Toyota Glanza

The Glanza is the Maruti Suzuki Baleno’s twin-brother from Toyota. While it looks slightly different it is identical to the Baleno when it comes to its ride comfort, performance, space, practicality, features and reliability. 

I have driven the Glanza extensively and its updated rivals such as the new Tata Altroz and the Hyundai i20 as well. Here’s how its simple and reliable approach stacks up against the competition.

The Glanza has an elegant look which is simple enough to appeal to a wide audience and upmarket enough to make people feel good about their purchase. It also has a slightly sporty front end thanks to the aggressive bumper.

Its side profile has a rather simple look which doesn’t carry any unnecessary cuts and curves, giving the hatchback a more sober look, further complemented by the 16-inch dual-tone alloy wheels. Lower variants of the Glanza come with 15-inch steel wheels, while the top-end variants get the same alloy wheels.

The rear profile brings back the premium quotient with LED tail lamps. The hatchback also gets a rear spoiler and more chrome elements which completes the design.

I like the lighting elements that are common on both front and rear profiles, and the subtle chrome touches that complement the design well. However, seeing how the Altroz has become more modern-looking, I’d like to see Toyota update this design soon to keep up with the competition.

As far as the build quality is concerned, panel gaps remain consistent throughout. The doors feel solid, and nothing feels out of place. That said, the Altroz does have a greater sense of heft when you operate its doors.

Toyota offers it in 5 shades: Insta Blue, Gaming Grey, Cafe White, Enticing Silver and Sportin Red. My favourite pick would be Insta Blue.

Design & Quality

Getting inside the Glanza is very easy, especially at the front, due to its wide opening doors and seats placed at a neutral height. However, at the back, the roof line slopes a little, requiring you to duck down for ingress. This will not be an issue for young people, but will definitely be one for the elderly.

As soon as you sit inside, you see a black and beige cabin, which looks nicer than the blue and beige finish you get in the Baleno. These colours, in contrast with the glossy black trims and chrome accents on the AC vents, bring a sense of airiness to the Glanza’s cabin, especially when compared with the Baleno. Maintaining that lighter shade of beige will require some effort and caution, though. 

The cabin doesn't compromise on quality. Soft-touch leatherette materials are used on all the natural touchpoints, including the centre armrest and door panels. And even though the dashboard plastics are hard, they get a textured finish and don’t feel cheap to the touch. 

One slight letdown is the central panel on the doors, which could have been improved in terms of quality, but overall, the Glanza boasts good fit and finish all around, providing a premium feel.

Front Seats

The Glanza gets a height adjustable driver seat in the higher G and V variants, and the steering wheel in these two variants gets both tilt and telescopic adjustment. Finding your ideal driving position is very easy. But I wish Toyota had offered height adjustment for the driver seat in the lower variants as well.  

The front seats have a good amount of cushioning which is neither too soft nor too hard, that makes them good for both short and long journeys. These seats offer a good amount of space for tall passengers and the underthigh support is also adequate. An average-sized adult will have no issue sitting comfortably here. The footwell also has enough space for you to easily keep your legs. You also get a front armrest which adds comfort on long journeys.

From the driver seat, you don’t get a very commanding view of the road ahead, but there are no major blind spots that can hamper your overall visibility, making it suitable for newer drivers. 

Rear Seats

The rear passengers get good headroom, legroom and knee room, and the underthigh support is adequate too. The cushioning of these seats is the same as the front, and are pretty comfortable even for longer journeys. 

Here, the space is enough for three average-sized adults and all passengers have some shoulder room. The middle passenger doesn’t get the same amount of comfort as the outboard occupants as the seat back protrudes outwards, which makes them sit upright.

There is also no headrest for the middle passenger which is likely to make long journeys tiring. Also, the absence of a centre armrest is an avoidable miss, considering its price and its segment.

The big rear windows do provide good outside visibility. However, the front headrests are huge, resulting in a compromised frontal visibility. 

Storage Options

The Glanza doesn't skimp on storage spaces. All four doors have pockets for 1-litre bottles and additional horizontal space. In front of the gear lever, you'll find two cup holders, and beyond that, there's room for items like a wallet or a phone. 

The central console also holds storage space beneath the center armrest, good enough for a wallet or a sunglass case. The size of the glove box compartment is good and you also get pockets behind the passenger seat that can hold magazines and newspapers. Last, but not the least, you also get a small space near the steering wheel, suitable for keeping your wallet or spare change.

Charging Options

Even the charging options are plenty, with a 12V socket and a USB port for the front passengers and a USB-C and a USB-type socket for the rear ones. However, a USB-C port is missing for the front passengers (Sorry, new Apple users!)

Features

The feature package of the Glanza is not as extensive as its rivals, but there are enough features to get you through your regular commutes. Here are its basic everyday features:

We’ve established that the Glanza’s cabin has a premium feel to it, but a lot of that premiumness is also owed to the features on offer. Equipment like a heads-up display and a 360-degree camera, which it shares with the Maruti Baleno, were a segment-first when it was launched. 

It packs a 9-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It has a crisp display and a user-friendly interface. Even the integration of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is smooth and user-friendly, but the connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is still wired. Considering that the Baleno offers wireless functionality now, Toyota could also make this feature available in the Glanza via a simple software update.

The driver gets a semi-digital multi-information display (MID) with analogue dials. And while the display may be small, it provides essential information, such as trip details and average fuel efficiency. The list of features for the top-spec model also includes auto IRVM, remote keyless entry, automatic climate control with rear AC vents, cruise control and auto-folding ORVMs.

Overall, the Glanza's feature list is quite comprehensive. But still, in comparison to the competition, there are a few missing features, such as a digital instrument cluster, wireless phone charging, a cooled glovebox, leatherette seat upholstery, and a sunroof. While a few of  these might be discretionary, the presence of some of these additional features would surely have elevated the Glanza’s cabin experience.

In the top-spec variant, the Glanza is well-equipped with safety features, including six airbags (which come as standard as of July 2025), electronic stability control, hill hold assist, and a 360-degree camera with reverse parking sensors. Toyota had also introduced a three-point seat belt for Glanza’s middle rear passenger recently. 

Bharat NCAP crash tested the Baleno in 2025 where it scored 4/5 stars for adult occupant protection and 3/5 stars for child occupant protection.

The Toyota Glanza offers an on-paper storage space of 318 litres in its trunk. Now this isn’t the biggest in the segment, but it will accommodate a full set of luggage, including three different (small, medium, and large-sized) suitcases. So, your family's weekend getaway essentials will fit comfortably, and for additional space, you can fold down the rear seats.

But loading and unloading items may require some additional effort due to the high loading lip and deep boot base. 

Just like the Baleno, the Toyota Glanza comes with a sole 90PS/113Nm 1.2-litre naturally aspirated (NA) petrol engine, which is available with either a 5-speed manual or an AMT gearbox. There’s also a CNG kit on offer. 

And while it may offer fewer engine options than its competitors, this engine is no slouch and won’t actually leave you wanting for another option. It's impressively refined, and responsive. 

1.2-litre Petrol

This engine is well refined which means vibrations are kept in check and you won’t feel much of them inside the cabin. It is barely audible too, which makes for a relaxed driving experience. In fact, even when you’re pushing the car to higher rpms, the soundtrack is quite enjoyable and not jarring. Let’s take a look at how the engine fares in everyday driving scenarios.

City Performance

Inside the city, the Glanza is quick and it progressively gains speed. You can easily overtake others around you and won’t have to wait for the power. In heavy traffic, it crawls effortlessly and cruising around just 2nd or 3rd gear is easy as the engine does not feel stressed.

You get a light clutch with the manual and gears slot into place swiftly. The AMT adds a layer of convenience too, although it isn’t as smooth as a CVT. Gear changes aren’t jerky but they are noticeable and the core benefit of this transmission is to just make daily commutes easier. Under normal driving conditions, you can get a fuel efficiency of around 16-17kmpl in the city.

Highway Performance

On the highway, the Glanza is quick till 80kmph, but from 80 to a 100kmph, the acceleration becomes slow. At cruising speeds, overtakes won’t be an issue, but beyond the speed of 80 kmph, overtakes will require some planning.

But while this engine does feel a little slow, it never feels stressed, not even during hard acceleration. If you want to enjoy your drives, we’d recommend the manual, as the AMT feels slower at high speeds. 

On the upside, this engine will give you a fuel efficiency of around 18-20kmpl on the highways, and even more if you’re just cruising at 80 to 90 kmph.

Note: Glanza CNG 

With the CNG powertrain, your city drive experience remains similar. There will be enough power for quick overtakes, and enough low end torque to effortlessly tackle bumper-to-bumper traffic. However, the engine does become a little loud and it can feel stressed under hard acceleration.

On the highways, the performance drop is more evident as getting to triple digit speeds will take more time, and overtakes will require more planning. If you drive around in the city a lot, and you don’t mind a little dull highway performance, the CNG powertrain will be a good option for you as you’ll be able to get a good fuel efficiency.

In terms of ride comfort too, the Glanza won't disappoint. Its suspension setup is well-balanced between comfort and sportiness. As a result, bump absorption at slower speeds is good, which keeps you comfortable during city drives.

Only sharper bumps or speed breakers at slightly higher speeds might cause slight jolts inside the cabin accompanied by a vocal thud sound. But this won't unsettle you in any sense, as the movement remains controlled.

Even at higher highway speeds, the Glanza remains stable, and while the steering feels light in the city, it does weigh up as your speed increases, inspiring confidence within the driver. In fact, the Glanza is enjoyable to drive on twisty roads and hilly terrain, so you definitely can have some fun and spirited driving when not chauffeuring your family around in the city. Either way, the Glanza will keep you happy in both the scenarios.

• Toyota offers the Glanza in four variants: E, S, G and V.

• The CNG kit is available in the mid-spec S and G variants.

Toyota Glanza E

• Bare bone variant gets LED elements only in the tail lights. Sports halogen projector headlights, 16-inch steel wheels, and body coloured bumpers.

• Functional features include auto AC, power windows, keyless entry, and tilt steering adjustment.

• No touchscreen or sound system. The driver gets a black and white multi-info display.

• Standard safety kit includes six airbags, ABS with EBD, ISOFIX mounts, and reverse parking sensors.

Toyota Glanza S

• Better exterior looks with chrome inserts, wheel covers, body coloured door handles and mirrors

• Improved functional features with electric outside mirrors, steering mounted controls, and rear parcel shelf. 

• Adds a touchscreen with wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and 4-speakers.

Toyota Glanza G

• More premium feel with alloy wheels, LED headlights, and additional chrome garnishes all around.

• Top feature additions include rear AC vents, USB type-A and C charging ports, push button start/stop and connected car features.

• Improved functionality with driver seat height and telescopic steering adjustment and front central armrest.

• Gets colour MID, 7-inch touchscreen and 2 tweeters added to the sound system.

• Adds rear-view camera.

Toyota Glanza V

• Gains full LED lighting setup including DRLs and fog lamps and UV cut glasses.

• Functional add ons include 360-degree camera, cruise control, auto-dimming inside mirror, auto folding outside mirror, and vanity lamps (driver and passenger).

• Features a 9-inch infotainment system with a head-up display for the driver.

CarDekho recommends:

• The base variant of the Glanza is too basic. If you’re on a budget, we would recommend the one-above-base S variant, which offers many functional features along with a basic entertainment package.

• The Glanza’s G variant feels the most value for money as it doesn’t miss on any functional or even comfort feature for you to complain about.

The Glanza does offer a rather attractive package, especially in its price range. It has more strong points than weak ones. And even the few misses it has aren’t crucial dealbreakers. 

You get a sophisticated design, a spacious and good quality cabin, and a feature-rich list that includes some segment-first features. Add the Glanza’s comfortable ride quality to that list and you've got a package that your family will have no complaints about.

Sure, it may lack engine options and more powerful and exciting alternatives, but its engine is a well-rounded performer that offers both efficiency and refinement, making it easy to drive. And it is rewarding too when driven hard, especially with the manual gearbox, so you will be able to enjoy this vehicle. 

And picking the Glanza over the Baleno, despite their core similarities shouldn't cause you a big confusion. Because with the Glanza, you get all the pros of the Baleno, along with the added value of a Toyota badge, a better service experience and an extended warranty package. So unless you prefer the looks of the Baleno, the Glanza can provide you with a superior ownership experience.

Other Cars To Consider

Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Reasons to consider

• If you prefer the styling

Reasons to ignore

• You prefer the Toyota badge and ownership experience

Tata Altroz

Reasons to consider

• Proven 5 Star rating from Global NCAP

• Better features package

• Option of a diesel engine

Reasons to ignore

• Engine isn’t as refined

• Tata’s inconsistent service experience

Hyundai i20

Reasons to consider

• More features

• Sportier N-line version with turbo-petrol engine

Reasons to ignore

• More expensive

• No CNG option