The range-topping Alpha(O) AMT's technology was tested over a 100 km highway-biased drive on NH48 near Bengaluru to assess how the new features perform beyond the specification sheet.
The 9-inch SmartPlay Pro+ touchscreen has a 1280x720 resolution and retains the software experience familiar to Maruti buyers. It responds quickly, shows no noticeable lag while switching between menus and remains legible in direct sunlight. Viewing angles also remain effective from typical seating positions.
However, the interface itself has not changed. Maruti has not used the facelift to reskin or modernise the underlying software, meaning existing Maruti owners will find it familiar, while buyers expecting a refreshed user interface alongside the new hardware may be disappointed.
Smartphone connectivity is comprehensive, with both wired and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay supported. Both connected reliably and consistently throughout the drive, matching what is typically expected from Maruti's newer infotainment units.
The onboard "Hi Suzuki" voice assistant can be activated through the steering wheel button or a dedicated touchscreen button. It functions correctly without serious lag but requires a brief pause before responding and does not offer the instant, natural-language experience associated with phone-based assistants.
The feature is therefore more practical than a showcase function. Maruti's own documentation has historically described the onboard assistant as handling a limited number of basic functions, while more comprehensive commands, including remote AC start, are routed through the Suzuki Connect app and Alexa integration. Neither of those systems was within the scope of what could be verified during the drive.
Suzuki Connect, Maruti's app-based telematics suite, includes geo-fencing, vehicle tracking, remote AC start on automatic variants, diagnostics and around 40 connected features according to Maruti's own count. The system was not directly tested during this drive. Its expected functionality is based on consistent behaviour of the same system across other recent Maruti and NEXA models, rather than first-hand verification on this specific car, and should therefore be treated as an assumption until independently confirmed.
The upgraded Clarion sound system is among the technology changes that produces a noticeable difference. On the tested Alpha(O) trim, the setup comprises four speakers and two tweeters. It delivers greater liveliness and stronger bass presence than previous Baleno systems, earning a solid, though not class-leading, 7 out of 10 for overall sound quality. It does not match a proper premium audio system, but represents a genuine upgrade for the segment.
The actively cooled wireless charging pad is another practical addition, particularly because smartphones can generate considerable heat while simultaneously running navigation and Android Auto or Apple CarPlay on a hot day. USB charging ports remain standard Maruti equipment, consistent with the brand's recent line-up, without offering anything specifically distinctive here.
The Head-Up Display has well-judged brightness levels for daylight driving and offers manual adjustment. The feature also displays a green indicator when the ADAS suite is actively engaged, providing a clear confirmation without distracting the driver.
The instrument cluster continues with the part-analogue, part-digital layout carried over from the outgoing car. It remains functional but trails rivals that have adopted fully digital clusters on their top variants.
The strongest part of the Baleno facelift's technology package is its ADAS system. Lane Keep Assist and Lane Departure Warning work together, while the sensor-driven steering feedback from Lane Keep Assist felt well judged during the drive. Instead of fighting the driver, the system provides a nudge when intervention is required.
Adaptive Cruise Control also performed reliably throughout the drive, maintaining safe following distances without unexpected behaviour.
However, there is no option to adjust the intensity of these systems. Drivers receive Maruti's single calibration, with no user-configurable sensitivity settings. This may not suit every driver, particularly those who find continuous lane-keep intervention intrusive during long drives.
The 360-degree camera is functional but does not stand out. Its resolution and image clarity are adequate rather than impressive, leaving room for improvement compared with what some rivals now offer. The reverse camera performs better, with precise and dependable guideline accuracy during parking manoeuvres, making it one of the more reliable camera features on the car even though the wider 360-degree system is less impressive.
Judged purely on technology, the Baleno facelift's ADAS calibration is its strongest asset. The combination of Lane Keep Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control works effectively together on Indian roads, while the Clarion audio upgrade and actively cooled wireless charging pad provide noticeable improvements to everyday usability.
The facelift is less comprehensive in areas Maruti has left unchanged. The infotainment software remains the same, the instrument cluster continues with its hybrid analogue-digital layout as fully digital clusters become more common, the 360-degree camera offers only adequate resolution and the ADAS settings cannot be adjusted to reduce intervention intensity.
The biggest caveat is availability. Every major technology feature beyond the touchscreen and audio system is restricted to the range-topping Alpha(O) trim. For buyers specifically seeking the Baleno facelift's ADAS suite or HUD, that leaves only one variant to consider, while the rest of the range does not receive the update's most prominent technology additions.
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