Tata Altroz vs Maruti Suzuki Baleno: A Comparison of Their Variants Under Rs 9 Lakh for Performance Enthusiasts

What are some of the best performance cars in India? What makes them high-performance car models? Today, we take a look at the Tata Altroz and Maruti Suzuki Baleno, and find out why they appeal to performance enthusiasts.

In this article, we will share

• What a performance enthusiast should look for in a car
• Tata Altroz vs Maruti Suzuki Baleno – a comprehensive analysis of their variants, performance and features
• How to pick the right car for you

Also read: 10 DC Design cars & how they look in the REAL world: Maruti Swift to Mahindra XUV500

What a Performance Enthusiast looks for in a car

Here’s what to look for in a car as a performance enthusiast:

• Acceleration and Speed – How quickly a car accelerates, what is its top speed
• Power – How it pulls weight, how is its high speed stability, does it feel strained while going up the hills, or with AC on
• Agility – How it behaves while turning at speeds
• Driving Experience/Handling – Is the gearbox smooth and responsive, how is its steering/braking performance

For a performance enthusiast, the driving dynamics, agility, and engine responsiveness of a car top the list. The acceleration, power delivery, high-speed stability, and the ability to effortlessly transition through gears matter most. 

Ground clearance, the number of cylinders, and the quality of the transmission, particularly how seamlessly it integrates with the engine’s power, are crucial in fast cars. The enthusiast also seeks minimal body roll and appreciates advanced driving assistance features, ensuring an unparalleled driving experience.

Why Tata Altroz and Maruti Suzuki Baleno are Popular

Both Tata Altroz and Maruti Suzuki Baleno have garnered acclaim among performance enthusiasts. The Altroz, Tata’s bid in the premium hatchback segment, boasts of a robust build and superior ride quality. It promises agility and handling often associated with cars in higher segments. 

On the other hand, the Baleno, Maruti’s premium offering, combines a lightweight design with Maruti’s trusted engine lineup. Baleno, with its agile driving dynamics and smooth power delivery, has managed to appeal to the performance-oriented audience. 

Both cars, while catering to different tastes, are sought after by performance enthusiasts for their distinctive merits as quick cars.

Tata Altroz and Maruti Suzuki Baleno Variants Shortlist in Rs 8-9 Lakh Range

For Maruti Suzuki Baleno, we have:

Variant	Price (INR) as on 9 October 2023
Delta AMT	₹800,000
Zeta	₹838,000
Zeta AMT	₹893,000

For Tata Altroz, we have:

Variant	Price (INR) as on 9 October 2023
XT	₹800,000
XZ	₹850,000
XMA Plus DCT	₹855,000

Maruti Suzuki Baleno Delta AMT

Priced at ₹800,000, this variant comes with a 4-cylinder engine, ensuring smooth power delivery. Its agile nature coupled with a ground clearance of 170mm gives it an edge in urban settings. If you’re a family-focused car buyer, you can read our comparison of the Baleno with Hyundai i20.

Maruti Suzuki Baleno Zeta & Zeta AMT

Both priced under ₹900,000, the Zeta variants are an upgrade with alloy wheels and enhanced agility. While the regular Zeta sticks to manual, the AMT variant offers added driving convenience. If you’re a tech-savvy gadget lover, you can read our comparison of the Baleno with Toyota Glanza.

Tata Altroz XT

This variant, priced at ₹800,000, offers a 3-cylinder engine configuration. Despite a slightly slower engine responsiveness than the Balenos, it compensates with superior vibration and harshness controls. If you’re a safety-conscious buyer, you can read our comparison of the Altroz with Hyundai i20.

Tata Altroz XZ & XMA Plus DCT

The XZ variant offers better features with alloy wheels, while the XMA Plus DCT, with its responsive Dual Clutch Transmission, ensures smoother gear transitions.

Our Pick for the Best variant among Tata Altroz and Maruti Suzuki Baleno for Performance Enthusiasts

The Maruti Suzuki Baleno Zeta stands out for the performance enthusiast. With a 4-cylinder engine, agility, and stability at high speeds, it offers a balanced blend of power and handling. The alloy wheels also enhance its appeal. Its competitive pricing, coupled with these features, make it an attractive choice.

The Top 3 choices

1. Maruti Suzuki Baleno Zeta
2. Tata Altroz XMA Plus DCT
3. Maruti Suzuki Baleno Delta AMT

Attributes	Baleno Zeta	Altroz XMA Plus DCT	Baleno Delta AMT
# of cylinders	4	3	4
Acceleration (0-60 km/h)	Agile	Moderate	Agile
Agility	Yes	Yes	Yes
Body Roll	Minimal	Minimal	Minimal
Drive Type	FWD	FWD	FWD
Engine Power & Fuel type	88.5 BHP, Petrol	86.83 BHP, Petrol	88.5 BHP, Petrol
Engine Torque	113 Nm	113 Nm	113 Nm
Engine responsiveness	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
Ground clearance	170mm	165mm	170mm
High-Speed Stability	Stable	Stable	Stable
Power Steering	Yes	Yes	Yes

How to Pick the Right Car for You

• The Maruti Suzuki Baleno Zeta, with its 4-cylinder engine, delivers an agile acceleration, combined with a stable high-speed driving experience. 
• Tata Altroz XMA Plus DCT, while having a 3-cylinder engine, compensates with its responsive Dual Clutch Transmission, ensuring smoother gear transitions. 
• Lastly, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno Delta AMT, with similar attributes to the Zeta, offers the convenience of AMT at a competitive price point. 

For performance enthusiasts, these variants provide a delightful blend of power, agility, and efficient driving dynamics.

If you’re interested in reading more such face-to-face comparisons of popular car variants, head over to our Buying Advice section.

Also read: Upcoming 2022 Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza rendered