Editing Suzuki Cultus Crescent

{{about|the Baleno produced from 1995 to 2002|the Baleno introduced in 2015|Suzuki Baleno (subcompact)|the overview of all models|Suzuki Baleno}}

| image = Suzuki Baleno 1.6 GL 1998.jpg

| caption = Suzuki Baleno sedan (pre-facelift; Chile)

| aka = {{unbulleted list | Suzuki Baleno (International) | Chevrolet Esteem ([[Colombia]]) | Chevrolet Cassia (2000–2002; [[Philippines]]) | Suzuki Esteem ([[North America]], [[Thailand]] and [[Philippines]]) | Suzuki Cultus Crescent (1995–1998; [[Japan]]) | Maruti Suzuki Baleno (India)}}

| production = {{unbulleted list | 1995–2002 (Japan) | 1995–2004 (Colombia) | 1996–2002 (Indonesia) | 1998–2005 (Pakistan) | 1998–2007 (India)}}

| assembly = {{unbulleted list | Japan: [[Shizuoka prefecture|Shizuoka]] (Suzuki Sagara Assembly Plant) | Colombia: [[Bogota]] ([[GM Colmotores|GM Colombia]]) | India: [[Gurgaon]] ([[Maruti Suzuki India]]) | Indonesia: [[Bekasi Regency|Bekasi]] ([[Indomobil Suzuki International|Suzuki Indomobil Motor]]) | Myanmar: [[Yangon]] (Suzuki Myanmar Motor) | Pakistan: [[Karachi]] ([[Pak Suzuki]])}}

| class = [[Subcompact car]]

| body_style = {{unbulleted list | 3-door [[hatchback]] | 4-door [[sedan (automobile)|sedan]] | 5-door [[station wagon]]/van}}

| layout = [[Front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout|Front-engine, front-wheel-drive]] / [[Front-engine, four-wheel-drive layout|four-wheel-drive]]

| engine = {{unbulleted list | '''[[Petrol engine|Petrol]]''': | 1.3 L ''[[Suzuki G engine#G13BB|G13BB]]'' [[Straight-four engine|I4]] | 1.5 L ''[[Suzuki G engine#G15A|G15A]]'' I4 (Japan/Indonesia) | 1.6 L ''[[Suzuki G engine#G16A|G16A]]'' I4 (Japan) | 1.6 L ''[[Suzuki G engine#G16B|G16B]]'' I4 | 1.8 L ''[[List of Suzuki engines#J18|J18A]]'' I4 | '''[[Diesel engine|Diesel]]''': | 1.9 L ''[[PSA XUD engine#XUD9|XUD9]]'' I4 [[turbo-diesel]] (Europe)}}

| width = {{unbulleted list | Hatchback: {{convert|1680|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} |Sedan/Wagon: {{convert|1690|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}}}

| height = {{unbulleted list |Hatchback/Sedan: {{convert|1395|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} | Wagon: {{convert|1460|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} |

Van: {{convert|1540|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name=Baleno99/>}}

| predecessor = [[Suzuki Cultus|Suzuki Cultus/Swift/Esteem]]

| successor = {{ubl| [[Suzuki Aerio|Suzuki Aerio/Liana]] (sedan/wagon) | [[Suzuki Swift]] (hatchback) | [[Suzuki SX4]] sedan (India) | [[Chevrolet Optra]] (Philippines)}}

The {{nihongo|'''Suzuki Cultus Crescent'''|Japanese: スズキ カルタス クレセント|Suzuki Karutasu Kuresento}} is a [[subcompact car]] that was produced by [[Suzuki]] in Japan between 1995 and 2002, with South Asian production continuing until 2007. The Cultus Crescent was sold as such in Japan until May 1998, when it was renamed '''Suzuki Cultus''' due to the sales discontinuation of the previous [[Suzuki Cultus|Cultus]] in the Japanese market. The Cultus Crescent was also marketed as the '''Suzuki Esteem''' in North America, Philippines and Thailand, and as the '''Suzuki Baleno''' throughout Asia, Australasia, Europe, and Latin America. In India where it was manufactured by [[Maruti Suzuki]], the Cultus Crescent was sold as the '''Maruti Suzuki Baleno'''. In the Philippines, the facelift model was marketed as the '''Chevrolet Cassia'''.

<gallery widths="200" heights="136">

File:Suzuki Baleno.jpg|Suzuki Baleno hatchback with alternative grille (pre-facelift, Italy)

File:Suzuki Baleno front 20080220.jpg|Suzuki Baleno hatchback (Germany)

File:Suzuki Baleno rear 20080220.jpg|Suzuki Baleno hatchback (Germany)

Suzuki Baleno sedan (rear).jpg|Suzuki Baleno sedan (Indonesia)

File:Suzuki Baleno 1.6 GLX-SE Wagon 1998 (rear) (cropped).jpg|Suzuki Baleno wagon (Chile)

</gallery>

The Cultus Crescent was introduced in Japan in January 1995<ref name="1990-">{{cite web|title=History 1990–|url=http://www.globalsuzuki.com/corporate/history/1990.html|work=Global Suzuki|publisher=Suzuki Motor Corporation|access-date=20 May 2021}}</ref> and then to the global market in the first half of 1995. It was Suzuki's first attempt in the competitive compact segment. As a North American replacement for the [[Suzuki Cultus]] (Swift) sedan (the three-door hatchback remained after it was redesigned in 1995), it was built on a slightly stretched [[Suzuki Cultus|Cultus]] platform for improved cabin room, but otherwise sharing most of internal components with the smaller model—and marketed as a distinct model.

The Cultus Crescent was initially available as a three-door [[hatchback]] and four-door [[sedan (automobile)|sedan]], with the [[SOHC]] [[Timing belt (camshaft)|belt driven]] [[Multi-valve|16-valve]] [[Suzuki G engine#Four-cylinder|G-family engines]], in 1.3- and 1.5-liter form, with power ranging from {{convert|85|to|97|PS|hpkW|0|abbr=on}}. The 1.3-liter was only offered in the hatch while a 1.5-liter was only fitted to the sedan. Eventually, [[four-wheel drive]] was offered with the 1.6-liter variant in February 1996,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.goo-net-exchange.com/catalog/SUZUKI__CULTUS_CRESCENT/#2/1996|title=SUZUKI CUTUS CRESCENT|access-date=20 May 2021|website=www.goo-net-exchange.com}}</ref> basically the same engine as found in the [[Suzuki Escudo]], with power raised to {{convert|115|PS|hpkW|0|abbr=on}}. At the same time, 1.8-liter [[DOHC]] [[Timing belt (camshaft)|chain driven]] 16-valve [[List of Suzuki engines#Suzuki J engine|J18A]] engine with {{convert|135|PS|hpkW|0|abbr=on}} appeared,<ref name=WagonGT>{{cite web|url=https://www.goo-net-exchange.com/catalog/SUZUKI__CULTUS_CRESCENT_WAGON/5501777/|title=SUZUKI CUTUS CRESCENT WAGON GT|access-date=20 May 2021|website=www.goo-net-exchange.com}}</ref> the lineup was also extended with the wagon body style, called Cultus Crescent Wagon GT.<ref name=WagonGT/> This was Suzuki's first [[station wagon]] (excluding [[kei car]]s), also with the same 1.6-liter, which also received the optional four-wheel drive in the wagon.

In Europe, the 1.5-liter engine was not available for sale. The 1.8-liter engines was exclusively fitted to GTX sport model and was rated at {{convert|121|PS|hp kW|0|abbr=on}} ([[Horsepower#80/1269/EEC|EEC]]).<ref name=BalenoGTX>{{cite web|url=https://www.veikl.com/d/Suzuki-Baleno-1-8-GTX-Brochure-1996-DE-EN-FR-36476/6|title=Suzuki Baleno 1.8 GTX Brochure 1996 DE EN FR - Page 6|website=www.veikl.com|access-date=20 May 2021}}</ref> A commercial van with higher roof was also available in several European countries.<ref name=Baleno99>{{cite web|url=https://www.veikl.com/d/Suzuki-Baleno-Brochure-1999-NL-36393|title=Suzuki Baleno Brochure 1999 NL|language=Dutch|website=www.veikl.com|access-date=20 May 2021}}</ref>

Cultus Crescent also assembled in Colombia at [[GM Colmotores]] in 1995, marketed as Chevrolet Esteem and only available as sedan with 1.3-and 1.6-liter engines. Suzuki also produced this car locally in Indonesia, which was launched in July 1996 as replacement of previous Cultus sedan (marketed as Esteem there) and sold as Suzuki Baleno and only available as sedan with {{convert|118|PS|hp kW|0|abbr=on}} 1.6-liter engine and 5-speed manual transmission. The Suzuki Esteem was introduced in the Philippines in 1996 and sold until 2000, and was only available as a wagon. Suzuki then dropped the "Esteem" name in favour of Chevrolet, who had just been returning in the Philippine-market to have at least one sedan model to compete with other popular Japanese-made sedans.

=== Facelift ===

<gallery widths="200" heights="112">

File:99-00 Suzuki Esteem sedan.jpg|Suzuki Esteem sedan (first facelift, US)

File:99-02 Suzuki Esteem wagon rear.jpg|Suzuki Esteem wagon (first facelift, US), with North American specification tail lights.

File:2000 Suzuki Baleno (SY416) GL hatchback (2011-12-06).jpg|Suzuki Baleno hatchback (first facelift, Australia)

File:Suzuki Baleno 1.6 Wagon 2003 (36182573346).jpg|Suzuki Baleno wagon (second facelift, Chile)

File:Suzuki Cultus 002 (cropped).JPG|Suzuki Cultus sedan (Japan), dropped the "Crescent" suffix in 1998.

File:Suzuki Cultus 004 (cropped).JPG|Suzuki Cultus Wagon (Japan)

File:Balint255.jpg|Suzuki Baleno interior (facelift; Pakistan)

</gallery>

Suzuki restyled the Cultus Crescent and renamed it Cultus (for the Japanese market only) in mid-1998. In this year, both India and Pakistan started producing Baleno in their countries.<ref name=BalenoPK>{{cite web|url=https://carspiritpk.com/globally-retired-cars-pakistan/|title=Globally Retired Cars in Pakistan|date=10 November 2019|access-date=20 May 2021|first =Usman | last = Ansari|website=carspiritpk.com}}</ref><ref name=BalenoIN>{{cite web|url=https://gomechanic.in/blog/the-original-maruti-baleno/|title=The Original Maruti Baleno and Why rally enthusiasts love it?|first=Ritvik | last = Gupta|date=23 April 2020|access-date=20 May 2021}}</ref> Unique for Pakistan, Baleno was produced with pre-facelift front end (but facelifted in 2002<ref name=BalenoPK/>), only available as a sedan and powered with 1.3- and 1.6-liter petrol engines.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pakwheels.com/blog/suzuki-baleno-failure/|title=Suzuki Baleno And Its Failure| first = Laman | last = Samo|date=10 July 2015|access-date=20 May 2021}}</ref> While in India, the wagon body style also produced there and marketed as Baleno Altura<ref name="AR02">{{cite book | title = Automobil Revue 2002 | editor-last = Nötzli | editor-first = Max | publisher = Büchler Grafino AG | ref = AR02 | location = Berne, Switzerland | language = de, fr | page = 550 | volume = 97 | date = 7 March 2002 | isbn = 3-905386-02-X}}</ref><ref name=BalenoIN2>{{cite web|url=https://gomechanic.in/blog/maruti-suzuki-baleno-altura/|title=Maruti Suzuki Baleno Altura, When Maruti tried making a Station Wagon!| first = Ritvik | last = Gupta|date=24 July 2020|access-date=20 May 2021}}</ref> and also the only country that produced Cultus wagon outside Japan. In North America, the changeover took place with the 1999 model year. The engine lineup was expanded to include Suzuki's J18A chain-driven DOHC engine that was fitted to the sedan and wagon. The Esteem 1.8-liter 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-liter was installed in the hatchback and sold as the limited edition Baleno GSR.<ref name="AR02.2">[[#AR02|''Automobil Revue 2002'']], p. 551</ref> Europe also gained a [[turbodiesel]] version, with a SOHC belt driven 8-valve {{convert|75|PS|kW hp|0|abbr=on}} [[PSA XUD engine#XUD9|XUD9]] engine supplied by [[Peugeot]].<ref name=Baleno99/>

In 1999, Indonesian market Baleno received new 1.5-liter petrol engine, replacing the old 1.6-liter engine, as the country imposed higher tax for cars with engine above 1.5-liter starting in the late 1990s.<ref name=BalenoID>{{cite web|url=https://www.mobilmotorlama.com/2016/10/suzuki-baleno-baleno-millenium.html|title=Suzuki Baleno & Baleno Millenium|language=Indonesian| first = Charis | last = Alfan|date=28 October 2016|access-date=20 May 2021|website=www.mobilmotorlama.com}}</ref> 4-speed automatic transmission was later added in 2000.<ref name=BalenoID/>

In the Philippines, the facelift model was introduced in 2000 as the '''Chevrolet Cassia'''. Suzuki chose to drop the Esteem in the market in favor of Chevrolet Philippines, who have been re-introduced at that time to have an entry-level sedan competing against other Japanese-made sedans. Chevrolet's first sedan to be offered in the country for a new decade was not a market success. The 1.6-liter SOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder which made {{convert|97|PS|hp kW|0|abbr=on}} was the only engine choice offered and had fewer features than the rest of its rivals. Its main competitors were the [[Ford Lynx]], [[Toyota Corolla]], [[Honda Civic]], [[Nissan Sentra]], and the [[Mitsubishi Lancer]]. Due to poor sales, production ended in 2002, just 2 years after it was introduced. After its discontinuation, the car was replaced by the [[Chevrolet Optra]].

A minor facelift appeared in 2001, with only changes on the front grille. For the Indonesian market, this facelift appeared with new white coloured rear blinkers and later arrived in India around 2006.

The Cultus was replaced in most markets by the new [[Suzuki Aerio|Aerio/Liana]], which was launched in 2001.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/carfamilytree?ReadForm&ID=DF1DFEC05C99353CCA257125001A165F | title = Suzuki Liana (Liana) | work = GoAuto | access-date = 11 January 2011}}</ref> In Japan, the sedan was discontinued in November 2001,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.goo-net.com/catalog/SUZUKI/CULTUS/index.html | script-title = ja:スズキ カルタス 1989年7月(平成元年7月)〜2001年11月(平成13年11月)　グレード一覧 |trans-title=Suzuki Cultus grade list: July 1989 to November 2001 | language = ja | work = Goo-net | publisher = Proto Corporation | access-date = 11 January 2011}}</ref> although the wagon remained until August 2002.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.goo-net.com/catalog/SUZUKI/CULTUS_WAGON/index.html | script-title = ja:スズキ カルタスワゴン 1998年5月(平成10年5月)〜2002年8月(平成14年8月)　グレード一覧 |trans-title=Suzuki Cultus Wagon grade list: May 1998 to August 2002 | language = ja | work = Goo-net | publisher = Proto Corporation | access-date = 11 January 2011}}</ref> The entire range was pulled from the market in Europe and North America in 2002, after one year of overlapping with the Aerio/Liana. 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 [[Suzuki SX4|SX4]] sedan.

A yellow Suzuki Esteem (with one red door) is used as [[Saul Goodman|Jimmy McGill]]'s car in the AMC TV show ''[[Better Call Saul]]'' for most of the show.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://jalopnik.com/why-better-call-sauls-crappy-suzuki-esteem-is-such-an-i-1684976867 | title = Better Call Saul's Crappy Suzuki Esteem Is An Inspired Choice | work = Jalopnik | last = George | first = Patrick | date = 2015-10-02 | publisher = Gizmodo }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/lifestyle/article/better-call-saul-cars| title = The cars in Better Call Saul are perfect casting | work =[[GQ]] | last = Henderson| first = Paul| date = 2020-04-13 }}</ref>

==Motorsport==

Suzuki Baleno regularly finished in the top five spots of [[Group A#Rallying|A6 class]], mostly in [[Rally New Zealand]] from 1997 to 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tech-racingcars.wikidot.com/suzuki-baleno-g31s|title=Suzuki Baleno G31S group A (1996)|access-date=21 May 2021|website=tech-racingcars.wikidot.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://tech-racingcars.wikidot.com/suzuki-baleno-gc41w-wagon-kit-car|title=Suzuki Baleno GC41W Wagon Kit Car (1997)|access-date=21 May 2021|website=tech-racingcars.wikidot.com}}</ref> The Baleno also received a cult following in India among rally enthusiasts.<ref name=BalenoIN/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.india.com/car-and-bike/car-articles/car-features/the-great-indian-rally-cars-3311754/|title=The great Indian rally cars|date=11 October 2011|access-date=21 May 2021|website=www.india.com}}</ref>

In 2000, Suzuki entered a heavy modified Suzuki Cultus sedan for competing in [[Pikes Peak International Hill Climb]]. It featured two turbocharged [[List of Suzuki engines#Suzuki J engine|J20A]] inline-four engines, with a combined power output of {{convert|800|PS|kW hp|0|abbr=on}} with {{convert|90|kg.m|N.m lb.ft|0|abbr=on}} of torque.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.suzuki.co.jp/dom4/motor/00/pikes/index.htm|title=SUZUKI SPORT TWIN-ENGINE CULTUS SPECIFICATIONS|language=Japanese|access-date=21 May 2021|website=www.suzuki.co.jp}}</ref> Driven by the last year's runner up, [[Nobuhiro Tajima|Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima]], it failed to finish the race due an accident that wrecked the car.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewcPsjFSykA&list=RDCMUCCWPy8e7TkqGZH4zt4TiTNw&index=1|title=800Hp Suzuki Esteem Twin-Engine // Tajima's Rare Pikes Peak Monster|access-date=21 May 2021}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links|date=February 2022}}</ref>

[[Category:Vehicles with CVT transmission]]