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

Comparison overview: The Hyundai Aura starts at ₹6.00 L and the Maruti Suzuki Baleno at ₹5.99 L, a difference of ₹1.10 K ex-showroom. On-road in New Delhi that gap becomes roughly ₹1.22 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 Aura Petrol/CNG Automatic/Manual is rated at 17 kmpl,22 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 ₹1.31 K a month and ₹15.73 K a year on fuel.

Only the Hyundai Aura comes with a factory CNG option at 17 kmpl,22 km/kg, which is the cheapest way to run either car in the city.

Space and practicality: The Hyundai Aura takes 402 litres against 318, about 84 litres more. That is roughly one extra cabin-size bag of extra room.

What one gives that the other does not: The Hyundai Aura adds Anti-Theft Alarm, Driver Airbag, Passenger Airbag, Side Airbag and Day & Night Rear View Mirror. The Maruti Suzuki Baleno adds Petrol Mileage ARAI, Petrol Fuel Tank Capacity, Steering Gear Type, Turning Radius and Boot Space. The rest of both spec sheets is shared.

Which one should you buy?

Buy the Maruti Suzuki Baleno if you drive mostly in the city, you want the lower running cost, and you would rather keep the ₹1.10 K for your down payment than spend it on features.

Buy the Hyundai Aura if you do regular highway runs, you carry luggage or a pram often, and you want Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) without waiting for the next facelift.

The one thing that settles it: Hyundai Aura offers Anti-Theft Alarm.

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.