The Toyota Glanza stands as a highly crucial product in Toyota Kirloskar Motor’s (TKM) Indian lineup. It is the result of a strategic partnership with Maruti Suzuki, positioned directly in the heart of the competitive premium hatchback segment. While sharing its mechanical foundation with the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, the Glanza is far from being a mere clone. It has carved out its own niche by leveraging Toyota’s globally renowned reputation for reliability, exceptional after-sales service, and a distinct front-end design that imbues it with a more aggressive, upmarket character.
The latest iteration of the Glanza has stepped up the game significantly, not just visually, but most importantly, in terms of technology and safety—areas where modern Indian consumers are demanding more. This comprehensive review dives deep into every facet of the Toyota Glanza, evaluating its design, dissecting its engine performance, analyzing its class-leading features, and offering an honest assessment of its real-world driving experience.
Design and Exterior: A Distinctive Road Presence
While the side profile and rear silhouette of the Glanza remain closely aligned with its platform sibling, Toyota has invested significant effort in differentiating the Glanza’s face.
The Signature Toyota Look
The Toyota Glanza adopts Toyota’s signature design language, particularly evident in the following elements:
- Front Grille: It features a wider, more pronounced grille with a sleek chrome strip that elegantly merges into the headlamp clusters. This gives the car a lower, more planted, and slightly aggressive stance than its contemporary.
- Headlamps: The use of LED Projector Headlamps with integrated L-shaped LED Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs) adds a premium and sophisticated touch, enhancing its night-time visibility and appeal.
- Alloy Wheels: The 16-inch dual-tone alloy wheels (on top variants) feature a distinctive diamond-cut pattern, further elevating its premium appeal.
The overall design philosophy is one of clean, sculpted lines, giving the Glanza a modern, European-inspired look that manages to hold its own against segment stalwarts.
Interior & Features: Tech-Forward and Spacious
Step inside the Glanza, and you are greeted by a cabin that emphasizes space, comfort, and technological refinement. The dashboard utilizes a dual-tone theme (often black and beige or black and dark grey) that adds a sense of airiness and premiumness.
Technology Benchmarks
The Glanza is surprisingly rich in technology, particularly in its higher G and V variants, directly targeting the aspirations of the tech-savvy urban buyer:
- Head-Up Display (HUD): This segment-first feature projects critical driving information (speed, RPM, gear shift indicator) onto a transparent screen directly in the driver’s line of sight, minimizing distraction and significantly boosting safety.
- SmartPlay Cast Infotainment: The floating 9-inch touchscreen is slick, responsive, and features a clean user interface. It offers seamless wireless connectivity for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
- 360-Degree Camera: Available in the top-spec variants, this system provides a composite bird’s-eye view of the car’s surroundings, making tight parking maneuvers in congested city spaces incredibly easy and safe.
- Connected Car Features: Toyota’s connected car suite offers telematics features, remote functions, and vehicle health reports, aligning the Glanza with modern mobility trends.
Comfort and Practicality
The Glanza’s 2520 mm wheelbase is cleverly utilized to provide generous interior room. Rear-seat passengers benefit from ample legroom and dedicated Rear AC Vents, a non-negotiable comfort feature. Practicality is managed well, with a decent 318 Litres of boot space, which is adequate for weekend luggage or grocery runs.
- Key Comfort Highlights: Automatic Climate Control, Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel adjustment (top variants), and Cruise Control (V variant).
Engine Specifications and Mileage: Efficiency Meets Refinement
The Toyota Glanza’s powertrain philosophy is centred on unwavering efficiency and smooth performance, perfectly suited for the stop-and-go nature of Indian city traffic.
The 1.2 L Dual Jet Petrol Engine
The Glanza is powered by the highly evolved and refined 1.2 L 4-cylinder K-Series Dual Jet, Dual VVT petrol engine.
| Specification | 1.2 L VVT Petrol | 1.2 L CNG |
| Engine Displacement | 1197 cc | 1197 cc |
| Max Power | 88.50 bhp @ 6000 rpm | 76.43 bhp @ 6000 rpm |
| Max Torque | 113 Nm @ 4400 rpm | 98.5 Nm @ 4300 rpm |
| Transmissions | 5-Speed Manual (MT), 5-Speed AMT | 5-Speed Manual (MT) only |
| Fuel Saving Tech | Idle Start/Stop System | Dedicated CNG Kit |
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Mileage: The Class Leader
Fuel efficiency is a colossal selling point for the Glanza. The engine features advanced technology, including the Dual Jet setup (two injectors per cylinder) and an Idle Start/Stop System, to maximize efficiency.
| Powertrain | Transmission | ARAI Mileage Claim | Real-World Expectation |
| Petrol | MT | 22.35 kmpl | 16−19 kmpl |
| Petrol | AMT | 22.94 kmpl | 17−20 kmpl |
| CNG | MT | 30.61 km/kg | 26−29 km/kg |
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The CNG variant, available in the S and G trims, offers genuinely jaw-dropping economy figures, making it one of the cheapest vehicles to run in India.
Read more : Volkswagen Taigun
Safety Rating and Features: Six Airbags as Standard
Safety has recently become the Glanza’s strongest defensive play in the segment.
The Six Airbag Commitment
In a market-defining move, Toyota (and its platform partner) standardized the provision of 6 Airbags (Dual Front, Front Side, and Curtain) across all variants of the Glanza. This commitment to passive safety is a crucial factor for modern family buyers and significantly raises the bar in the premium hatchback class.
Crash Test Status
As of the current date, the latest generation of the Toyota Glanza (built on the updated HEARTECT platform) has not been formally crash-tested by Global NCAP or Bharat NCAP. However, the previous generation of the platform (used by Baleno) had concerns. The structural improvements and the standardized 6-airbag setup are expected to translate into a highly competitive safety rating once tested, but buyers should note the absence of an official star rating.
Active Safety Suite
The Glanza is well-equipped with active safety systems, especially in the AMT and top variants:
- ABS with EBD and Brake Assist (BA): Standard across all models.
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC) / Vehicle Stability Control (VSC): Crucial for maintaining control during sharp maneuvers or on slippery roads.
- Hill Hold Assist (HHA): Prevents the car from rolling back on inclines (available on AMT variants).
- ISOFIX Child Seat Mounts: Standardized for maximum child safety.
The Real Driving Experience: Refined and Comfortable
The Glanza is engineered to be a comfortable, effortless urban commuter with enough grunt for relaxed highway cruising.
City Commuting
In the city, the Glanza truly excels.
- Engine Refinement: The 1.2 L engine is exceptionally quiet and refined at city speeds. There is minimal Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) entering the cabin.
- AMT Smoothness: The 5-speed AMT (Automated Manual Transmission) is one of the better-tuned units in the market. While the typical “head-nod” associated with AMTs is present under aggressive acceleration, it is relatively well-masked when driven gently, making it highly practical for bumper-to-bumper traffic. The light steering further aids maneuverability.
Highway Performance
On the open road, the Glanza delivers predictable and stable performance.
- Power Delivery: The 88.50 bhp and 113 Nm are sufficient for quick highway overtakes, though the engine may need to be revved high to extract maximum performance, especially when fully loaded.
- Ride Quality: The suspension is tuned for comfort, soaking up potholes and road undulations effectively. The car remains stable and composed up to legal highway speeds (100−120 km/h). Only when pushed aggressively does the ride feel slightly soft.
Toyota Ownership Advantage
Perhaps the biggest intangible benefit of the Glanza is the Toyota badge. This translates to:
- Legendary Reliability: Very few reported niggles or long-term issues.
- Low Maintenance Cost: Competitive service package and lower long-term cost of ownership.
- Exceptional Service Network: Access to Toyota’s highly-rated after-sales service experience, including conveniences like the 60 min Express Maintenance.
Variants, Pricing, and Value Proposition
The Toyota Glanza is offered across four core variants—E, S, G, and V—giving customers ample choice to match features to their budget.
| Variant | Price (Ex-Showroom, INR Lakh) | Key Highlights Over Previous Trim |
| E (Base) | ₹6.39 – ₹6.86 | Standard 6 Airbags, 1.2 L MT, Idle Start/Stop. |
| S | ₹7.24 – ₹8.65 | AMT Option, CNG Option, Chrome Body Trim, Audio System. |
| G (Mid-Spec) | ₹8.14 – ₹9.68 | 9-inch Touchscreen, Rear AC Vents, Rear Wiper/Washer, AMT & CNG. |
| V (Top-Spec) | ₹8.98 – ₹10.00 | HUD, 360° Camera, ESC/VSC (with AMT), Cruise Control, LED Fog Lamps. |
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The Glanza V AMT is currently the most feature-rich and highest-priced variant at approximately ₹10.00 Lakh (Ex-showroom).
Full Specifications Summary
| Category | Specification Details |
| Dimensions | Length: 3990 mm, Width: 1745 mm, Height: 1500 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2520 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 170 mm |
| Boot Space | 318 Litres |
| Engine Type | 1.2 L 4-Cylinder VVT Petrol / CNG |
| Max Power (Petrol) | 88.50 bhp |
| Max Torque (Petrol) | 113 Nm |
| Transmission | 5-Speed MT or 5-Speed AMT |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 37 Litres (Petrol) |
| Safety Features | 6 Airbags (Standard), ABS with EBD, ESC/VSC, HHA |
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Conclusion: The Reliable All-Rounder
The Toyota Glanza is a masterful package that offers the winning combination of superlative efficiency, a highly refined cabin experience, and now, class-leading safety features with 6 airbags as standard. It perfectly targets the discerning urban buyer who prioritizes peace of mind (reliability and service) and running costs over outright performance or aggressive styling.
It stands as a strong, highly recommended choice in the premium hatchback segment, particularly for those seeking a smooth city automatic or the incredibly economical CNG option, all backed by the impenetrable promise of Toyota’s long-term ownership experience.
Considering its focus on efficiency and city driving, would you like a direct feature and maintenance cost comparison between the Toyota Glanza and its closest rival, the Hyundai i20?
