Revamping the looks and putting a new engine in the Alto’s bay is Maruti’s method of making this Indian bestseller even more aspirational
Published on Sep 26, 2010 07:00:00 AM
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Move over to the interior and you’ll find some subtle changes. The most obvious change is the new steering wheel which looks nice and gives you a good grip. The new dials look more upmarket and are easy to read. The dashboard is unchanged and it feels decently put together. But there’s too much of grey plastics and some of the materials used look very cheap. The new seat fabric with its vibrant colour helps liven up the otherwise drab-looking interiors. You sit pretty low in the Alto and due to the low stance of the car, getting in and out is a bit of a chore. With its integrated headrests, the front seats are similar in design to the A-star’s. The seat itself is comfortable but it lacks enough under-thigh support. Seat bolstering is also not the best and you tend to get thrown around on enthusiastic drives.
The increase in the car’s length hasn’t increased the Alto’s interior space. By making scoops in the front seats, Maruti has tried to carve out more kneeroom for the rear passengers. It helps but you have to keep your legs together to make use of it, which is not always comfortable. Headroom is poor and a tall person will mess up his hairstyle. The boot is decent for a compact car though.
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