Buddy i am not a car expert but as per my small experience of riding cars and comparing them... 1KR Engine (the one in Belta) is a pretty superior engine than the one in Baleno... but when it is installed in a big heavier car like Belta... then it gives you a little feel of being under powered...
But when this same engine (1KR) is placed in a smaller car like Vitz or Passo.... it performs like a hell... you will really feel a thrust of the engine... (if well tuned) you will be driving at 180 Km/h with such the same comfort level that you will get in a locally produced car when you are driving at 80 KM/h... and if you cross 100 on a local car, you start feeling vibrations and other noises...
So, the Japanese made cars are much superior in comfort than local cars... plus extra features like ABS, EPS, Air bags etc etc... (and a much much stronger body...)