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.
RAV4 holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Baleno.
Baleno starts ZAR 340,100 cheaperBaleno from ZAR 269,900 · RAV4 from ZAR 610,000
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
Baleno
RAV4
Maximum Power
Baleno77 kW
RAV4137 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
Baleno138 Nm
RAV4221 Nm
Engine Size
Baleno1462 cc
RAV42500 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
Baleno16.1 km/l
RAV421.3 km/l
Ground Clearance
Baleno0 mm
RAV4186 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
Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:General Use
Specification evidence leader
RAV4
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
No obvious weak spots to flag.
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished EfficiencyPublished Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
Baleno
Buyers who prefer this derivative's confirmed specification mix
RAV4
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
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
RAV4
Model Introduced Year
2026
2026
Generation
Current market generation
All-new sixth-generation RAV4 introduced in South Africa in July 2026
Facelift History
Current market specification
Full model change for 2026 with HEV, PHEV and GR-Sport derivatives
Facelift Launched Since
2026
Full model change for 2026 with HEV, PHEV and GR-Sport derivatives
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current South African 2026 specification
Body Style
Hatchback
SUV
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
active
Segment
Hatchback
SUV
Vehicle Type
Hatchback
SUV
Tare Mass Kg
-
1725-1740 kg
Spec
Baleno
RAV4
Length
3990 mm
4645 mm
Width
1745 mm
1880 mm
Height
1500 mm
1680 mm
Wheelbase
2520 mm
2690 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
0 mm
186 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
150 mm
125 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
37 l
55 l
Boot/Cargo Space
318 l
732 l
Kerb Weight
940 kg
1560 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1700 kg
2230 kg
Payload Capacity
760 kg
460 kg
Towing Capacity
500 kg
1000 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.2 m
5.6 m
Front Headroom
1000 mm
991 mm
Rear Headroom
950 mm
947 mm
Front Legroom
1050 mm
1031 mm
Rear Legroom
900 mm
882 mm
Spec
Baleno
RAV4
Engine
1.5-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol
2.5-litre Petrol Hybrid
Engine Code
K15B/K15C
Market-specific engine family
Fuel Type
Petrol
Hybrid
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Self Charging Hybrid
Engine Displacement
1462 cc
2500 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
16
16
Valves per Cylinder
4
4
Aspiration
Naturally Aspirated
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Multi-point fuel injection
Petrol Hybrid
Compression Ratio
12.0:1
10.5:1
Bore
73.0 mm
87.5 mm
Stroke
85.0 mm
103.48 mm
Maximum Power
77 kW
137 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
138 Nm
221 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
1 kW
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
1 Nm
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
1
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Integrated transmission electric motor
Drive Type
Not Officially Disclosed
FWD
Transmission
4-Speed Automatic
CVT
Top Speed
170 km/h
180 km/h
0-100 km/h
9.5 sec
7.8 sec
Quarter Mile
16.5 sec
15.5 sec
Drive Modes
Not Officially Disclosed
Sport, Trail, Snow
Launch Control
No
No
Rev Limiter
6500 rpm
6500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio
81.9 kW/tonne
100 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
146.8 Nm/tonne
220 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
1 kWh
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
64.8 kWh
Battery Type
Not Applicable
Lithium-ion
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
400 V
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
Yes
Spec
Baleno
RAV4
Gearbox
4-speed automatic
CVT
Drivetrain Layout
2WD
AWD E-FOUR
LSD Available
No
Standard Front + Rear,
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
No
Electronic AWD Control
Paddle Shifters
No
Standard
Final Drive Ratio
4.3
Not Applicable
Number of Gears
4
Not Applicable
Transmission Type
4-speed automatic
CVT
Clutch Type
Torque converter / CVT
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Type
Floor-mounted selector
Automatic
Drivetrain
2WD
AWD E-FOUR
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Permanent electric 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
CVT
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Front driven axle
AWD E-FOUR
Rear Differential Lock
No
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
4
Not Applicable
Spec
Baleno
RAV4
Claimed Mileage
16.1 km/l
21.3 km/l
City Mileage
16.0 km/l
17.2 km/l
Highway Mileage
19.0 km/l
24.8 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
37 l
55 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6 equivalent
Euro 6
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Yes
Not Available
Real-world Mileage
16.1 km/l
21.3 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
RAV4
Airbags
6
Driver Knee, Front Side, Rear Curtain, Front Curtain
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 Standard Eco / Normal /
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Yes
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Not Applicable
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Yes
Front + Rear
Front Parking Sensors
Yes
Intelligent Clearance Sonar
AEB
Yes
Standard
BA
Yes
Standard Standard Eco / Normal /
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
Yes
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
Yes
Seatbelt Reminder
Yes
Front + Rear
Side Airbags
Yes
Standard
Stability Control
Yes
Standard
TCS
Yes
Standard
Knee Airbag
No
Standard
ABS EBD
Not Applicable
Standard
Spec
Baleno
RAV4
Cruise Control
Adaptive cruise control
Standard Adaptive, All Speed
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Standard Adaptive, All Speed
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
Standard Lane Trace Assist
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
Standard Lane Trace Assist
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Applicable
Standard Safe Exit Assist
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Yes
Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Intelligent Clearance Sonar
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
Yes
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
Standard
Auto Highbeam
Not Applicable
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Yes
Auto, Rainsensing
Rear Parking Sensors
Yes
Intelligent Clearance Sonar
Reverse Camera
Yes
Display Audio/ Panoramic View Monitor
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Standard Adaptive, All Speed
Park Assist
Yes
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Yes
Display Audio/ Panoramic View Monitor
Blind Spot Warning
Not Applicable
Standard Safe Exit Assist
Forward Collision Warning
Yes
Standard
Spec
Baleno
RAV4
Seat Material
Fabric upholstery
GR Sport Leather Sporty
Heated Seats
No
Standard Front
Ventilated Seats
No
Not Available
Ambient Lighting
No
Standard
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
3 Spoke Heated, GR-S Leather
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
Not Applicable
Driver Seat Adjustment
Manual adjustment
Driver & Passenger Power
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Manual adjustment
Driver & Passenger Power
Seat Trim
Fabric upholstery
GR Sport Leather Sporty
Spec
Baleno
RAV4
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 Front x1
Sunroof
No
Moon roof
Electric Tailgate
No
Standard Power
Rain Sensing Wipers
Not Applicable
Standard
AC Type
Automatic climate control
Auto Dual zone
Load Bed Length
-
Not Applicable
Load Bed Width
-
Not Applicable
Loadbox Length Mm
-
Not Applicable
Loadbox Width Mm
-
Not Applicable
Spec
Baleno
RAV4
Infotainment System
Touchscreen infotainment system
JBL Display Audio, 12.9-inch
Apple CarPlay
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Android Auto
Android Auto
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Standard
Number of Speakers
6
Standard 9 Standard Audio, Info Display, Voice
Digital Instrument Cluster
Digital instrument display
Standard 12.3-inch
USB Ports
USB-A / USB-C
Standard 5PCs
Infotainment Screen
9
12.9-inch
Touchscreen
9
12.9-inch
Spec
Baleno
RAV4
LED Headlamps
Yes
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
LED
Standard
Fog Lamps
Yes
Standard LED
Roof Rails
No
Standard
Exterior Colour Options
Multiple Suzuki factory exterior colours
Platinum White Pearl, Attitude Black, Smokey Blue, Urban Khaki, Fierce Red and selected bi-tone finishes
Headlights
Yes
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
No
Not Available
Spec
Baleno
RAV4
Approach Angle
Not Applicable
25 deg
Departure Angle
Not Applicable
23 deg
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
500 mm
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Normal; Eco; Sport; Off-road
Locking Differential
No
Yes
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Permanent electric all-wheel drive
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
20 deg
Ground Clearance Max
-
186 mm
Ground Clearance Min
-
186 mm
Spec
Baleno
RAV4
Tyre Size
195/60 R16
R:235-50R20 Alloy
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated Disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Space-saver spare wheel
Space Saver 165-90D18 Steel F:235-50R20 Alloy-
Wheel Rim Size
16
R:235-50R20 Alloy
Handbrake Type
Manual parking brake
Electric
Spec
Baleno
RAV4
Front Suspension
MacPherson strut
Tread (mm) 1620
Rear Suspension
Torsion beam
Tread (mm) 1650
Front Track Width
-
1620 mm
Rear Track Width
-
1650 mm
Spec
Baleno
RAV4
CO2 Emissions
145 g/km
107 g/km
Spec
Baleno
RAV4
Service Plan
5 Years / 90000 km
6 Services / 90 000 km
Service Interval
-
12 months / 15 000 km
Battery Warranty
-
8 years 160 000 km
Spec
Baleno
RAV4
Ownership Role
Suzuki ownership programme
Private and family
Price Zar
312500 ZAR
941800 ZAR
Pricing Role
Hagalu Research Team price estimate
Flagship
Starting Price
312500
941800
Starting Price Zar
312500
941800
Spec
Baleno
RAV4
Warranty
5 Years / 200000 km
3 years / 100 000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This Baleno and RAV4 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 RAV4 56.
Efficiency index: Baleno 62 vs RAV4 84.
Safety-equipment index: Baleno 87 vs RAV4 94.
Practicality index: Baleno 50 vs RAV4 68.
Ownership-cover index: Baleno not separately scored vs RAV4 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 RAV4 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
RAV4 leads by 18 points
RAV4 holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Baleno.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
RAV4
Performance
56/100
Efficiency
84/100
Safety
94/100
Practicality
68/100
Baleno
Performance
34/100
Efficiency
62/100
Safety
87/100
Practicality
50/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexToyota RAV4
leads the specification evidence index with 75 pts
vs 57 pts for Baleno
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, RAV4 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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