2020 Maruti Suzuki Baleno vs Volkswagen Polo - Price, Specs, Features, Mileage Comparison

Baleno 2020 vs Polo 2020 | Price Comparison - Which One Is Cheaper?

Maruti Suzuki Baleno prices start from Rs. 5.64 lakh and go up to Rs. 7.90 lakh for petrol manual powertrain. The Volkswagen Polo petrol manual prices start from Rs. 5.83 lakh and go up to Rs. 8.02 lakh.

For the petrol automatic powertrain, Maruti Suzuki Baleno prices start from Rs. 7.77 lakh and Volkswagen Polo starts from Rs. 9.13 lakh. The Baleno has a lower price, for the manual as well as the automatic transmission variants.

Baleno 2020 vs Polo 2020 | Dimension Comparison - Which One Is Bigger?

The Maruti Suzuki Baleno is 3995mm long, 1745mm wide and 1510mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2520mm. The Maruti Suzuki Baleno has a boot space of 339 litres. The Volkswagen Polo measures 3971mm in length, 1682mm in width and 1469mm in height. The wheelbase of the Volkswagen Polo is 2469mm and it has a boot space of 280 litres.

Also Read - Which Variant of 2020 Maruti Suzuki Baleno Petrol Is Most Value For Money?

Dimension Review

• The Baleno is longer than the Polo by 24mm.
• The Baleno is wider than the Polo by 63mm.
• The Baleno is taller than the Polo by 41mm.
• The Baleno has a longer wheelbase than the Polo; by 51mm.
• The Baleno has 59 litres more boot space than the Polo.
• The Baleno has 5mm more ground clearance than the Polo.

In terms of dimensions, the Baleno is a larger car compared to the Polo. So, it will have a better road presence than the Polo. Not just that, the Baleno will also have much better cabin space. The Polo can’t accommodate two 6-footers behind another. So, if you expect to ferry tall occupants in your car, then the Polo is not suitable for you.

Baleno 2020 vs Polo 2020 | Engine Specs Comparison - Which One has Better Performance?

Baleno Petrol vs Polo Petrol

Maruti Suzuki Baleno gets a 1.2L petrol 4-cylinder engine that makes 83PS of maximum power and 113Nm of peak torque. It is available with a 5-speed manual and a CVT type automatic transmission. The Maruti Suzuki Baleno petrol manual has a fuel-efficiency of 21.01kmpl while the automatic claims to return a figure of 19.56kmpl.

It also gets a 1.2L 4-cylinder hybrid petrol engine as well, that makes 90PS of maximum power and 113Nm of peak torque. This engine is available with a 5-speed manual transmission and has a fuel efficiency of 23.87kmpl.

Also Read - Skoda Rapid 1.0L Turbo vs Maruti Suzuki Baleno 1.2L Petrol - Price, Specs, Top Features Comparison

Volkswagen Polo gets a 1.0L turbo petrol 3-cylinder engine that makes 110PS of maximum power and 175Nm of peak torque. It is available with a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torque converter type automatic transmission. The Volkswagen Polo petrol manual has a fuel-efficiency of 18.24kmpl while the automatic claims to return a figure of 18.24kmpl.

It also gets a 1.0L 3-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine as well, that makes 76PS of maximum power and 95Nm of peak torque. This engine is available with a 5-speed manual transmission and has a fuel efficiency of 17.75kmpl.

Petrol Manual Engine Review

• The Polo has a more powerful engine than the Baleno.
• The Polo's engine produces more torque than the Baleno's.
• The Baleno petrol manual is more fuel-efficient than the Polo manual.

For mileage enthusiasts, it’s not even a contest. The Baleno is a clear winner. For performance-hungry, again, the choice is simple - Polo turbo.

It’s worth noting though, that the Baleno hybrid’s power-to-weight ratio is very close to the Polo’s. So, when you’re in the mood for it, the Baleno can also keep up with the Polo turbo. In-gear acceleration, though, will be better with the Polo turbo as it has a strong bottom and mid-range torque spread.

It’s the Polo’s non-turbo engine that disappoints us big time. Its torque-to-weight ratio is only a little bit better than the Alto 800.

Baleno 2020 vs Polo 2020 | Feature Comparison - Which Is Better?

Notable top features of Baleno 2020 are:

• LED projector headlamp w/ LED DRL
• Coloured TFT multi-information display
• R16 alloy wheels
• 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system w/ Apple Carplay & Android Auto
• Auto AC
• Height adjustable driver seat
• Tilt & telescopic steering
• Push-button start w/ smart key
• Auto headlamps
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Front armrest
• UV cut window glass

Notable top features of Polo 2020 are:

• Dual-beam headlamps w/ cornering lights
• Auto-dimming IRVM
• R16 alloy wheels
• 7-inch touchscreen w/ Android Auto & Apple CarPlay
• Cruise control
• Rear AC vents
• Leather-wrapped steering & gear-shift knob
• Auto AC
• Front armrest
• Auto rain-sensing wipers
• Electrically foldable ORVMs
• Steering mounted controls

Is the Maruti Suzuki Baleno better than the Volkswagen Polo?

Price of the base variant of Maruti Suzuki Baleno is Rs. 5.64 lakh and Volkswagen Polo is Rs. 5.83 lakh (both ex-showroom). The Baleno is cheaper than the Polo - for both, base and top variant pricing.

In terms of dimensions, the Baleno is much larger than the Polo. So it will have a better road presence than the Polo. Also, the Polo’s back seat has limited space. If you want a spacious cabin, you should definitely go with the Baleno.

Also Read - Maruti Suzuki Baleno 2020 Petrol vs Competition - Price, Specs, Features Comparison

For petrol powertrain, Polo's turbo petrol engine offers a lot more torque in the low and mid RPMs. So, it will offer better driveability than both of the Baleno's engines. If you're looking for a car with lower fuel costs then Baleno will be better since its engines are way more fuel-efficient.

We strongly suggest you avoid the Polo with the non-turbo engine as you end up compromising not only in cabin space, but also in performance.