The entry-level Maruti car is a big hit among first-time buyers. How does the latest iteration fares? We find out.
The connection of the Alto brand with Indian car buyers is two decades old. Over time, Maruti Suzuki discontinued Maruti 800 and added that ‘800’ tag to the Alto. The Alto was then offered with two iterations, the regular Alto 800 and the powerful Alto K10 (with the 1.0-litre engine) in 2012. Now, the automaker has again rejigged its Alto clan by discontinuing the Alto K10 altogether and shedding the 800-badge from the latest Alto.
KNOW MARUTI ALTO ON-ROAD PRICES AND OFFERS HERE
The 2019 Maruti Suzuki Alto gets changes deep skin with tough architecture to comply with stricter crash test norms. Moreover, it gets the major update in the form of the BS6 compliant 800cc engine. The exterior and interior changes are subtle. The small car has been a hit among masses due to its fuss-free ownership experience and Maruti Suzuki’s largest car service network in India.
Exterior
On the outside, the updated Maruti Suzuki Alto gets familiar styling with petal-shaped headlamps, thick C-pillar, body panels, door handles, rear bumper and boot lid design. Despite using the same set of panels, the Alto looks different from the front fascia courtesy large honey-comb lower-grille covering the airdam. The side mirrors too are restyled.
The bumper not only adds to its styling, but it also makes the Alto longer by 50 mm, which makes it comply with pedestrian safety regulations applicable from October 1, 2020. It gets fog lamp housing but no fog lamps. They can be added as an accessory. Rest of the design remains the same as its predecessor.
Dimensions
| Length | 3445 mm |
| Height | 1475 mm |
| Width | 1515 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2360 mm |
| Turning radius | 4.6 m |
The Alto gets a slight bump of 50 mm in length. The width, height and wheelbase of the Maruti car continues to remain the same. The shorter turning radius is a big boon in congested city traffic.
Interior
The simplicity of the Alto travels inside as well with clean and plain-jane dash design. However, the automaker has tried to play around with dual-tone black-beige shade in place of the monotone grey colour. Some parts of the Alto are carried from the K10. The upholstery also sees a refreshed styling with dual-tone black and cream fabric.
The Alto is, of course, not the ideal car when it comes to offering space. It is best suited for four adults of average built. Seating three at the rear is going to be cramping over longer journeys. It gets adequate legroom and headroom.
Engine and Specifications
Powering the Maruti Suzuki Alto is the tried and tested BS6-compliant 796cc F8D petrol engine. It churns out max power of 35.3kW at 6000 rpm and peak torque of 69Nm at 3500 rpm. Unlike its rivals, it only gets a 5-speed manual transmission. It continues to miss the AMT gearbox.
| Engine | Specifications |
| Capacity | 796 cc 3-cylinder |
| Power | 35.3kW |
| Torque | 69Nm |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
Features
The Maruti Suzuki Alto gets a bare borne base standard variant which misses out on even a power steering! The top-spec fully-loaded trim of the Alto gets full wheel covers, body-coloured door handles and bumpers, power steering, front power windows, remote keyless entry, assist grips, rear parcel tray, remote fuel lid opener, AC with heater, 2 front speakers, remote tailgate opener, Bluetooth connectivity, Audio (with USB, Aux-in & Radio) and internally adjustable ORVM. It also gets a 17.78 cm touchscreen infotainment system.
Safety
When it comes to safety, the Alto isn’t the safest car. It gets dual airbags, ABS with EBD, headlight levelling, front wiper and washer, rear door child lock, reverse parking sensor, seat belt reminder, immobiliser, ELR type seat belts and speed alert system.
Price
The Alto is available in 8 variants – STD, STD (O), LXI, LXI (O), LXI CNG, LXI (O) CNG, VXI and VXI +. Here is the price list.
| Maruti Alto Variants | Price (ex-showroom, New Delhi) |
| STD | Rs 2.95 lakh |
| STD (O) | Rs 3.00 lakh |
| LXI | Rs 3.53 lakh |
| LXI (O) | Rs 3.57 lakh |
| VXI | Rs 3.76 lakh |
| VXI + | Rs 3.90 lakh |
| LXI CNG | Rs 4.33 lakh |
| LXI (O) CNG | Rs 4.36 lakh |
Verdict
The BS-6 avatar of the Alto has certainly become safer for occupants and environment alike. Although the base variant is denied of essential features, the subsequent variants offer a decent kit considering it’s an entry-level car. With its strong resale value and low maintenance charges, you cannot go wrong with an Alto.
