The Toyota Glanza compact car segment in India has always been a battleground for automakers, with every brand striving to deliver the ideal mix of style, performance, efficiency, and affordability. In this fiercely competitive space, the Toyota Glanza emerges as a premium hatchback that ticks all the right boxes. A product born out of the Toyota-Suzuki alliance, the Glanza is Toyota’s iteration of the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, but it brings its own distinctive flair, brand reliability, and a promise of long-term value. With its sharp design, feature-rich cabin, efficient powertrain options, and Toyota’s after-sales service, the Glanza has carved a niche for itself in urban mobility. Let us dive deep into what makes the Toyota Glanza a smart choice in 2025.
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A Glimpse into the Toyota Glanza
Launched in India on June 6, 2019, the Toyota Glanza initially positioned itself as a rebadged Baleno. However, with the second-generation model introduced in March 2022, Toyota gave the Glanza a stronger identity, with a fresh front fascia, distinct alloy wheels, and enhanced features. It now appeals not only to Toyota loyalists but also to new car buyers seeking a feature-loaded, stylish, and fuel-efficient hatchback.
Design and Styling: Elegant Yet Sporty
Exterior The Toyota Glanza has a design that blends sophistication with a sporty undertone. At the front, it features a sleek chrome-finished grille, sharp projector LED headlamps with integrated DRLs, and a sculpted bonnet. The bumper gets C-shaped fog lamp housing that adds to its visual drama. Move to the side, and you’ll notice the diamond-cut 16-inch alloy wheels, body-colored door handles, and subtle character lines that accentuate the car’s length. At the rear, the wrap-around LED tail lamps and chrome accents lend a touch of class.
Color Options The Glanza is available in attractive color options including:
- Insta Blue
- Sportin Red
- Enticing Silver
- Gaming Grey
- Cafe White
- Insta Blue with Black Roof (dual-tone)
Interior Step inside the Glanza, and you’re welcomed by a dual-tone black and beige dashboard, soft-touch materials, and silver accents. The cabin feels airy and spacious with well-bolstered seats, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and a neat layout. Quality has taken a leap forward in the current generation, making it feel more premium than its predecessor.
Advanced Features and Technology
Infotainment System The Glanza sports a 9-inch floating touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The display is crisp, and the user interface is intuitive. Toyota’s Smart Playcast infotainment system integrates well with the user’s smartphone and offers smooth connectivity.
Heads-Up Display (HUD) One of the standout features in the Glanza is the Heads-Up Display, which projects key driving information like speed, gear position, and navigation onto the windscreen. This allows the driver to stay focused on the road.
Voice Assistant and Connected Car Tech The car includes a voice-enabled assistant triggered by “Hey Toyota.” Additionally, the Glanza supports connected car technology, allowing remote engine start/stop, AC control, geofencing, and vehicle tracking through a smartphone app.
Comfort and Convenience Features
- 360-degree camera with guidelines
- Rear AC vents
- Tilt and telescopic steering
- Automatic climate control
- Keyless entry and push-button start
- Height-adjustable driver seat
- UV-cut glass for cabin cooling
- Rear wiper and washer
Powertrain Options: Efficiency Meets Performance
Petrol Variant The Glanza is powered by a 1.2-litre K-series Dual Jet Dual VVT petrol engine that produces 90 PS of power and 113 Nm of torque. It’s available with a 5-speed manual transmission and a 5-speed AMT. The petrol motor is refined, peppy in the city, and delivers excellent fuel economy.
E-CNG Variant For those looking for lower running costs, the Glanza is also offered with a factory-fitted CNG kit. The same 1.2-litre engine delivers 77 PS in CNG mode with a claimed mileage of 30.61 km/kg.
Mileage Figures
- Petrol MT: 22.35 kmpl
- Petrol AMT: 22.94 kmpl
- CNG MT: 30.61 km/kg
These figures make the Glanza one of the most fuel-efficient hatchbacks in its segment.
Ride and Handling
The Toyota Glanza’s suspension setup offers a great balance between comfort and road stability. It absorbs potholes and undulations effortlessly, making it a pleasant car for city commutes and occasional highway drives. The steering is light at low speeds and weighs up decently on highways, making it an easy car to maneuver.
Toyota has also worked on reducing NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) levels, and the cabin feels insulated even at higher speeds.
Safety First
Toyota has not cut corners when it comes to safety. The Glanza has received a 4-star rating from Global NCAP, ensuring peace of mind for families.
Safety Features Include:
- Up to 6 airbags (front, side, and curtain)
- ABS with EBD and Brake Assist
- ESP (Electronic Stability Program)
- Hill Hold Control
- ISOFIX child seat anchors
- Rear parking sensors and camera
- Speed alert system and seatbelt reminders
Variants and Pricing
The Toyota Glanza is offered in four variants:
- E (Base Model)
- S (Mid Variant)
- G (Feature-rich variant)
- V (Top-end variant)
Transmission Options: Manual and AMT (only on G and V trims)
Price Range (Ex-showroom, Delhi): ₹6.90 lakh – ₹10.00 lakh
The CNG variant is available in the S and G trims and starts at ₹8.50 lakh (approx.).
Maintenance and Reliability
Toyota is globally known for producing reliable vehicles, and the Glanza is no exception. The brand offers a 3-year/1,00,000 km warranty, which can be extended further. Additionally, Toyota’s extensive service network and relatively low cost of ownership make the Glanza a hassle-free car to maintain.
The Glanza is also supported by Toyota’s “Respect Package”, which ensures attractive buyback values and low maintenance plans.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Excellent fuel efficiency
- Premium and spacious interior
- Feature-rich even in mid variants
- Toyota brand trust and after-sales service
- CNG option available
Cons:
- AMT lacks the refinement of a proper automatic (CVT or torque converter)
- No diesel engine option
- Sunroof missing (while competitors like Hyundai i20 offer it)
Competition Check
The Toyota Glanza competes with:
- Maruti Baleno (sibling rival)
- Hyundai i20
- Tata Altroz
- Honda Jazz (discontinued but still in resale market)
- Citroen C3 (emerging competition)
Among these, the Glanza stands out with its Toyota branding, balanced pricing, and extended feature list.
Buyer’s Verdict: Should You Buy the Toyota Glanza in 2025?
Absolutely, yes—if you’re in the market for a stylish, efficient, safe, and tech-rich hatchback. The Glanza, while slightly costlier than the Baleno, justifies the premium with Toyota’s superior service, warranty, and resale support. For city dwellers, college goers, small families, or even daily office commuters, the Glanza offers a reliable and value-for-money package.
With the inclusion of a CNG variant, modern features like HUD, voice assistant, and 360-degree camera, the Toyota Glanza has evolved from a mere rebadged version of the Baleno to a refined urban hatchback tailored to today’s tech-savvy and economy-conscious buyer.
If you’re after peace of mind and practicality with a touch of style, the Toyota Glanza is a hatchback that deserves a top spot on your shortlist.
Many prospective buyers often have specific questions in mind when considering the Toyota Glanza. Here are a few important ones addressed in detail:
The Toyota Glanza does not come with a sunroof in any of its variants. While this may be a disappointment for some buyers who consider it a premium feature, the car compensates with several other advanced features.
The on-road price of the top-spec Glanza V AMT typically ranges between ₹10.85 lakh and ₹11.10 lakh, depending on the city and applicable taxes. This places it competitively in the premium hatchback segment.
For long journeys, the Glanza proves to be a reliable choice. Its refined engine, spacious interior, and excellent fuel efficiency make it comfortable for extended travel.
Final Word The Toyota Glanza is more than just a stylish hatchback. It’s a statement of efficiency, dependability, and modern design. In a market flooded with choices, the Glanza manages to shine with its strong fundamentals, thoughtful features, and Toyota’s brand assurance. If you’re looking for a long-term partner for daily drives and weekend getaways, Glanza is a worthy pick in 2025 and beyond.