I love driving. Those who love driving would like petrol engine, good pickup, low center of gravity, overtaking, good handling at corners, enough grunt on slope, fast acceleration which are all found in Alto K10.
To be frank I am not writing this review but my car is getting written this review by me. Today my odo is 5800km after purchasing it in July 2011(5 month). But every time I drive her, she threatens me to write about her and what better place to write than Mouthshut where review is written by heart and first hand experience than some technical jargon.
Alto K10 is new launch by Maruti Suzuki with 1000cc engine. It is I think 40cm longer than Alto 800 (old alto). My Vxi model has A/C, Power steering, Front power windows, 13 inch rims with tubeless tyres, Parcel tray, Fog lamps, cigarette lighter as standard at 3, 35, 000/- and with 20000/- extra I fitted Kenwood headunit (cd player, USB, Auxiliary in, Bluetooth), front JBL speakers only.
(Large one 120w or something as I do not want to put holes in my parcel tray) and red and black leather seat covers custom made. My car is copper colour. As I have 3yr and 6mth children, I got sporty colour as they are happy, instead of plain white, silver colour and sporty interior.
Performance - her 1000cc engine speaks - you are in front of all at signal, effortlessly overtake any vehicle, really appreciate when you ascend on slope when every other vehicle is hopping(downshifting of gear). A/C is chilling no need to shut a/c while overtaking(those who have alto800 knows).
Gear shift is by wire - delight to shift with slot like feeling (upmarket), 2nd and 3rd gear is delight to use in city. Maximum speed I drive comfortably is 110-120km/hr on expressway. (140km/hr maximum) Here comes the limitation-
On straight road it start to panting and other negative is the brake which are sufficient but takes time to slow down and when we stand on it it abruptly stops so better to keep safe distances always - more important in bumper to bumper traffic.
Handling - Not much of body roll, good cornering ability, better acceleration. Space - Someone said (faux pass) "How much land man requires?" But sufficient space for us Indians up to 6' max. Extra wheel neatly hidden you can put luggage for small holidays comfortably.
I have carried by child's "zoli" (crib) folded nicely. One more advantage for me over A star is that luggage space is bigger and easily accessible. In Astar it is deep like a pothole where you have to lift luggage for extra height than just slide in. Fuel efficiency - good. 19-20km/lt on highway and 15-17km/lt in city.
These are approx. Ownership experience - After all it's a Japanese car. Maruti Suzuki is bagging JD power surveys awards. It's hassle free with niggles here and there but acceptable. I bought the car from Chowgule industry, Pune.
I had previously a old Alto 800 and completed 5 yrs. So when it come to replace it I have lot options. But decided to go with Alto K10. My main criteria was fun to drive without burden on pocket. With open economy and loads of money, Indian consumers are spoilt for choice by automotive companies.
But as a true Indian I am a Value for Money guy. I liked alto800 minus it's low capacity engine and lack of luxury things like slick gear shift and front power steering which are there in alto K10. Previously the crown of 'car enjoy to drive was' on Ford Ikon which I have never drove but whenever I step down from K10 there is smile on my face, joy of driving.
How I accelerated in 3rd gear from 20-30km/hr like a bike through the traffic, or how I ascend a slope leaving behind all diesel cars and some petrol high end cars, or how I enjoyed the Khandala ghat in rainy season. I hate tall boy design because you feel like seating in a bus and body roll and no feel like seating in a car.
Before buying this car I have option to go higher in a hatchback like swift, wagon R, I10, fabia, beat but nobody matched practicality of K10 in a city - 'where Autoriksha can go, K10 goes there', luxury car like feeling. One incident - This monsoon I have gone to Panvel. While coming back there was torrential rain, you cannot see more than 10-15 meter.
In Khandala ghat there was long cues with trucks and big vehicles blocking the roads. But in K10 I can manage the road in any given space and completed the journey in 2 hr (120km) which would have required 4-41/2 hr in that condition.
So my advice for those who love driving is-
a) On budget - stretch your budget to get K10.
b) Within budget - get limited version if available.
c)Loads of money - get K10 as second vehicle for fun driving, practical city car.
d)If both earning - gift to other half as who ever drive will be happy. You may think that I have carried away by the car or biased but I am Happy whenever I step down from a drive - long or short.
Who will probably not be happy with this car - who don't like driving, this is petrol car( whose daily driving is more than 50km but since initial cost is so low you can match ownership cost with any diesel car), tall persons or family with >6 feet height, Older people > 65yrs because of no tall boy design, whose family often go abroad with loads of luggage.
But if only spouse goes out then can fold down internal seat, image conscious who only prefer BMW, Merc, Lot of highway driving in straight roads. What I hate - though this is king of ghats on strait road it shows its limitation and brakes disappoint sometimes. And I feel it's high time for all manufactures to provide airbags and ABS on all vehicles.
Before buying I have gone through automobile site reviews mostly on YouTube and of course MS review. So lets go on drive.......
Wish you all Happy, Prosperous, Healthy new year! Drive safely. Do not drink and drive. Help those Accident victims in time. See you.
