It’s easy to mistake the Toyota Glanza for a Maruti Baleno, because the grille and badges are really the only points of difference between th...
It’s easy to mistake the Toyota Glanza for a Maruti Baleno, because the grille and badges are really the only points of difference between the two hatchbacks on the outside. There’s little to tell the two cars apart on the inside either. Unfortunately, this also means that cabin quality is fairly mediocre by class standards. What you will like the Glanza’s interior for is the sheer space on offer. The large boot also ups the car’s practicality quotient.
The Toyota Glanza shares its petrol engines with the Maruti Suzuki Baleno and, unsurprisingly, the driving experience is also the same. The standard 83hp, 1.2-litre petrol engine is peppy, refined and efficient, and the 5-speed manual gearbox is also nice to use. City dwellers will find a good combination of efficiency and convenience in the CVT automatic variant. Interestingly, the 90hp Glanza mild-hybrid is significantly cheaper than the equivalent Baleno. The hybrid version’s promise of enhanced performance and economy should be a big draw for buyers.
Like the Baleno, the Glanza’s ride and handling are fine. The controls are light but the steering’s lack of adequate self-centring takes getting used to.