Those who have been waiting to purchase a Baleno but with a Toyota badge and those who just couldn’t queue-up in the long waiting list of Maruti Suzuki’s premium hatchback, have now got a solution. Meet the Toyota Glanza! With prices starting from Rs 7.22 lakh and going all the way up to Rs 8.90 lakh, it is every-bit Maruti Suzuki Baleno as it looks. However, there are a few differences which, when considered collectively, can make or break deals. Before we talk about them, let’s look at the complete introductory price list (ex-showroom Delhi):

• 1.2L Mild-Hybrid G MT – Rs 7,21,900
• 1.2L V MT – Rs 7,58,200
• 1.2L G CVT – Rs 8,29,900
• 1.2L V CVT – Rs 8,90,200

You might have noticed two things from the price list. One, there are no diesel-fed variants and two, the list is short and simple. The Toyota Glanza borrows both BSVI-compliant (Bharat Stage VI) petrol engines from the Maruti Suzuki Baleno. Both displace 1.2 litres of fuel but where the one with mild-hybrid tech puts out 90PS and is available only with a 5-speed MT, the one without has 83PS on tap and can be had with either a 5-speed MT or a CVT. The maximum torque on offer from both engines is rated at 113Nm. Given below are the mileage figures:

• G MT – 23.87kmpl
• V MT – 21.01kmpl
• G CVT & V CVT – 19.56kmpl

No points for guessing – all those performance figures are identical to those of the Baleno. Another noteworthy aspect is how Glanza’s G and V trims measure-up neatly with Baleno’s Zeta and Alpha trim levels, respectively. That explains why the former’s starting price is way higher than the latter. What’s good though that even if you opt for the entry-level Glanza, it will come with features like 16-inch alloy wheels, LED projector headlamps, a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, coloured TFT MID, multifunction steering wheel with tilt and telescopic adjustment, automatic climate control, and electrically adjustable and foldable ORVMs with auto fold function.

If you opt for the V trim, the list of features expands with the inclusion of a rear-view camera, UV-cut protective glass, follow-me-home/lead-to-car headlamps, auto headlamps and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. On the safety front, all trim levels come with dual airbags, ABS with EBD and BA, front fog lamps, rear defogger, wiper and washer, an automatic IRVM, front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters, rear parking sensors and high-speed warning alert. The Glanza is being offered in five colours – White, Red, Blue, Grey and Silver – and, by default, it comes with a 3 years/1,00,000km warranty. The Baleno, for the record, comes with a standard cover of 2 years/40,000km.

So, there you have it. The Glanza is, no doubt, a fierce Baleno rival. In addition, it will also try and lure customers away from the Honda Jazz, Volkswagen Polo and the Hyundai Elite i20. In a few weeks, the segment will receive another contender in the form of the Tata Altroz.