Suzuki Cultus Crescent
- This article is about the export market Suzuki Esteem. For the Japanese version, see Suzuki Cultus
| Suzuki Esteem | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Suzuki |
| Also called | Suzuki Baleno Maruti Baleno Suzuki Cultus Crescent |
| Production | 1995–2007 |
| Assembly | Hamamatsu, Japan Gurgaon, India |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact |
| Body style | 3-door hatchback 4-door sedan 5-door station wagon |
| Layout | Front engine, front-wheel drive / four-wheel drive |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.3 L I4, 1.6 L I4, 1.8 L I4, 1.9 L Diesel I4 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | Template:Auto mm |
| Length | HB: Template:Auto mm SD/SW: Template:Auto mm |
| Width | Template:Auto mm |
| Height | Template:Auto mm |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Suzuki Swift sedan (North America only) |
| Successor | Suzuki Aerio/Liana (in most world markets) Suzuki SX4 (in India) |
The Suzuki Esteem, known in some markets (including Europe and many Asian countries) as the Suzuki Baleno, is an automobile produced by the Suzuki Motor Corporation. It is the export version of the Suzuki Cultus Crescent. In India, it was manufactured by Maruti Udyog and sold as the Maruti Baleno.
The Esteem was introduced in the global market in 1995 as Suzuki's first attempt in the C-segment, at the time dominated by European cars such as the VW Golf and Opel Astra, and Japanese models such as the Nissan Sunny and Toyota Corolla. As a North American replacement for the Suzuki Swift sedan (the 3-door hatchback remained after it was redesigned in 1995), it was built in the same platform as the Suzuki Swift, with stretched wheelbase and improved cabin room, but shared most of its components with the smaller model, although it was marketed as an all-new and separate automobile.
The Esteem/Baleno was initially available as a 3-door hatchback and 4-door sedan, with 1.3 L (hatch only) and 1.6 L engines, with power ranging between 85 PS (63 kW) and 99 PS (73 kW/97 hp). In 1996, the lineup was extended with the Esteem Wagon (Baleno Break in most European markets and Baleno Altutra in India), Suzuki's first station wagon, also with the same 1.6 L, which also received optional 4WD in the two larger body variants.
Suzuki restyled the Esteem/Baleno in 1999. The car was given a new frontend, with a rounder grille and new headlights, and the engine lineup was expanded. Mazda supplied the 1.8 L BP engine, that was fitted to the sedan and wagon. In North America, the Esteem 1.8 Station Wagon completely replaced the Esteem 1.6, but in most markets the 1.8 sedan became the sports model. In some European markets, the 1.8 L was installed in the hatchback and sold as the limited edition Baleno GTi. Europe also gained a Diesel version, with a 75 PS (55 kW) XUD engine supplied by Peugeot.
The Esteem/Baleno was replaced in most markets by the new Aerio/Liana. It was pulled from the market in Europe and North American in 2002, after one year of overlapping. The car remained available in many developing countries, including India and Southeast Asia, where it was sold until 2007, when production stopped at the Maruti factory, with the assembly line giving way to the SX4 Sedan.
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