Hyundai Exter vs Maruti Suzuki Baleno Comparison 2026: Price, Mileage, Features

Comparison overview: The Hyundai Exter starts at ₹5.80 L and the Maruti Suzuki Baleno at ₹5.99 L, a difference of ₹18.70 K ex-showroom. On-road in New Delhi that gap becomes roughly ₹20.76 K. Here is what the extra money actually buys.

Engine and performance: Both cars use the same 1197cc Petrol/CNG engine and Automatic/Manual gearbox, so performance will not decide this for you. Price, features and boot space will.

Mileage and running cost: The Hyundai Exter Petrol/CNG Automatic/Manual is rated at 19.4 kmpl, 27.1 km/kg and the Maruti Suzuki Baleno Petrol/CNG Automatic/Manual at 23.8 - 24.77 kmpl. At 1,000 km a month, the Maruti Suzuki Baleno saves you about ₹743.3076323312831 a month and ₹8.92 K a year on fuel.

Only the Hyundai Exter comes with a factory CNG option at 19.4 kmpl, 27.1 km/kg, which is the cheapest way to run either car in the city.

Space and practicality: The Hyundai Exter takes 391 litres against 318, about 73 litres more. That is roughly one extra cabin-size bag of extra room.

What one gives that the other does not: The Hyundai Exter adds Child Safety Locks, Anti-Theft Alarm, Driver Airbag, Passenger Airbag and Side Airbag. The Maruti Suzuki Baleno adds Petrol Mileage ARAI, Petrol Fuel Tank Capacity, Turning Radius, Gross Weight and Boot Opening. The rest of both spec sheets is shared.

Which one should you buy?

Buy the Hyundai Exter if you drive mostly in the city, you want the lower running cost, and you would rather keep the ₹18.70 K for your down payment than spend it on features.

Buy the Maruti Suzuki Baleno if you do regular highway runs, you carry luggage or a pram often, and you want Engine Type without waiting for the next facelift.

The one thing that settles it: Hyundai Exter offers Child Safety Locks.

Before you sign anything:

Ex-showroom price is not what you pay. Add registration, road tax, insurance and handling, and expect the final figure to land ten to twelve percent higher. Road tax changes state to state, so a car that costs the same in two cities does not cost the same to own.

Ask the dealer four things before you book. What is the current waiting period for the variant you want. What is the on-road figure.

Then drive both cars back to back on the same day, on a road you actually use. Take your family. Put your usual luggage in the boot. Most people decide in the first ten minutes, and it is rarely for the reason they expected.