Automatic Hatchback Battle: Baleno Automatic vs Jazz Automatic Comparison

By Kennedy

Published: Monday, April 11, 2016, 14:37 [IST]

Maruti has stepped up its competition in the premium hatchback segment with the Baleno and it has sent out a clear message that they are indeed at the top of the game. How does the automatic variant of the Baleno stand to compare against the Honda Jazz? Read on to find out.

maruti-baleno-automatic-vs-honda-jazz-automatic-comparison

Design

The Maruti Baleno Automatic comes in two variants - Delta and Zeta in petrol engine only. Design wise, the Baleno is not the ravishing looking premium hatchback, however, it is relevant to the segment.

Muscular is the tone of the design of the Baleno, the bulge on the side profile does exemplify the design language the manufacturer has followed.

maruti-baleno-automatic-vs-honda-jazz-automatic-comparison1

Also Read: Comparison Of Honda City CVT vs Maruti Suzuki Ciaz CVT

Talking about what the two variants have to offer, you would not see any of the premium features like the DRLs or the projector headlamps. It does feature the alloy wheels for the Zeta variant and wheel caps for the Delta model.

Chrome door handles for the Zeta and body coloured door handles for the Delta. Also, the Zeta will come with UV cut glass for the windows and qtr glasses, which helps you during sunny days.

View Photos

Also Read: Quick Review Of The Hyundai Creta Automatic

Apart from these, the automatic variant of the Baleno features body coloured ORVMs, bumpers, turn indicators on the ORVMs, chrome accent on the front grille, and the rear spoiler.

Looking at the Honda Jazz Automatic, it comes in two variants - S and V in the petrol engine only. The hatchback is designed with sharp features, the wing design philosophy of Honda is prominent with the chrome strip on the front grille, the wraparound headlamps with single barrel make the Jazz a great looking car.

As for the side profile of the Jazz, it's does not have the bulges like the Baleno, and it is designed with thick shoulder lines and it does not look ugly at all, in fact, it looks great and compliments the entire design package. Moving to the rear profile, the Jazz looks sportier with the chunky taillamps, and the chrome strip above the licence plate make up the Honda Jazz.

Taking a closer look at the Jazz, the sporty headlamps comes across variants as standard, the front grille is finished off with black gloss and the thin chrome strip which runs between the two headlamps.

View Photos

The rear spoiler is featured only in the top of the variant, the Jazz automatic misses out on this. Alloy wheels, electric folding/adjustable ORVMs and the turn indicators are featured in the V variant only, the ORVMs and door handles are body coloured and no chrome options like the Baleno.

As for the interiors, the Maruti Baleno automatic variant comes with illumination in the glove box, luggage room and at the front footwell, also, it features TFT driver information display and leather-wrapped steering wheel. These features are not available on the S variant, it includes only the metal finished inside door handles and metal tipped parking brake.

Honda Jazz Automatic variant V comes with the leather strapped steering wheel and gear knob, inner door handles are glossy silver, front centre panel with the premium black gloss finish, silver finished door ornaments. The S variant will feature silver finished gear knob and inner door handles and silver AC vents.

Overall Design Rating

Maruti Baleno Automatic - 8/10
Honda Jazz Automatic - 8/10

Engine Specifications & Gearbox

The Maruti Baleno Automatic is powered by a 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine, which punches out 83bhp at 6000rpm and torque of 115Nm at 4000rpm. This is mated to the automatic variant which is called as CVT (Continuous Variable Transmission).

As for the Honda Jazz Automatic, the hatchback is powered by 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine, which pushes out 89bhp at 6000rpm and torque of 110Nm at 4800rpm. The CVT gearbox will come with paddle shifters for the top variant 'V' and the 'S' variant will feature the gear stick.

The mileage figures for the Maruti Baleno Automatic is 21.4km/l and the Honda Jazz Automatic will give 19km/l.

Overall Engine Rating

Maruti Baleno Automatic - 7.5/10
Honda Jazz 8/10

Features

The features of a car are one of the most important detail to decide on your car, manufacturers differentiate themselves based on the features of thier car.

Maruti Baleno Automatic variant will feature the audio system with radio, MP3, and CD player with Bluetooth connectivity, AUX and USB. Also, the Baleno Automatic will also get the steering mounted audio controls.

Both the variant does not come with SmartPlay infotainment system which features the navigation system, voice command, and Smartphone Connect and the Apple CarPlay, this is seen only on the top variant of the Baleno with the manual gearbox.

Coming to the comfort and convenience, the Maruti Baleno Zeta variant will feature telescopic steering, follow-me-headlamps, front armrest with storage, height adjustable driver seat and push start/stop button with smart key.

The Delta variant of the Baleno will come with central locking with keyless entry, power windows, auto AC, 60:40 split rear seat, and front and rear accessory socket.

Honda Jazz Automatic 'V' variant will come with an advanced integrated audio system with 5-inch screen along with Radio, AUX, USB, MP3, WMA, AAC and Smartphone Enabled Music System. Also, it features the handsfree telephone, audio control on the steering, and speed volume compensation.

As for the 'S' variant of the Honda Jazz automatic, integrated audio system with a 3.5-inch screen with AUX, USB, radio, MP3, WMA, AAC and hands-free telephone, it also features steering mounted audio controls.

Overall Features Rating

Maruti Baleno Automatic - 7.5/10
Honda Jazz Automatic - 8/10

Safety

The safety features are seeing a rapid change due to the norms set by the government, by 2017 all manufacturers will have to abide by rules of standard airbags and ABS with EBD. Some of the companies have already started to offer it in their product line-up.

Maruti has engineered the Baleno with Suzuki TECT body (Total Effective Control Technology), dual airbags, and ABS with EBD is standard across variants of the Baleno. Also, anti-theft security system, dual horn, front fog lamps, auto headlamps, reverse parking sensors and camera, rear wiper and washer, and defogger are also standard in the Delta and Zeta variants.

What the Baleno Delta variant does not get is the front fog lamps and auto headlamps, auto dimming IRVM and reverse parking camera.

Honda has built the Jazz with ACE body structure (Advanced Capability Engineering), as for the features, dual airbags are offered only on the 'V' variant of the Jazz, the 'S' variant will get the ABS with EBD. Also, the reverse parking camera and front fog lamps are seen in the Jazz automatic top variant only. The 'S' variant will get engine immobiliser, driver seat belt reminder, rear windshield defogger and key off reminder.

Overall Safety Rating

Maruti Baleno Automatic - 8/10
Honda Jazz - 7.5/10

Pricing

Maruti Baleno Delta CVT	Rs 6.81 lakh
Maruti Baleno Zeta CVT	Rs. 7.47 lakh

Honda Jazz S CVT	Rs. 7.26 lakh
Honda Jazz V CVT	Rs. 8.13 lakh

*All Prices Are Ex-Showroom (Delhi)

Verdict

The Honda Jazz Automatic scores well in terms of features and engine specifications, however, the all-important safety feature is scored better by the Maruti Baleno Automatic. The Jazz performs better with a good amount of power and it also features paddle shifters.

If you are looking for value for money, the Maruti Baleno Automatic scores better compared to the Honda Jazz Automatic, adding to that is the post sales service of the Maruti, which is the best in the country.

However, if you are looking for better power and slightly better looking car, the Honda Jazz Automatic scores better in this department.