Toyota Glanza: Closer home in India, hatchbacks overflow. But it’s rare they walk in with a combination of Japanese reliability and premium features and hassle free ownership offered by the Toyota Glanza.
Developed with Maruti Suzuki, it is based on the Baleno and seeks to provide a similarly good product with Toyota’s backing in terms of brand trust, warranty support and understated cosmetic updates.
Designed for urban families and young professionals, the Glanza combines the efficiency of a city car with the premium feel and spaciousness of a premium vehicle – and in doing so, is a very competent all-rounder for the Indian roads.
What You See: Old And New On The Outside
Beneath the surface, the Glanza is nearly identical in its look to the Maruti Baleno—but not exactly. The front grille carries Toyota’s signature look, but with a slightly zestier hint of chrome.
The car looks contemporary and premium with its LED projector headlamps, DRLs and sporty-looking alloy wheels.
The rear looks neat with LED tail lamps and a chrome garnish on the boot.
Though it doesn’t turn heads, the Glanza has a sophisticated and sharp look, one that will appeal to those who lean towards classy over flashy.
Interiors and Comfort
Slide into the Toyota Glanza, and you’re met with a well laid-out, premium-feeling cabin. The dual-tone dashboard, plastic quality and silver insets all give a premium feel.
The space is generous too, especially in the context of a hatchback, with plenty of legroom at the front and back and good amounts of headroom.
Important interior features include:
up to 9 inches in top trims) on the there’s a big enough touchscreen infotainment system (actually 7 inches standard, but in there.
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, @{@”Android Auto”:”true”,”Apple CarPlay”:”true”}
Rear AC vents
Mounted controls can be used atop the flat-bottom steering wheel
Height-adjustable driver seat
60/40 split fold-down rear seats
Push-button start with auto-climate-control
The boot space is a good 318 litres, ideal for every weekend’s bags and daily wear and tear.
Engine and Performance
The Glanza is a result of a partnership between Toyota and Maruti Suzuki, and comes with a 1.2-litre, 4-cyinder petrol engine making 89 bhp and and 113 Nm of torque.
This engine is specifically tuned for everyday city driving — af smooth, quiet and extremely fuel efficient. It comes with either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT automatic transmission.
Was built for any sort of high-speed thrills, the Glanza is quite comfortable in the city and on the open road to 100-110 km/h while offering a well-sorted suspension that handles the irregularities quite well and doesn’t feel loose or wallowy.
On the good side, fuel economy is simply outstanding in real world with numbers varying from 18 kpl to as high as 22 kpl depending on your driving habits and traffic.
Safety
Safety Informs DesignThe Toyota Glanza does not compromise on safety. Key safety features include:
Six airbags (top variants)
ABS with EBD
Although ”ESC (Electronic Stability Control)” above.
Hill-hold assist
Camera and Rear sensors for parking
ISOFIX child seat mounts
And, there is also Toyota’s long running warranty package — 3 years/1 lakh km as standard, which can be stretched to 5 years — for added peace of mind.
Pros:
Toyota Is Reliable, Not The Most Fun To Drive, But Has The Better Coverage For The Warranty
Spunky and efficient petrol power unit
Relatively luxuriously appointed and roomy cabin
Tamed for the real world
Loaded with contemporary tech and safety goodies
Premium design combined with an understated look
Cons:
No diesel or turbo-petrol on offer
AMT feels sluggish while rapid driving
Few advanced features available on lower trims
Few exterior changes from Baleno
Performance not performance-oriented—tuned more for comfort
Toyota Glanza: Conclusion
The Toyota Glanza is a sensible, eminently logical choice for those looking to purchase a premium hatchback that is hassle-free, pocket-friendly, easy to live with, and from a trusted brand.
Based on the same platform as the Baleno, Toyota’s superior warranty backing and brand reliability offer a point of difference.
For urbanites or small families who are looking for a practical, no-fuss, convenient and reliable hatchback, the Glanza is a smart and forward-looking option to consider.