Suzuki Baleno vs Hyundai EXTER

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.

Suzuki Baleno in South Africa

Suzuki Baleno

1.5 GLX AT Petrol 4-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 341,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 77 kW 🔧 138 Nm ⛽ 16.1 km/l
VS
Hyundai EXTER in South Africa

Hyundai EXTER

1.2 Elite AMT Two Tone Petrol Current
ZAR 334,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 5 kW 🔧 114 Nm ⛽ 16.9 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Suzuki Baleno vs Hyundai EXTER: the short answer

Baleno and EXTER are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Both models start at the same price: ZAR 269,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Baleno EXTER
Maximum Power Baleno77 kW EXTER5 kW
Maximum Torque Baleno138 Nm EXTER114 Nm
Engine Size Baleno1462 cc EXTER1197 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Baleno16.1 km/l EXTER16.9 km/l
Ground Clearance Baleno0 mm EXTER185 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 rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

Hyundai EXTER

1.2 Elite AMT Two Tone

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

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
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Performance
Specification evidence leader

EXTER

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Efficiency Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

Baleno

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

EXTER

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Baleno EXTER
Model Introduced Year 2026 Current local generation year not confirmed
Generation Current market generation Current South African EXTER listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data.
Facelift History Current market specification Model-year updates can affect trim, wheels, screens, safety equipment and colours. Use the latest South African price list when checking a specific vehicle.
Facelift Launched Since 2026 Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Hatchback Compact SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active active
Segment Hatchback SUV
Vehicle Type Hatchback SUV
Color Note - Colour availability changes by model year, production batch and dealer stock, check the current colour selector before ordering.
Dealer Stock Note - Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Tare Mass Kg - 999 kg
Spec Baleno EXTER
Length 3990 mm 3815 mm
Width 1745 mm 1710 mm
Height 1500 mm 1631 mm
Wheelbase 2520 mm 2450 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 0 mm 185 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 150 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity 37 l 37 l
Boot/Cargo Space 318 l 391 l
Kerb Weight 940 kg 999 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1700 kg Not Officially Disclosed
Payload Capacity 760 kg Not Officially Disclosed
Towing Capacity 500 kg Not Officially Disclosed
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 2 rows
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.2 m Not Officially Disclosed
Front Headroom 1000 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Headroom 950 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Front Legroom 1050 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Legroom 900 mm Not Officially Disclosed

In depth: how these cars differ

This Baleno and EXTER 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 EXTER 19.

Efficiency index: Baleno 62 vs EXTER 66.

Safety-equipment index: Baleno 87 vs EXTER 84.

Practicality index: Baleno 50 vs EXTER 65.

Ownership-cover index: Baleno not separately scored vs EXTER 65.

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.

Specification Evidence Index

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

EXTER leads by 1 points

Baleno and EXTER are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 58 /100
Lead 1 points
Data 77% source coverage
58
#1 Evidence leader

EXTER

77% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 84 Check Performance 19
Performance 19
Efficiency 66
Safety 84
Practicality 65
Ownership 65
Leads by 1 points
57
#2

Baleno

74% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 87 Check Performance 34
Performance 34
Efficiency 62
Safety 87
Practicality 50
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Baleno +15 Efficiency EXTER +4 Safety Baleno +3 Practicality EXTER +15

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

EXTER

Performance 19/100
Efficiency 66/100
Safety 84/100
Practicality 65/100
Ownership 65/100

Baleno

Performance 34/100
Efficiency 62/100
Safety 87/100
Practicality 50/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Hyundai EXTER leads the specification evidence index with 58 pts vs 57 pts for Baleno

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, EXTER leads. However, Baleno may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Baleno vs EXTER questions

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.