Maruti Baleno Zeta Petrol MT vs Hyundai Venue S 1-2 Petrol MT - Which Car Is Right For You?

Maruti Baleno Zeta Petrol vs Hyundai Venue S 1.2 Petrol - Price Comparison

On the pricing front, the Hyundai Venue S 1.2 petrol is Rs. 7.2 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) while the Maruti Suzuki Baleno Zeta 1.2 is Rs. 6.98 lakh. You are paying Rs. 22,000 more for the Venue. If you can get some additional discounts on the Baleno, then the gap increases further. So, on the pricing front alone, the Baleno Zeta petrol has an upper hand.

Winner: Maruti Baleno Zeta 1.2 Petrol

Maruti Baleno Zeta Petrol vs Hyundai Venue S 1.2 Petrol - Dimensions Comparison

In the dimensions, spec, the Hyundai Venue’s SUV body style helps. The Venue also has a larger fuel tank, higher ground clearance, wider body and a marginally bigger boot. The tyres, although of similar width and rim size, are overall slightly larger on the Venue because of the taller sidewall. The only area where the Maruti Suziki Baleno beats the Hyundai Venue is in the wheelbase, which is 20mm longer than the Venue’s. Without a doubt, the comparison of the dimensions was supposed to end up in the Venue’s favour.

Winner: Hyundai Venue S 1.2 Petrol

Maruti Suzuki Baleno Zeta Petrol vs Hyundai Venue S 1.2 Petrol -  Engine Specs Comparison

In the engine specs, the Hyundai’s 1.2-litre petrol engine is a hair more powerful than the Baleno’s. But the Maruti Suzuki Baleno hits the Venue where it hurts - in the fuel efficiency department. The Maruti Suzuki Baleno has a massive 20% better fuel efficiency advantage in its favour. And that is hard to ignore.

Winner: Maruti Suzuki Baleno Zeta MT Petrol

Maruti Baleno Zeta Petrol vs Hyundai Venue S 1.2 Petrol - Features Comparison

First, let’s list out the common features available in both the cars:

• Chrome accent on the front grille
• Metal finish on inside door handles
• Tilt steering
• Front headrest adjustable
• Follow me headlamps
• Front armrest
• ABS
• 2 airbags
• Reverse parking sensors
• Rear defogger
• ISOFIX child seat mounts
• Steering-mounted controls
• Bluetooth
• Aux and USB
• Front power windows
• Rear power windows
• Power-adjustable outside mirrors
• Front and rear accessory socket
• Illuminated boot
• Rear parcel tray
• Remote central locking

With that out of the way, let’s see what features the Hyundai Venue S 1.2 petrol has to offer:

• Manual day/night mirror
• Seatbelt pre-tensioners
• Roof rails
• Faux skid plates (front and rear)
• Wheel covers
• 2-din music system
• Manual air conditioning and heating
• Rear AC vents
• Cooled glovebox

That was short and sweet. More short than sweet. The only standout features here are rear AC vents and a cooled glove box. Since the S variant is closer to the bottom of the list, there’s not much to speak of. The Maruti Suzuki Baleno Zeta, however, has more than a few useful features.

Here’s the list of exclusive features:

• Chrome outside door handles
• Turn indicators on outside mirrors
• LED projector headlamps
• Machined alloy wheels
• Illuminated glove box
• Illuminated footwell
• Colour multi-info display in driver’s console
• Front fog lamps
• Power-folding outside mirrors
• Keyless entry and push-button start
• Telescopic steering
• Automatic air conditioning and heating
• Rear headrest adjustable
• 60/40 split rear seats
• Height-adjustable driver’s seat
• 7-inch touchscreen Smartplay infotainment system
• Android Auto and Apple Carplay
• Auto-dimming internal mirror
• Rear washer and wiper

Right from the outside, the Baleno starts to impress us with machined alloy wheels, projector headlamps and rear washer and wiper. The feeling gets stronger once we get inside. The notable features inside include automatic AC, power-folding external mirrors, auto-dimming inside mirror, push-button start and illuminated glove box. The touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple Carplay further reinforce this belief. The useful but easy-to-ignore features unique to the Baleno Zeta are full-colour MID in the driver’s console, height-adjustable driver’s seat, rear adjustable headrests, split rear folding seat backrests and fully-adjustable steering. All of these features make it a pleasant place to spend time in. It’s pretty much the Alpha variant, minus the flash. So, deciding a winner wasn’t even an inconvenience.

Winner: Maruti Suzuki Baleno Zeta MT Petrol

Maruti Suzuki Baleno Zeta Petrol vs Hyundai Venue S 1.2 Petrol - Comparison Verdict

This one is easy to decide for us since we’re after value. It’s Maruti Suzuki Baleno Zeta all the way. We gather picking a winner isn’t going to be difficult for you either. If you want more features for the price you pay, then the Baleno is the answer. If your head turns every time you spot a Venue on the road, then your heart has already spoken. The Venue wears the lines of a mature crossover but comes in a smaller, more manageable package.

The Baleno is about Rs. 22,000 cheaper as well - before you factor in the discounts you can fetch on the hatchback because of its age. If you can manage to take it slightly easier on taller speed breakers and rough roads then the Baleno will offer a rewarding ownership experience with its substantially longer list of exclusive features.

Winner: Maruti Suzuki Baleno Zeta MT Petrol