Toyota Glanza: Toyota finally gave the Glanza a much-needed refresh last month, and I’ve spent two weeks putting it through its paces. The redesigned front fascia looks sharper than before, with those new LED DRLs catching eyes at traffic lights. It’s still obviously a rebadged Maruti Baleno at heart, but Toyota’s designers have done enough to give it a distinct identity – at least from the front. The rear remains practically unchanged though, which feels like a missed opportunity. Inside, the new floating touchscreen looks cleaner than the previous integrated unit, but the piano black surrounds are absolute dust and fingerprint magnets. I’ve cleaned mine three times this week alone, and it still looks like it’s been handled by a toddler with sticky fingers. The new seat fabric feels more premium, though I wonder how it’ll hold up to the abuse of daily use and the occasional coffee spill.
Toyota Glanza Powertrain: The Same 1.2L Engine That Refuses to Excite
Pop the hood and you’ll find the familiar 1.2-liter naturally aspirated petrol engine producing a modest 89 bhp. It’s adequate for city driving but struggles when fully loaded with passengers and luggage on inclines. Highway overtaking requires serious planning and a prayer that the car ahead doesn’t suddenly speed up. The 5-speed manual gearbox offers precise shifts with short throws, making the daily commute less tedious. The AMT version I tested suffers from the typical head-nodding effect during gear changes, though it’s less pronounced than earlier iterations. Fuel efficiency remains the Glanza’s strong suit – I consistently managed 16.5 km/l in mixed driving conditions, dropping to around 14 km/l in bumper-to-bumper traffic with the AC blasting. Toyota still hasn’t offered the strong hybrid system from their pricier models, which seems like a missed opportunity given rising fuel prices.
Ride and Handling: Comfort Over Sportiness, For Better or Worse
The suspension setup prioritizes comfort over handling, soaking up potholes and road imperfections admirably for a car in this segment. Speed breakers that would have passengers hitting their heads in competitor vehicles are dispatched with minimal fuss in the Glanza. The flip side is noticeable body roll when pushing through corners, with the 185-section tires giving up grip earlier than you’d expect. Steering feel is typically electric-assist light, with minimal feedback from the road surface. Perfect for navigating tight parking spots and city traffic, less ideal for enthusiastic driving on winding roads. Road noise isolation has improved with this update – highway cruising at 100 km/h is noticeably quieter than before, though still not class-leading. The brakes do their job without drama, though I noticed some fade after repeatedly coming down a mountain pass.
Features and Tech: Finally Catching Up With The Competition
The 9-inch touchscreen is responsive and supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay – a genuine convenience I didn’t know I needed until experiencing it. The 6-speaker Arkamys audio system delivers surprisingly punchy sound for a car in this segment, though audiophiles will still want aftermarket upgrades. The 360-degree camera system is a welcome addition, though resolution could be better – parking in tight spots still requires some guesswork. The head-up display feels gimmicky at first but becomes genuinely useful for keeping eyes on the road while checking speed. Climate control now has rear AC vents, addressing a major complaint with previous models. The connected car tech works reliably for basic functions like remote AC start and location tracking, though the app itself feels clunky and occasionally crashes on my phone.
Safety Features: Much Improved, But Still Room for Growth
Six airbags now come standard across all variants, a welcome change in a segment where manufacturers often skimp on safety to cut costs. The electronic stability program intervenes noticeably when pushing hard through corners or on slippery roads, potentially preventing nasty accidents. ABS with EBD works as expected, though the pedal feel could provide better feedback during emergency stops. ISOFIX child seat anchors are present and easily accessible without digging through seat cushions. The TECT platform (inherited from Maruti) has proven reasonably safe in Global NCAP tests, though it doesn’t match the structural rigidity of European competitors. Hill hold assist in the automatic variant prevents that heart-stopping rollback moment on inclines, particularly useful for new drivers.
Value Proposition: Toyota Premium or Overpriced Maruti?
The Glanza commands a 5-8% price premium over its Maruti Baleno twin, raising the obvious question – is the Toyota badge worth the extra cash? The extended warranty package (3 years/100,000 km standard) partially justifies the premium, along with Toyota’s renowned service experience. Waiting periods are significantly shorter for the Glanza compared to the perpetually backlogged Baleno, which might sway impatient buyers. Resale value typically favors Toyota, though the gap has narrowed as consumers become more aware of the rebadging arrangement. The sweet spot in the lineup remains the mid-spec V variant, offering most essential features without breaking the bank. The top-end S variant adds nice-to-haves like a head-up display and 360-degree camera, but the ₹1.3 lakh premium feels steep for features you’ll rarely use.
Toyota Glanza Ownership Experience: The Real Toyota Advantage
After speaking with several long-term Glanza owners, the service experience emerges as the defining advantage over its Maruti twin. Toyota service centers typically offer better customer experience, more transparent billing, and fewer instances of unnecessary part replacements. Spare parts cost marginally more than Maruti equivalents but aren’t prohibitively expensive. Scheduled maintenance costs average around ₹5,000-6,000 per service for the first three years, comparable to segment standards. Reliability has been stellar according to owner forums, with few major mechanical issues reported even in high-mileage examples. The occasional electrical gremlins affect the infotainment system, though software updates have addressed most issues. For buyers planning to keep their cars beyond the typical 5-year ownership period, the Toyota badge and service network might justify the premium over its mechanically identical Suzuki cousin.