Maruti Alto 800 facelift review, test drive

The Maruti Alto 800 so far, did not have any real direct competition. The 800cc Hyundai Eon, also a part of the same segment, wasn’t a serious contender given its high pricing, and the Tata Nano did fail to meet expectations by a huge extent. Today, the entry-level hatchback segment is filling fast with serious contenders. The Renault Kwid has seen massive success, and the soon-to-be launched Datsun Redigo looks promising. As a result, Maruti has given the Alto 800 an update.

The basic design of the car is more or less the same. This means, the Alto 800’s original styling, which includes the high-mounted headlights, a thick C-pillar, and the slightly flared wheel arches are still there. At the rear, details such as the crystal-like tail-lights and some sculpting seen on the hatch are carried forward too. So to find out what’s new, you really need to be an Alto fan.

The updated Alto 800 receives major changes to its nose. The bumper is completely new. A narrow horizontal slit running from headlight to headlight replaces the grille. The headlights now get amber turn indicators in place of the clear-lens units. Also, the trapezoidal air dam has been given a 180-degree flip, making the car look slightly wider than before. There’s a provision for front fog lamps now, but the accessory isn’t offered as standard. At 3,430mm, the updated Alto is now slightly longer than the pre-facelift car, thanks to the new front bumper. Apart from that, the Alto 800’s dimensions remain unchanged.