Sensible Secondhand Reviews: 2019 Suzuki Baleno 1.2 Dualjet SZ3 - Lloyd Vehicle Consulting

[@robertevans8161]

Great review. I have owned a Baleno SZT booster jet for 4 years now. I got it in 2019 when dealers were getting rid of them. Funnily enough it would retail for about the same now as I what I bought it for then, with only 50 miles on the clock! I think these cars are really underrated. They just get on with the job reliably and without fuss. Real world economy is over 50mpg, and it more than holds its own on a motorway (or even a long Autobahn trip). The booster jet is certainly the one to go for and feels really quick. Back seat space is seriously impressive - feels more spacious than my dad’s CX-30. It’s worth noting that Suzuki now do a service activated warranty, meaning it can be warranted for up to 7 years. SZT probably the trim model to go for as it gets a rear camera, front fogs, HD headlights, LED daytime runners, alloys, sat nav, leather steering wheel and the three pot booster jet engine.

[@kingahardt3600]

And how is your Baleno dealing with bumps? A strip of not so good tarmac and I instantly get negative feedback from the suspension. Always wondered if other examples are like that as well.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I think I mentioned it in this video, but I do already have a video on the channel of an SZ5 Boosterjet Baleno that I did in 2021. You are right, this engine and specification is a bit slow and under equipped compared with some of the others, but it's actually not that bad, and this one was in remarkably good condition. You are right that, in spite of virtually no market presence or name recognition, they have actually held their value quite well over the years.

[@robertevans8161]

It's fine. Clearly the ride is not on a par with rivals such as a VW Polo, but I have no complaints.@@kingahardt3600

[@TrevorBuick]

Suzuki cars are underrated, this Baleno looks like all the sensible car anyone would need in that class, other cars have just gone mad in terms of spec and price

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Suzuki have some great cars, but the Baleno was always virtually invisible to the average buyer for some reason, which was a bit of a problem.

[@alaricbragg7843]

Thank you for this video! The Baleno has always been popular in New Zealand. The Kizashi also sold well here. Suzuki, like Daihatsu, seem to concentrate on a niche market, which may at times affect brand popularity in certain countries. You say it is light - how does that compare, say, to that Cortina you recently drove?

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

The Cortina is rated at around 1000 kg (depending on what source you believe), the Baleno is around 900 kg, so a fair bit lighter. The Kizashi was a terrible seller over here...

[@alaricbragg7843]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting Thank you for the information. I did not realise that the Baleno was closely related to the Swift.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@alaricbragg7843 , yes, they are both on the same platform.

[@camperlustig68]

Good Evening Sir, the key is the same as my Suzuki Jimny from 2020

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Goodness me, are they still using it on the Jimny.

[@jampam-jf8mt]

Does ot share parts with rhe swift? Springs, dampers, oil and air filter, wing mirrors, exhaust? If ir doesn't then insurance could be even higher than the swift and difficult to source spares

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I don't actually know, I am afraid. It is a physically larger car than the Swift, so quite possibly they are quite different.

[@lordstiffupperlip3095]

I'm not to sure about Maruti Suzuki build quality now but in the past it wasn't the best . I did like the chrome trunk trim , not sure if that's an accessory ?

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

The chrome strip was standard on all UK cars, as far as I know. Thank you ever so much indeed for watching and commenting, sir!

[@kingahardt3600]

Would be interesting to know why Suzuki discontinued this car (post-mortem of sorts). I know I know, sales figures, but could that been avoided by smarter marketing perhaps? All speculative… this car seems near-perfect on paper - so did it really fail solely due to its looks? What are your opinions ? The only other thing I can think of is cabin feel (plastics)

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

The Baleno had virtually no market presence in this country at all, and I don't think that the previous Baleno from the 1990s and early 2000s (that I have also driven on the channel) particularly helped with the public's perception of the name. They were simply not enough customers for these, rational and sensible though they are.

[@robertevans8161]

When I bought mine (which was just after it had been discontinued), the dealer told me it was due to RDE emissions. Could be to do with it not having a stop-start system? I think the biggest factor would be sales, as it was massively outsold by the Swift and Ignis.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@robertevans8161 , Euro VI D emissions regulations were on the cards at the time when the Baleno was discontinued. Clearly, if you were a manufacturer, and you had to submit your cars for expensive testing to keep them on sale, only to see your average CO2 figures ruined by an unpopular model, it would be cheaper to just withdraw it.

[@kingahardt3600]

Very interesting thoughts and observations. Thank you both. It all makes sense now, Baleno struggled to keep up with its quirkier/sportier brothers - Swift & Ignis.. then regulations kicked in

[@jampam-jf8mt]

You answered your own question.. probably the same reason why you didn't buy one?

[@JustinGeorge-x9q]

Hi , I do not understand Suzuki models these days SZ ? They were always GA, GL . GLX , GLX-SE and JX , JLX , JLX-SE , Sport .

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

They haven't used that trim level structure for over 15 years now.

[@JustinGeorge-x9q]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting I prefer the old structure I'm afraid .🙁

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Well, it's too bad, sadly....

[@richardhowlett7398]

I used to know someone who had a Baleno saloon ! a few years ago . All the car that most will ever need , not necessarily desire.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I think that is a good way to sum up both the latest Baleno, and the previous one, sir!

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

As always Sir, a excellent review on a not very common car.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you ever so much indeed, Mr Watters!

[@mervwhitney7229]

Not bad car for a local runabout Mr Lloyd. It seems to be practical and adequate but maybe not too good at motorway speeds, with road noise.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, a practical and well equipped car for the money, but probably not the most refined.

[@MrSheymie]

Looks quite good to me. Nice straightforward car. The 1.2 litre version achieves particularly good MPG.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Sadly, these turned out to be very resistant to buyers, in spite of their many excellent qualities, and were withdrawn by Suzuki after just three years on the market...

[@MrSheymie]

Good news! Keeps prices lower ;)@@lloydvehicleconsulting

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@MrSheymie , this one is still for sale, sir...

[@michaeloreilly657]

Did your Secret Documents fit?

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I can't remember now...

[@enchantress7940]

Got that sodding song in my head lol

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Just as well you don't edit these videos, then, as it would be really stuck in your head after that...

[@enchantress7940]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting it’s a nice track, just a bit of an ear worm.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@enchantress7940 , it keeps me out of trouble with the KZbin copyright system, as one of my friends wrote it.

[@FearCraddss]

Perfect overall belanced car.Look,engine,space,speed,consuption......

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you ever so much indeed for watching and commenting!

[@nickyboy.]

3rd

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Well done, sir!