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.
NX holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Baleno.
Baleno starts ZAR 804,300 cheaperBaleno from ZAR 269,900 · NX from ZAR 1,074,200
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
Baleno
NX
Maximum Power
Baleno77 kW
NX205 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
Baleno138 Nm
NX430 Nm
Engine Size
Baleno1462 cc
NX2400 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
Baleno16.1 km/l
NX12.3 km/l
Ground Clearance
Baleno0 mm
NX195 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
NX
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
NX
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
NX
Model Introduced Year
2026
2023
Generation
Current market generation
Second-generation Lexus NX mid-size luxury SUV
Facelift History
Current market specification
Current South African range includes petrol, self-charging hybrid and plug-in-hybrid derivatives
Facelift Launched Since
2026
Current South African range includes petrol, self-charging hybrid and plug-in-hybrid derivatives
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current South African specification checked 2026-07-17
Body Style
Hatchback
SUV
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
published
Segment
Hatchback
Luxury SUV
Vehicle Type
Hatchback
SUV
Tare Mass Kg
-
1760-1860 kg
Spec
Baleno
NX
Length
3990 mm
4660 mm
Width
1745 mm
1865 mm
Height
1500 mm
1670 mm
Wheelbase
2520 mm
2690 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
0 mm
195 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
150 mm
-
Fuel Tank Capacity
37 l
55 l
Boot/Cargo Space
318 l
520 l
Kerb Weight
940 kg
-
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1700 kg
2370 kg
Payload Capacity
760 kg
-
Towing Capacity
500 kg
1000 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
-
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.2 m
5.8 m
Front Headroom
1000 mm
-
Rear Headroom
950 mm
-
Front Legroom
1050 mm
-
Rear Legroom
900 mm
-
Spec
Baleno
NX
Engine
1.5-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol
2.4-litre Turbocharged Petrol
Engine Code
K15B/K15C
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1462 cc
2400 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
16
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
4
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Naturally Aspirated
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Multi-point fuel injection
Petrol SFI + D-4ST
Compression Ratio
12.0:1
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
73.0 mm
87.5 mm
Stroke
85.0 mm
99.5 mm
Maximum Power
77 kW
205 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
138 Nm
430 Nm
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
AWD
Transmission
4-Speed Automatic
8-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
170 km/h
200 km/h
0-100 km/h
9.5 sec
7.0 sec
Quarter Mile
16.5 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard Eco, Normal, Sport, Sport S+
Launch Control
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
6500 rpm
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
81.9 kW/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
146.8 Nm/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
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
NX
Gearbox
4-speed automatic
Automatic 8-speed
Drivetrain Layout
2WD
AWD
LSD Available
No
-
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
No
-
Paddle Shifters
No
Standard
Final Drive Ratio
4.3
-
Number of Gears
4
8
Transmission Type
4-speed automatic
Automatic 8-speed
Clutch Type
Torque converter / CVT
-
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
-
Gear Shift Type
Floor-mounted selector
Automatic
Drivetrain
2WD
AWD
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Permanent all-wheel drive
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
No
Standard
Front Differential Lock
No
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
4-speed automatic
Automatic 8-speed
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Front driven axle
AWD
Rear Differential Lock
No
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
4
8
Spec
Baleno
NX
Claimed Mileage
16.1 km/l
12.3 km/l
City Mileage
16.0 km/l
9.9 km/l
Highway Mileage
19.0 km/l
14.5 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
37 l
55 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6 equivalent
-
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Yes
Standard
Real-world Mileage
16.1 km/l
12.3 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
37
55
Combined Driving Range
700
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
650 km
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
600 km
Not Applicable
Spec
Baleno
NX
Airbags
6
Side,Curtain,Driver,Passenger,Driver Knee
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 2
Brake Assist
Yes
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Yes
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Not Applicable
Siren/ Glass Break Sensor,Tilt Sensor,Ultra-Wide Band
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Yes
Front + Rear/ Buzzer + Light
Front Parking Sensors
Yes
Standard Intelligent Clearance Sonar,Rear Cross Traffic Alert + Braking
AEB
Yes
Standard
BA
Yes
Standard
Brake Override System
Yes
-
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Standard
Driver Airbag
Yes
Standard
EBD
Not Applicable
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Siren/ Glass Break Sensor,Tilt Sensor,Ultra-Wide Band
Hill Hold
Yes
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
-
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
ELR,Pretensioner,Force Limiter,Tension Reducer -
Seatbelt Reminder
Yes
Front + Rear/ Buzzer + Light
Side Airbags
Yes
Standard
Stability Control
Yes
Standard
TCS
Yes
Standard,,
Knee Airbag
No
Standard
ABS EBD
Not Applicable
Standard
Alarm System
-
Siren/ Glass Break Sensor,Tilt Sensor,Ultra-Wide Band
Anti Theft Alarm
-
Siren/ Glass Break Sensor,Tilt Sensor,Ultra-Wide Band
Spec
Baleno
NX
Cruise Control
Adaptive cruise control
Standard Adaptive,All Speed
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Standard Adaptive,All Speed
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
Standard Steering Vibration,Lane Trace Assist
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
Standard Steering Vibration,Lane Trace Assist
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Applicable
Standard With Rear Cross Traffic Alert,Safe Exit Assist
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
-
Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Standard Intelligent Clearance Sonar,Rear Cross Traffic Alert + Braking
Rear View Camera
Yes
Display Audio// Panoramic View Monitor
360 Degree Camera
Yes
Display Audio// Panoramic View Monitor
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Yes
Standard
Driver Fatigue Alert
Yes
-
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
-
Auto Highbeam
Not Applicable
Standard
Auto Wipers
Yes
Auto,Rainsensing
Rear Parking Sensors
Yes
Standard Intelligent Clearance Sonar,Rear Cross Traffic Alert + Braking
Reverse Camera
Yes
Display Audio// Panoramic View Monitor
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Standard Adaptive,All Speed
Park Assist
Yes
-
Around View Monitor
Yes
Display Audio// Panoramic View Monitor
Blind Spot Warning
Not Applicable
Standard With Rear Cross Traffic Alert,Safe Exit Assist
Forward Collision Warning
Yes
Standard
Spec
Baleno
NX
Seat Material
Fabric upholstery
F SPORT
Heated Seats
No
Standard Driver and Passenger only
Ventilated Seats
No
Standard Front only
Ambient Lighting
No
-
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
3 Spoke/ F SPORT
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
60:40 -
Driver Seat Adjustment
Manual adjustment
Driver + Passenger Power// Driver Memory
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Manual adjustment
Driver + Passenger Power// Driver Memory
Seat Trim
Fabric upholstery
F SPORT
Seat Adjustment
-
Driver + Passenger Power// Driver Memory
Folding Rear Seats
-
60:40 -
Rear Armrest
-
Standard
Cup Holders
-
Standard 4
Instrument Cluster Type
-
Standard TFT
Driver Lumbar Support
-
Driver 2-way,Power
Spec
Baleno
NX
Climate Control
Automatic climate control
Auto Dual zone
Power Windows
Yes
All/ All One Touch
Keyless Entry
Yes
Standard Smart Entry
Push Button Start
Yes
Push Start
Wireless Charging
Yes
Standard
Sunroof
No
Tilt & Slide,Panoramic
Electric Tailgate
No
Standard Power and Handsfree
Rain Sensing Wipers
Not Applicable
Standard
AC Type
Automatic climate control
Auto Dual zone
Load Bed Length
-
Not Applicable
Load Bed Width
-
Not Applicable
Heads Up Display
-
Standard
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control
Auto Dual zone
Loadbox Length Mm
-
Not Applicable
Loadbox Width Mm
-
Not Applicable
Spec
Baleno
NX
Infotainment System
Touchscreen infotainment system
Mark Levinson/ EMV
Apple CarPlay
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Android Auto
Android Auto
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Standard
Number of Speakers
6
Standard 17
Digital Instrument Cluster
Digital instrument display
Standard TFT
USB Ports
USB-A / USB-C
Standard 5PCs
Infotainment Screen
9
Mark Levinson/ EMV
Touchscreen
9
Mark Levinson/ EMV
Navigation System
-
Standard/ EMV
Infotainment Screen Size
9
Mark Levinson/ EMV
Audio Speakers
6
Standard 17
Audio System
-
Mark Levinson/ EMV
Front Rear USB Charge Ports
-
Standard 5PCs
Connected Services
-
Standard
Spec
Baleno
NX
LED Headlamps
Yes
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
LED
Standard LED
Fog Lamps
Yes
Standard LED
Roof Rails
No
Standard
Exterior Colour Options
Multiple Suzuki factory exterior colours
White Nova, Sonic Titanium, Solar Storm Red, Poseidon Blue, Graphite Black GF, Terrane Khaki, Sonic Chrome, Sonic Copper
Headlights
Yes
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
No
Tilt & Slide,Panoramic
Spec
Baleno
NX
Approach Angle
Not Applicable
15.0 deg
Departure Angle
Not Applicable
25.0 deg
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
-
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Standard
Locking Differential
No
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Permanent all-wheel drive
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
-
Approach Angle Deg
-
15.0 deg
Departure Angle Deg
-
25.0 deg
Ground Clearance Max
-
195 mm
Ground Clearance Min
-
195 mm
Spec
Baleno
NX
Tyre Size
195/60 R16
F:235-50RF R20 / R:235-50RF R20
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated Disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Ventilated Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Space-saver spare wheel
-
Wheel Rim Size
16
20
Handbrake Type
Manual parking brake
Electric
Spec
Baleno
NX
Front Suspension
MacPherson strut
MacPherson -
Rear Suspension
Torsion beam
Double Wishbone -
Front Track Width
-
1605 mm
Rear Track Width
-
1625 mm
Spec
Baleno
NX
CO2 Emissions
145 g/km
185 g/km
Spec
Baleno
NX
Service Plan
5 Years / 90000 km
-
Service Interval
-
12 months / 15,000km
Spec
Baleno
NX
Ownership Role
Suzuki ownership programme
Private luxury, family and business
Price Zar
312500 ZAR
1276500 ZAR
Pricing Role
Hagalu Research Team price estimate
Flagship
Starting Price
312500
1276500
Starting Price Zar
312500
1276500
Spec
Baleno
NX
Warranty
5 Years / 200000 km
7 years / 105,000km
In depth: how these cars differ
This Baleno and NX 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 NX 86.
Efficiency index: Baleno 62 vs NX 49.
Safety-equipment index: Baleno 87 vs NX 93.
Practicality index: Baleno 50 vs NX 65.
Ownership-cover index: Baleno not separately scored vs NX 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 NX 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
NX leads by 18 points
NX holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Baleno.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
NX
Performance
86/100
Efficiency
49/100
Safety
93/100
Practicality
65/100
Baleno
Performance
34/100
Efficiency
62/100
Safety
87/100
Practicality
50/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexLexus NX
leads the specification evidence index with 75 pts
vs 57 pts for Baleno
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, NX 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.
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