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.
Baleno has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Celerio remains close.
Celerio starts ZAR 81,000 cheaperBaleno from ZAR 269,900 · Celerio from ZAR 188,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
Baleno
Celerio
Maximum Power
Baleno77 kW
Celerio49 kW
Maximum Torque
Baleno138 Nm
Celerio89 Nm
Engine Size
Baleno1462 cc
Celerio998 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
Baleno16.1 km/l
Celerio18.2 km/l
Ground Clearance
Baleno0 mm
Celerio0 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)
Specification evidence leader
Baleno
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
Celerio
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
Baleno
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Celerio
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
Baleno
Celerio
Model Introduced Year
2026
2026
Generation
Current market generation
Current market generation
Facelift History
Current market specification
Current market specification
Facelift Launched Since
2026
2026
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Hatchback
Hatchback
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
active
Segment
Hatchback
Hatchback
Vehicle Type
Hatchback
Hatchback
Spec
Baleno
Celerio
Length
3990 mm
3695 mm
Width
1745 mm
1655 mm
Height
1500 mm
1555 mm
Wheelbase
2520 mm
2435 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
0 mm
0 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
150 mm
150 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
37 l
32 l
Boot/Cargo Space
318 l
295 l
Kerb Weight
940 kg
825 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1700 kg
1260 kg
Payload Capacity
760 kg
435 kg
Towing Capacity
500 kg
500 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
5.2 m
Front Headroom
1000 mm
1000 mm
Rear Headroom
950 mm
950 mm
Front Legroom
1050 mm
1050 mm
Rear Legroom
900 mm
900 mm
Spec
Baleno
Celerio
Engine
1.5-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol
1.0-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol
Engine Code
K15B/K15C
K10C
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1462 cc
998 cc
Cylinders
4
3
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
16
12
Valves per Cylinder
4
4
Aspiration
Naturally Aspirated
Naturally Aspirated
Fuel System
Multi-point fuel injection
Multi-point fuel injection
Compression Ratio
12.0:1
12.0:1
Bore
73.0 mm
73.0 mm
Stroke
85.0 mm
85.0 mm
Maximum Power
77 kW
49 kW
Maximum Torque
138 Nm
89 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
Not Officially Disclosed
Transmission
4-Speed Automatic
5-Speed AMT
Top Speed
170 km/h
170 km/h
0-100 km/h
9.5 sec
12.0 sec
Quarter Mile
16.5 sec
18.0 sec
Drive Modes
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Launch Control
No
No
Rev Limiter
6500 rpm
6500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio
81.9 kW/tonne
59.4 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
146.8 Nm/tonne
107.9 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
Celerio
Gearbox
4-speed automatic
5-speed automated manual
Drivetrain Layout
2WD
2WD
LSD Available
No
No
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
No
No
Paddle Shifters
No
No
Final Drive Ratio
4.3
4.3
Number of Gears
4
5
Transmission Type
4-speed automatic
5-speed automated manual
Clutch Type
Torque converter / CVT
Dry single-plate clutch
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Yes
Gear Shift Type
Floor-mounted selector
Floor-mounted selector
Drivetrain
2WD
2WD
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
No
No
Front Differential Lock
No
No
Gearbox Type
4-speed automatic
5-speed automated manual
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Front driven axle
Front driven axle
Rear Differential Lock
No
No
Transmission Speeds
4
5
Spec
Baleno
Celerio
Claimed Mileage
16.1 km/l
18.2 km/l
City Mileage
16.0 km/l
16.0 km/l
Highway Mileage
19.0 km/l
19.0 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
37 l
32 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6 equivalent
Euro 6 equivalent
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Yes
Yes
Real-world Mileage
16.1 km/l
18.2 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
37
32
Combined Driving Range
700
700
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
650 km
650 km
Range Real World Mixed
600 km
600 km
Spec
Baleno
Celerio
Airbags
6
6
ABS
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electronic Stability Control
Yes
Yes
Traction Control
Yes
Yes
Hill Descent Control
No
No
Hill Start Assist
Yes
Yes
Child Safety Lock
Yes
Yes
ISOFIX Mounts
Yes
Yes
Brake Assist
Yes
Yes
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Yes
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Yes
Yes
Front Parking Sensors
Yes
No
AEB
Yes
No
BA
Yes
Yes
Brake Override System
Yes
Yes
Curtain Airbags
Yes
No
Driver Airbag
Yes
Yes
EBD
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Yes
Hill Hold
Yes
Yes
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
No
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
Yes
Seatbelt Reminder
Yes
Yes
Side Airbags
Yes
No
Stability Control
Yes
Yes
TCS
Yes
Yes
Knee Airbag
No
No
ABS EBD
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
Baleno
Celerio
Cruise Control
Adaptive cruise control
Cruise control
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
No
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
No
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
No
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
No
Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Rear
Rear View Camera
Yes
Yes
360 Degree Camera
Yes
No
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Yes
No
Driver Fatigue Alert
Yes
No
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
No
Auto Highbeam
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Wipers
Yes
Yes
Rear Parking Sensors
Yes
Yes
Reverse Camera
Yes
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
No
Park Assist
Yes
No
Around View Monitor
Yes
No
Blind Spot Warning
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Forward Collision Warning
Yes
No
Spec
Baleno
Celerio
Seat Material
Fabric upholstery
Fabric upholstery
Heated Seats
No
No
Ventilated Seats
No
No
Ambient Lighting
No
No
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
Urethane
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
Yes
Driver Seat Adjustment
Manual adjustment
Manual adjustment
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Manual adjustment
Manual adjustment
Seat Trim
Fabric upholstery
Fabric upholstery
Spec
Baleno
Celerio
Climate Control
Automatic climate control
Manual air conditioning
Power Windows
Yes
Yes
Keyless Entry
Yes
Yes
Push Button Start
Yes
Yes
Wireless Charging
Yes
No
Sunroof
No
No
Electric Tailgate
No
No
Rain Sensing Wipers
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Type
Automatic climate control
Manual air conditioning
Spec
Baleno
Celerio
Infotainment System
Touchscreen infotainment system
Touchscreen infotainment system
Apple CarPlay
Apple CarPlay
Apple CarPlay
Android Auto
Android Auto
Android Auto
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Yes
Number of Speakers
6
4
Digital Instrument Cluster
Digital instrument display
Analogue instrument cluster with multi-information display
USB Ports
USB-A / USB-C
USB-A / USB-C
Infotainment Screen
9
7
Touchscreen
9
7
Spec
Baleno
Celerio
LED Headlamps
Yes
No
Daytime Running Lamps
LED
LED
Fog Lamps
Yes
No
Roof Rails
No
No
Exterior Colour Options
Multiple Suzuki factory exterior colours
Multiple Suzuki factory exterior colours
Headlights
Yes
No
Panoramic Sunroof
No
No
Spec
Baleno
Celerio
Approach Angle
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Departure Angle
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Locking Differential
No
No
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
Baleno
Celerio
Tyre Size
195/60 R16
195/60 R16
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Drum
Spare Wheel Type
Space-saver spare wheel
Space-saver spare wheel
Wheel Rim Size
16
16
Handbrake Type
Manual parking brake
Manual parking brake
Spec
Baleno
Celerio
Front Suspension
MacPherson strut
MacPherson strut
Rear Suspension
Torsion beam
Torsion beam
Spec
Baleno
Celerio
CO2 Emissions
145 g/km
125 g/km
Spec
Baleno
Celerio
Service Plan
5 Years / 90000 km
5 Years / 90000 km
Spec
Baleno
Celerio
Ownership Role
Suzuki ownership programme
Suzuki ownership programme
Price Zar
312500 ZAR
250000 ZAR
Pricing Role
Hagalu Research Team price estimate
Hagalu Research Team price estimate
Starting Price
312500
250000
Starting Price Zar
312500
250000
Spec
Baleno
Celerio
Warranty
5 Years / 200000 km
5 Years / 200000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This Baleno and Celerio 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 Celerio 20.
Efficiency index: Baleno 62 vs Celerio 69.
Safety-equipment index: Baleno 87 vs Celerio 67.
Practicality index: Baleno 50 vs Celerio 43.
Ownership-cover index: Baleno not separately scored vs Celerio 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 Celerio 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
Baleno leads by 9 points
Baleno has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Celerio remains close.
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
Baleno
Performance
34/100
Efficiency
62/100
Safety
87/100
Practicality
50/100
Celerio
Performance
20/100
Efficiency
69/100
Safety
67/100
Practicality
43/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexSuzuki Baleno
leads the specification evidence index with 57 pts
vs 48 pts for Celerio
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Baleno leads. However, Celerio 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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