A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
D90 holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Baleno.
Baleno starts ZAR 630,000 cheaperBaleno from ZAR 269,900 · D90 from ZAR 899,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
Baleno
D90
Maximum Power
Baleno77 kW
D90160 kW @ 4000 rpm
Maximum Torque
Baleno138 Nm
D90500 Nm @ 1500-2400 rpm
Engine Size
Baleno1462 cc
D901996 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
Baleno16.1 km/l
D9010.99 km/l
Ground Clearance
Baleno0 mm
D90210 mm
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
Suzuki Baleno
1.5 GLX AT
Hagalu editorial ratingNot yet rated
No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.
Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Baleno
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Efficiency
Specification evidence leader
D90
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
Baleno
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
D90
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
Baleno
D90
Model Introduced Year
2026
2025
Generation
Current market generation
Current South African D90 generation.
Facelift History
Current market specification
No later South African facelift is published.
Facelift Launched Since
2026
2025
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Hatchback
Seven-seat large SUV
Model Year
2026
2025
Production Status
active
active
Segment
Hatchback
SUV
Vehicle Type
Hatchback
SUV
Spec
Baleno
D90
Length
3990 mm
5046 mm
Width
1745 mm
2016 mm
Height
1500 mm
1876 mm
Wheelbase
2520 mm
2950 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
0 mm
210 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
150 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity
37 l
Not Officially Disclosed
Boot/Cargo Space
318 l
343 l
Kerb Weight
940 kg
2370 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1700 kg
3100 kg
Payload Capacity
760 kg
730 kg
Towing Capacity
500 kg
3100 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
7 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
3 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.2 m
6.45 m
Front Headroom
1000 mm
1010 mm
Rear Headroom
950 mm
990 mm
Front Legroom
1050 mm
1050 mm
Rear Legroom
900 mm
950 mm
Spec
Baleno
D90
Engine
1.5-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol
2.0L twin-turbo diesel
Engine Code
K15B/K15C
SC20M218Q6B
Fuel Type
Petrol
Diesel
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1462 cc
1996 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
16
16
Valves per Cylinder
4
4
Aspiration
Naturally Aspirated
Twin Turbocharged
Fuel System
Multi-point fuel injection
High-pressure common-rail direct injection
Compression Ratio
12.0:1
15.9:1
Bore
73.0 mm
83 mm
Stroke
85.0 mm
92 mm
Maximum Power
77 kW
160 kW @ 4000 rpm
Maximum Torque
138 Nm
500 Nm @ 1500-2400 rpm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Drive Type
Not Officially Disclosed
4WD
Transmission
4-Speed Automatic
8-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
170 km/h
175 km/h
0-100 km/h
9.5 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
16.5 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Not Officially Disclosed
Sport, Normal, Eco
Launch Control
No
No
Rev Limiter
6500 rpm
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
81.9 kW/tonne
67.51 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
146.8 Nm/tonne
210.97 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
Baleno
D90
Gearbox
4-speed automatic
8-speed automatic
Drivetrain Layout
2WD
Front-engine four-wheel drive
LSD Available
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Intelligent/selectable 4WD
Differential Lock
No
Centre + Rear + Front
Paddle Shifters
No
Standard
Final Drive Ratio
4.3
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Gears
4
8
Transmission Type
4-speed automatic
Torque-converter automatic
Clutch Type
Torque converter / CVT
Torque converter
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Standard
Gear Shift Type
Floor-mounted selector
Steering wheel
Drivetrain
2WD
4WD
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Automatic Shift Paddles
No
Standard
Front Differential Lock
No
Standard
Gearbox Type
4-speed automatic
Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Low Range
Not Applicable
Standard
Axle Layout
Front driven axle
4WD
Rear Differential Lock
No
Standard
Transmission Speeds
4
8
Spec
Baleno
D90
Claimed Mileage
16.1 km/l
10.99 km/l
City Mileage
16.0 km/l
8.77 km/l
Highway Mileage
19.0 km/l
12.82 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
37 l
75 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6 equivalent
Euro 5
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
20 l
Auto Start Stop
Yes
Standard
Real-world Mileage
16.1 km/l
10.99 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
37
75
Combined Driving Range
700
824.18
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
650 km
Not Officially Disclosed
Range Real World Mixed
600 km
735.29 km
Spec
Baleno
D90
Airbags
6
Not Officially Disclosed
ABS
Not Applicable
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Yes
Standard
Traction Control
Yes
Standard
Hill Descent Control
No
Standard
Hill Start Assist
Yes
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Yes
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Yes
Standard
Brake Assist
Yes
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Yes
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Not Applicable
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Yes
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
AEB
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
BA
Yes
Standard
Brake Override System
Yes
Yes
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Standard
Driver Airbag
Yes
Standard
EBD
Not Applicable
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Standard
Hill Hold
Yes
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Standard
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Seatbelt Reminder
Yes
Standard
Side Airbags
Yes
Standard
Stability Control
Yes
Standard
TCS
Yes
Standard
Knee Airbag
No
Not Available
ABS EBD
Not Applicable
Standard
Spec
Baleno
D90
Cruise Control
Adaptive cruise control
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Standard
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
Standard
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Applicable
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Standard
Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Standard
Rear View Camera
Yes
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Driver Fatigue Alert
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Auto Highbeam
Not Applicable
Standard
Auto Wipers
Yes
Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
Yes
Standard
Reverse Camera
Yes
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Standard
Park Assist
Yes
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Blind Spot Warning
Not Applicable
Standard
Forward Collision Warning
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
Baleno
D90
Seat Material
Fabric upholstery
Leather
Heated Seats
No
Standard
Ventilated Seats
No
Standard
Ambient Lighting
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
Leather
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Driver Seat Adjustment
Manual adjustment
8-way electric + lumbar + massage + heating
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Manual adjustment
4-way electric + lumbar + heating + massage + ventilation
Seat Trim
Fabric upholstery
Leather
Spec
Baleno
D90
Climate Control
Automatic climate control
Automatic front and rear
Power Windows
Yes
Standard
Keyless Entry
Yes
Standard
Push Button Start
Yes
Standard
Wireless Charging
Yes
Standard
Sunroof
No
Panoramic
Electric Tailgate
No
Standard
Rain Sensing Wipers
Not Applicable
Standard
AC Type
Automatic climate control
Automatic front and rear
Spec
Baleno
D90
Infotainment System
Touchscreen infotainment system
12.3-inch touchscreen
Apple CarPlay
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Android Auto
Android Auto
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Standard
Number of Speakers
6
12
Digital Instrument Cluster
Digital instrument display
12.3
USB Ports
USB-A / USB-C
Standard
Infotainment Screen
9
12.3
Touchscreen
9
12.3
Spec
Baleno
D90
LED Headlamps
Yes
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
LED
LED
Fog Lamps
Yes
Standard
Roof Rails
No
Standard
Exterior Colour Options
Multiple Suzuki factory exterior colours
Natural White; Metal Ash; Metal Black; Spruce Green
Headlights
Yes
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
No
Standard
Spec
Baleno
D90
Approach Angle
Not Applicable
28 deg
Departure Angle
Not Applicable
25 deg
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
550 mm
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Locking Differential
No
Standard
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
20 deg
Spec
Baleno
D90
Tyre Size
195/60 R16
265/50 R20
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Space-saver spare wheel
255/60 R18
Wheel Rim Size
16
20
Handbrake Type
Manual parking brake
Electronic parking brake
Spec
Baleno
D90
Front Suspension
MacPherson strut
Double wishbone
Rear Suspension
Torsion beam
5-link coil spring
Spec
Baleno
D90
CO2 Emissions
145 g/km
239 g/km
Spec
Baleno
D90
Service Plan
5 Years / 90000 km
5 years / 100000 km
Spec
Baleno
D90
Ownership Role
Suzuki ownership programme
Passenger vehicle
Price Zar
312500 ZAR
899900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Hagalu Research Team price estimate
Current go-live price
Starting Price
312500
899900
Starting Price Zar
312500
899900
Spec
Baleno
D90
Warranty
5 Years / 200000 km
5 years / 200000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This Baleno and D90 comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: Baleno 34 vs D90 82.
Efficiency index: Baleno 62 vs D90 45.
Safety-equipment index: Baleno 87 vs D90 93.
Practicality index: Baleno 50 vs D90 78.
Ownership-cover index: Baleno not separately scored vs D90 not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Model imagery
Baleno and D90 image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout
D90 leads by 19 points
D90 holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Baleno.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
D90
Performance
82/100
Efficiency
45/100
Safety
93/100
Practicality
78/100
Baleno
Performance
34/100
Efficiency
62/100
Safety
87/100
Practicality
50/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexLDV D90
leads the specification evidence index with 76 pts
vs 57 pts for Baleno
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, D90 leads. However, Baleno may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
Compare
Request dealer offers
Let's discuss your next car
Share your interest so Hagalu can follow up about quotations and available discounts. The dealer confirms stock, price and terms.
✓
We've Got Your Details!
Your enquiry has reached Hagalu for follow-up. Any dealer offer will be confirmed separately by the seller.