Maruti Suzuki Alto K10

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 review: Peppy urban commuter

The Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 has been a cornerstone in India's automotive landscape, offering affordable and reliable transportation to millions. With this latest iteration, Maruti Suzuki aims to enhance this legacy with a completely redesigned model that promises improved performance, more features, and increased comfort.

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 Design

The Alto K10 departs significantly from its predecessor in terms of design. Built on the Heartect platform, also utilized by the S-Presso, this model showcases a fresh and cheerful appearance. The front fascia features a prominent honeycomb grille flanked by swept-back halogen headlamps, giving the car a friendly demeanor. The sculpted bumper and subtle creases along the sides add a touch of modernity. However, the rear design is relatively simple, with basic tail lamps and a modest bumper. While the overall design is more appealing than before, some elements, such as the small 13-inch wheels, appear undersized and don’t appear proportionate.​

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 Interior

Stepping inside, the Alto K10 presents a functional and straightforward cabin layout. The dashboard is predominantly black with silver accents around the air vents and center console, lending a contemporary feel. Despite these improvements, the cabin materials are primarily hard plastics, reflecting cost considerations. Space remains a constraint, especially in the rear seats, which offer limited legroom and can’t comfortably accommodate taller passengers. The boot space is adequate for daily errands but will fall short for larger luggage needs.​

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 Features and Safety

As for features, the Alto K10 gets a fully digital instrument cluster, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, manual AC, a gearshift indicator, remote central locking and front power windows.

In terms of safety, the Alto K10 comes equipped with dual front airbags, front seat belt pretensioners, ABS with EBD, and rear parking sensors as standard across all variants. However, it's important to note that the Alto K10 has not been tested by NCAP, and it misses out on safety kit like a rear wiper/washer and a dimmer for the internal rear view mirror.

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 Performance and Fuel economy

Under the hood, the Alto K10 is powered by the familiar 1.0-liter K-Series engine, delivering 67hp and 89Nm of torque. This engine stands out for its peppy nature and fuel efficiency. Paired with a 5-speed manual transmission, the Alto K10 feels brisk on the move, making it well-suited for city commutes. An optional AMT (Automated Manual Transmission) is also available for those seeking convenience, though it does exhibit some lag during gear shifts and isn’t as seamless to drive as the manual. There is also a CNG option, paired with the 5 speed manual gearbox, for those who do loads of running and want cheaper running costs.

Fuel economy remains one of the Alto K10's strong suits. The manual variant boasts an ARAI-rated mileage of 24.39 km/l, while the AMT version slightly improves this figure to 24.90 km/l.

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 Ride and Handling

The Alto K10’s lightweight construction contributes to agile handling, and its small footprint allows you to navigate through tight urban spaces with ease. However, at higher speeds, the Alto K10 feels less planted, and the ride can become unsettled over uneven surfaces. Noise insulation is minimal, with engine and road noise permeating the cabin, which could affect comfort during longer journeys.​

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 Pricing and Verdict

The Alto K10 is available in multiple variants, with prices starting at Rs 4.23 lakh for the base model and going up till Rs 6.20 lakh for the range-topping VXi (O) CNG variant.

The Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 is an honest car that delivers on all its promises. Yes, there are several compromises, notably a lack of overall space and it’s no longer as affordable as it once was. But the core values of the Alto still remain intact. It’s an incredibly stress free car that’s easy to live with, easy to drive and cheap to own and run. It is surprisingly capable too in all environments, which makes it a good all-purpose car that first time car buyers will certainly appreciate. The new design and added features have injected a fresh dose of appeal which will surely win more buyers.

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