Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 is one of those cars that could be called the best-selling car in India and perhaps has been so for the longest period in India’s automobile history.
Alto 800 symbolizes affordability, reliability, and its fuel efficiency so much so that due to its compact size, this is the first car for millions of Indian families, it is known for easy maneuverability and very low running costs and is perfect for budget-conscious buyers as well as urban commuters.
The Maruti Alto 800 continues to do a great job in the entry-level hatchback car segment, as well as with new updates.
We shall here discuss the key features of this car-to-be, which consist in design, performance, fuel efficiency, safety, and features of technology, and why it remains one of the favorites in India to date.
Design is changed in Maruti Alto 800
The Maruti Alto 800 looks modest and practical, and this philosophy has been extended into the new Maruti Suzuki.
There is undoubtedly something likable about this car, but for all the bland lines of a premium hatchback, the plain looks are unlikely to make the Alto 800 the sexiest car on the road.
But, really, that’s not how a first-time buyer is going to choose the Alto 800.
It is a car intended to be practical – small dimensions both in and out mean it is less intimidating to drive in heavy city traffic, easier to manoeuvre around parking lots, and less conspicuous on the road.
At the front, the new Alto 800 has a bold new grille and redesigned headlamps which give the car a fresh, modern look.
The bumper too is reworked with sharply cut lines giving it a slightly aggressive stance compared to its predecessor.
The wide grille, despite the car’s small size, still makes it look fairly well-balanced. Its compact hood and rather stubby front end make it aerodynamically efficient, hence performance and fuel economy.
The silhouette from the side lines is still straightforward and ordinary; it does not sport anything flashy because it wears a clean, no-frills look to itself.
Size has been kept small so that it will fit easily into tight spaces, such as in city traffic or narrow parking slots. Standard would be the 13-inch steel wheels, which might not look fancy but give a stable ride.
The rear of the vehicle is minimalist in nature, with a new tailgate and redone tail lamps-so it looks fresh without straying too far from its traditional look.
There’s enough practicality in Alto 800’s design so as not to look too fancy. But then, that is exactly what the buyer in this segment really needs-a completely reliable, fully functional car that should deliver on the essentials.
Interior: Legroom and Headroom space is full with luxury –
The exterior of the Alto 800 is sleek and compact; however, when you step inside, the cabin surprises you with the fact that it is very spacious for its size.
The cabin design emphasizes maximization of the available space and passengers as well as cargo. The cabin layout is rather simple yet effective. Everything is placed within easy reach of the driver.
The dashboard design is basic and practical; in its higher variants, it boasts a two-tone theme that instills a bit of premium feel.
Centre console houses the essentials, though with manual music system and USB as well as AUX connectivity and air conditioning controls are only available to be manually varied.
Steering wheel in Alto 800 is small, light, and just easy to handle, making life ever so comfortable to drive in congested urban areas.
Seats, of course are not as well padded, say, in other more expensive cars, but do serve quite well in terms of comfort for a quick run about town or cross-country.
The fabric upholstery used here is durable and easy to clean – great for a car that will probably be driven daily.
Front seats are very supportive, while the bench rear seat provides adequate room for two adults and a child. But three adults sitting at the back would feel a bit cramped, especially for long journeys.
Despite its compact size, boot space is sufficient with 177 liters to accommodate several bags or grocery shopping.
Besides, by folding down the rear seat, luggage capacity extends further, thus making it useful for small families or individuals who travel alone.
Maruti Alto 800 Mileage is 22.05 kmpl –
Powering the Maruti Alto 800 is a very tried-and-tested 796cc, three-cylinder petrol engine. This produces 47.33 bhp of power at 6,000 RPM and 69 Nm of torque at 3,500 RPM.
On paper, it may seem a little weak, but judging for its size, and for what this particular car’s purpose is, it just needs to be. The 5-speed manual transmission makes smooth shifts; hence, the car can be driven in both urban and occasional highway driving conditions.
Overall, it is one feature that has had the Alto 800 stand out positively for years and is the impressive fuel efficiency.
The mileage is almost 22.05 km/l for the petrol variant, one of the most efficient in class vehicles on the market, which helps save running costs-an essential selling point for cost-effective buyers.
An even more economical variant is now available with the CNG variant of Alto 800 by Maruti Suzuki.
The mileage for the CNG variant comes out around 31.59 km/kg, and hence it emerges as one of the most fuel-efficient options in the daily commutes.
This variant is a favorite of commuters and commercial users primarily due to the drastic reduction in the fuel consumption.
Alto 800 is a performance car for the city. The compact size-including lightweight body-is quite manageable in heavy traffic situations.
The light steering and small turning radius make this compact car take sharp U-turns without any hassle, and perhaps the parking maneuvers will be relatively easier.
Of course, it is not the quickest option on the highway, but it ensures a comfortable ride and is smooth, taking into account that most of its target buyers will not drive it at high speeds very often.
Safety: 2 Air Bags is delivered in Maruti Alto 800 –
At the moment, Maruti Suzuki is doing its best to make the safety features of Alto 800 as modern as possible.
However, in contrast to what a majority of automobile makers give, this does not offer a plethora of thoroughly advanced safety features in this vehicle. Instead, it has elementary components for safe driving.
The car features dual front airbags as a standard fit on all variants, thus providing basic protection in case of a crash for the driver as well as the front passenger.
Besides this, the ABS with EBD fitted with Alto 800 prevents the locking of wheels during emergency braking and enables the car to stay in control on slippery road surfaces.
Lastly, the reverse parking sensor is an integral safety feature-the car will assist the driver in reversing into tight parking spaces or a crowded area.
Alto 800 has seatbelt reminders for both the driver and co-passenger as well as high-speed alerts where it alerts the driver if the car exceeds a threshold speed limit.
Alto 800’s body structure has been strengthened for crash safety norms, so the car gives more rigid, robust impact protection in case of an accident. Despite not being as highly loaded in safety features as premium cars, Alto 800 gives enough to provide peace of mind even for daily commuters and rookie drivers.
Technology: Latest Features is Updated with New Technology –
As much as the Alto 800 is just a simple car, it does not boast many features, but it does have enough tech features to make life easier for the drivers.
With higher variants, it does bring support for music systems with USB, AUX, and Bluetooth connectivity for the driving pleasure of the drivers.
The instrument cluster was analog, consisting of speedometer, fuel gauge, and odometer. Isn’t it wonderful that it is a digital display? Anyway, the job gets done and is easy to read.
The manual air-conditioning has been very efficient to keep the cabin cool without any problem during the peak summer months. The controls are simple enough for drivers to change the temperature as and when required.
Maruti Alto 800 competition with Renault Kwid –
Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 is a low-range hatchback; it’s priced low and targeted at budget-conscious buyers, particularly young professionals, first time car owners, and small families.
The car has such a low price tag with excellent fuel efficiency and cheap maintenance costs, this car is one of the most tempting budget cars for first-time buyers looking for reliability and affordability.
Competitively, Alto 800 competes with Renault Kwid, Datsun Redi-Go, and Hyundai Santro, but at this price, Alto 800 remains an important player in the market due to the brand value, a very wide service network, and good resale value. The car is priced between INR 3.5 lakh to INR 4.7 lakh (ex-showroom) and gives tremendous value for money.
The Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 has dug its way into a niche as India’s quintessential small car.
It meets the criteria of being affordable, reliable, and fuel efficient in a package that is perfect for daily commuting and city driving. Recently, Maruti Suzuki updated the Alto 800 to keep it relevant in today’s rapidly changing market.
For a mass-appeal entry-level hatchback that requires easy maintenance and has less hassle in driving, the Maruti Alto 800 is probably one of the best options available in the market today.
Simplicity, coupled with the immense service network of Maruti and that all-important trust, makes this car hard to beat in its class.