Toyota Glanza Pros And Cons: A Must-Read Before You Buy!

Toyota Glanza is the badge-engineered Maruti Baleno, but with a twist. While you get the same set of features and powertrain options, it evidently differentiated in design, as well as some other key areas as well. Stay with us as we explain its top pros and cons that you need to know before you make up your mind. For more such interesting and detailed insights, don't forget to join our 91Wheels Whatsapp Channel, specifically curated for all the avid petrolheads with extensive coverage of the latest news and insights from the automotive space.

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1. Rich Heritage But Gives You An Alternative

Being a badge-engineered Maruti Baleno, the Toyota Glanza gives you the same car, but with its unique and differentiating styling elements when compared to the Baleno hatch. You get a new front grille with the Toyota logo and a restyled lower bumper with chrome inserts, giving it a more pleasing look. If you want a Baleno, but stand out from the crowd at the same time, Glanza is the way to go.

2. Enough Features To Sail It

The Toyota Glanza's cabin is a tech fest as you get all the bells and whistles that make your drive, a pleasant experience. In terms of features, you get a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen, Heads-up Display, 360-degree camera, Automatic climate control, rear AC vents, 6 airbags, all power windows, LED projector headlamps, and much more. It exudes a premium cabin feel and asserts it's position as a premium hatchback.

3. Factory-Fitted CNG

The Toyota Glanza, like the Baleno, comes with a factory-fitted CNG option, which is a big plus for those looking for extra economy and lower running costs in a premium hatchback. With a claimed fuel efficiency of 30.1 km/kg, it offers an excellent alternative for eco-conscious buyers. However, you can only opt for a CNG with Manual transmission and with only the S and G mid-variants. You do not get it with the base E and the top-spec V trim.

4. Excellent Fuel Economy

With a claimed fuel efficiency of 22.94 kmpl for its AMT models and 22.35 kmpl for its MT gearbox, the Glanza comes out as one of the cars with mileage exceeding the 22 kmpl mark. It comes with the same 1.2L K-Series petrol engine as Baleno and as a result, offers the same fuel economy.

Cons

1. No Turbo Petrol Option

While there is no diesel available in the segment except for the Tata Altroz, the Toyota Glanza misses out on a turbo-petrol engine as well. This comes as a big omission considering the fact that the i20 and the Tata Altroz offer a turbo petrol mill, albeit with their special performance editions. This is something that could have been offered with the Glanza.

Also Read- Maruti Baleno: This Is What Each Variant Has To Offer!

2. Could Have Offered More Features; No 6 Airbags As Standard

When compared to its rivals, it misses out on a few feel-good features like a TPMS, an electric sunroof, an air purifier, and a rear armrest. Don't get me wrong, it comes with enough bling in isolation, but comparing it, makes me wanting for something more. Another miss that the Glanza suffers is the toned-down airbags number. You get dual airbags for the entry-level 2 variants whereas the 6-airbag setup is reserved from the G variant onwards, which happens to be the second-to-top trim, just below the V variant. This is something that the Glanza or the Baleno, for that matter, should have offered as standard.

3. Limited Service Network

While you may see an alternative for Baleno in the Glanza, but suffers a big drawback when compared to its Maruti twin. It is the limited availability of dealerships and service points. The Maruti Suzuki service center has a last mile connectivity with a presence in all the Tier 1,2 and 3 cities in a wide network, the Toyota dealerships are quite limited when compared with the Maruti. This is a big deterrent to the mass acceptance of this very efficient and value-for-money premium hatch.

4. AMT Lacks Refinement

Earlier versions of the Maruti Baleno were equipped with a CVT, but the latest model has transitioned to a less advanced AMT gearbox. This change has also affected the Toyota Glanza, which now also features the AMT, limiting its appeal in the segment. In contrast, the Tata Altroz provides a more sophisticated DCT gearbox, while the i20 currently comes with an IVT option.