ALTO LXI - Worth every penny you paid for this Car. Review on Maruti Suzuki Alto LX

Just like any other middle class Indian family a 4 wheeler was a milestone to be achieved for us. Yes the dreams of a first car always associated with lot of excitement and I was not exceptional. The day I got my first job I had started planning for our first car. I was fully ignorant about cars that time anything with 4 wheels and a roof is a car for me. So the suggestion came from my brother in law as it is your first car let's go for ALTO. I had a tiny budget so nothing much to think or argue ...Yes ALTO LXI came to my home on 2007 Jan 25. Now she is with us for last 3.5 Yrs....she is worth every single penny of my hard earned money. Ooops forgot to tell about her color....She is a beauty dressed in wine red

Here comes my take on different aspect of the car

Looks & Styling (5/10)

This is a entry level hatch back so cant expect looks of a BMW. I always felt ALTO looks like a car designed for ladies. I like the front view of the car but rear doesn't impress me. It looks like really small car from outside. Overall she is a small entry level city car with bellow average looks

Space Inside(5/10)

Slightly better than Maruti. I feel front seat we have enough leg room but rear leg room is really bad, this is one of the biggest negatives of this car. This makes long drives in this car with 4 people really uncomfortable. Boot space also not sufficient, whenever we went for trips we never able to keep everything inside the boot we always used to have something in hand/seats even it is a 2 day trip.

Comfort(4/10)

Again everything you can expect from an entry level hatch back. Seating position is very low which makes it is hard to get in and out if u are used to other cars in the segment. I felt ALTO is the car if you have only 2 people to travel most of the time and occasionally 4. Rear seat comfort is the big question mark here. During long drives my dad used to have issue with sitting in the rear seat so for old people front seat is the best option

Full Efficiency(7/10)

One area ALTO going to score. I got 18-19 on highway and city probably 13-15. These figures wont surprise us after the introduction of K series Engine but for a non K series engine these are really good numbers. Switching on a/c has a significant effect on the mileage and power but still it is a fuel efficient car.

Engine Performance(6/10)

Engine is kind of silent and fuel efficient. Power matches your expectations from a 800CC car. Main drawback is once you switch on the a/c altogether you are driving a different car, yes a/c has a definite effect on the power. Considering it as a city car it has the power you need while driving in the congested city traffic. Anther important thing it is just matter of getting used to the power of this car, once you become comfortable then you will never feel it is underpowered. Dont expect something extra ordinary in highways, she is a city girl she will get you her best in highways also but not good enough to match other cars. I had touched 120 in this car but I will never recommend to cross 100 in this car.

Maintenance(9/10)

Another area ALTO going to score. This is the feature impressed me this is absolutely a zero maintenance vehicle. In last 4 years only major expense for me is changing the battery after 3.5 yrs. Battery cost me 4000. Other than this main maintenance for me was repainting scratches in the bumber and now I stopped doing that. Spare parts are easily avaialable and very cheap so all together no need to worry about maintanance.

Built Quality (4/10)

Built quality is bad in my opinion, body gonna bend even for a small accident with a bike. Plastic quality inside is also cheap but you cant expect somethng great for 3 lac. So drive carefully and avoid accidents. Another thing is no power window in the standard model.

Handling(6/10)

Designed for city driving so best suited for congested cities. power steering is average but high ground clearance and low turning radius is the highlight here. Even in city parking also it is the best bet. You can use small gully roads due to the size of this vehicle.

After Sales Service(8/10)

I dont think I have to say anything about Maruti after sales service, this is the area other vehicle manuefactures need to learn from Maruti. Service cost is very low and service centres are avaialable evry where. Now a days I service my car from Carnation Marathahalli. Even you struck somewhere it is easy to get spares and even a technician cos every technician know how to repair a Maruti cos most of them started their carrier on Maruti 800.

Let me talk about all the additional fittings I have in my ALTO

1. Wheel caps - 5000

   
   




2. Sony xplod steroe with 2 speakers and 2 tutors - 10000

   
   




3. Body color bumber painting - 3000

   
   




4. Seat cover floor mat etc

   
   




5. Mobile Holder - 250

   
   




6. Mirrors are changed to bigger ones

   
   

My Suggestion

ALTO is a fantastic first car. Most of the drawbacks we discussed above is addressed in ALTO K10 so ALTO K10 should be a good choice compared to ALTO.  But listen I will recommend if your budget permits go for Wagon R or Estilo. I will recomend you ALTO only if you travell most of the time alone (max 2 people and a kid) occasionally with family and atleast 80% of your travel is short trips inside the city. This is a very basic car so once you start driving and learn more about car you really want more features and ALTO has nothing luxuary. So if your budget allows go for bigger car you may get a Wagon R for another 60-70 K. From one of my friend who works in Maruti I heard 50% owners of ALTO actually came to Maruti showroom to purchase Maruti 800 and salesmen make them buy ALTO. I strongly recommend you ALTO if you plan for a 800 cos it is a far better and modern car. Considering others cars like Spark and Santro, ALTO is slightly inferior in features and looks. If you have already a good car and want to gift a car to your wife then ALTO is for you. As I mentioned this car worth every penny you spend.....So let's go ALTO