exit warning. Front parking sensors could also be offered.
This means the system will warn the driver about vehicles approaching from the rear or side and can alert occupants before they open a door into the path of another vehicle. It is not expected to include adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking or other front-radar functions.
Even in this limited form, ADAS will be a major talking point. The Baleno could become one of the most affordable cars in India to offer these features.
The second major addition is wireless phone charging. The current Baleno does not offer this feature, and the facelift is expected to add it along with a larger infotainment system.
The new touchscreen is expected to measure 10.1 inches, up from the current 9-inch unit. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are also expected. An improved audio system and ventilated front seats are likely to be part of the upgrade package.
The Baleno will continue to offer its existing premium features such as a head-up display and 360-degree camera.
The facelift will get subtle styling changes rather than an entirely new design. The front end is expected to feature a redesigned grille, tweaked headlamps and a revised bumper. There could also be a new chrome or LED element connecting the headlamps.
New alloy wheels will add to the visual changes, while the rear bumper is expected to be revised. The overall silhouette of the Baleno will remain largely unchanged.
Under the bonnet, the Baleno facelift is expected to get Maruti’s 1.2-litre Z12E three-cylinder petrol engine, replacing the current four-cylinder unit. The engine makes around 81 bhp and 112 Nm in its petrol application.
It will be available with a 5-speed manual and AMT gearbox. The big news, however, is the arrival of CNG-AMT.
The facelifted Baleno is expected to become Maruti Suzuki’s first factory-fitted CNG car to offer an automatic gearbox. The CNG powertrain will be available with both manual and AMT transmissions, although these combinations are expected to be restricted to the Delta and Zeta variants.
In total, the new Baleno is expected to offer four engine-gearbox combinations: petrol-manual, petrol-AMT, CNG-manual and CNG-AMT. With ADAS, wireless charging, ventilated seats, a larger touchscreen, fresh styling and a new CNG-AMT powertrain, the Baleno facelift is shaping up to be much more than a cosmetic update. For Maruti, this could be an important move to keep the Baleno competitive against increasingly feature-rich rivals such as the Hyundai i20 and Tata Altroz.