India's Best Entry Level Hatchback

Maruti Suzuki Alto

It has been India's largest selling car for five years on the trot, and as they say - the market is more often than not, the best judge. What was introduced as a plusher and more modern follow up to the iconic Maruti 800 soon grabbed the imagination of the nation, offering great reliability, functionality and value for money.

To top it off, Maruti Suzuki has consistently offered more options for the Alto, be it a CNG dual-fuel variant or the more recent Alto K10 engine transplant and facelift. In its new avatar, the Alto K10 has come out stronger than ever as a thoroughly modern offering that beats the competition in terms of technology, while still retaining its image and brand strength that the car has developed over all these years.

While Alto F800 remains the mainstay of the range with its reliability and price point, the K10 variant is what has really refreshed the brand in the minds of urban buyers who have been subject to more modern offerings in recent times. The 1-litre K-series engine which is also seen in the A-Star, the Estilo and the new WagonR remains one of the most technologically advanced and fuel efficient engines in its class currently available in India. The smooth and refined K10 engine along with a new gearbox greatly improves the drive experience, but more critically the refreshed interiors and suspension setup of the K10 make it a car that few would complain about being in.

The Alto remains almost a case study for how to make a successful car in India, and how to nurture and sustain a brand for the longest possible time based on a clear understanding of the market. It would be interesting to notice the price range that the Alto covers between its variants - starting at Rs 2.2 lakh and stretching on up to Rs 3.3 lakh for the recently launched CNG variant. Thanks to this, the Alto brand which is now comprised of two different cars has been armed with the potential of continuing its strong run in small towns with the F800 model - based on a strong value-for-money proposition - while harnessing and exploiting the burgeoning urban car market with the plusher and more contemporary K10 model.

Quick Facts
Engine: 996cc, inline-three, petrol
Power: 68PS@ 6,200rpm
Torque: 90Nm @ 3,500rpm
Transmission: 5-speed manual
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 2360mm
LxWxH: 3620 x 1475 x 1460mm
Weight: 760-765kg
Performance
0-100 km/h: 15.24 sec
Top speed: 152.4 km/h
Fuel efficiency (overall): 14.8 kmpl

Variants
Std: Rs. 2.28 lakh
LX: Rs. 2.6 lakh
LXi: Rs. 2.77 lakh
K10 LXi: Rs. 3.09 lakh
K10 VXi: Rs. 3.22 lakh
CNG Std: Rs. 2.80 lakh
CNG LX: Rs. 3.11 lakh
CNG LXi: Rs. 3.29 lakh

Cheers: 1. Plonking the K10 engine into the Alto has given it a new attitude
2. Two-model strategy allows the Alto brand to serve small towns and large cities    equally

Sneers: 1.Lack of space at the rear makes it a less-than-ideal car for larger families
              2. F800 engine has begun to show its age, and could do with more stonk and  grunt   

Honourable Mentions

Hyundai Santro
The Santro’s extended tenure in India continues, thanks to the fact that a majority of the masses have grown comfortable with the Hyundai brand. While the car may have aged in terms of its looks, it still remains a perfectly practical machine for the urban commute.   

Chevrolet Spark
GM’s spunky development of the Daewoo Matiz made a Spark into a thoroughly competent performer, and the subsequent price cut made it one of the most affordable cars in its class. The Spark still remains the weapon of choice for the exuberant driver on a budget.

Other Rivals

Maruti 800
The 800 has enjoyed a generation-long and fruitful time in India, but with stricter emission norms creeping in, and the availability of more modern options, the 800 will have to satisfy itself with small town sales, before it is phased out.