Maruti Alto K10: The Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 has forever been a household name in the entry-level car space in India.
Very popular for its low cost, fuel efficiency and ease of maintenance, the K10 has become a favourite for first-time car buyers and city goers.
StarOfKamal This new #AltoK10 is taking the legacy to a new level with up-to-date features, fresh new looks and a more enhanced driving experience.
With compact SUVs and new age electric options now the competition to small hatchbacks like the K10, the cheap and cheerful Alto K10 even in its middle age continues to stand tall with its no nonsense and value ideology.
Design and Exterior
The new Alto K10 comes with an all-new exterior that makes the car look younger and bolder.
Up front, there is a hexagonal grille, peppy headlamps and a curvier bonnet that has more character.
The flanks are clean and pared back and the rear has updated tail lamps and gentle curves which take the car out of the past.
And, being a small, dinky car it may increase the Alto’s appeal with the youth, although the upcoming K10 is actually attractive.
It still maintains it’s tall-boy stance and semi-circular designs but its dimensions are more compact today and it still remains practical while being young and family friendly.
Interior and Features
Maruti has the cabin right Inside the cabin however, Maruti has made some nice changes.
The dashboard is completely new and comes with a dual-tone layout which makes the cabin feel more airy.
The seats are fine for the everyday city schleps and, as small as the car is, the leg and head room is actually decent for four adults.
As for the features, the new Alto K10 is now equipped with:
7-inch SmartPlay infotainment system (on upper trims)
Supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
Steering-mounted controls
Digital instrument cluster
Manual AC, power windows, and keyless entry (from certain variant)
Although it doesn’t feature any premium feature like push button start or auto climate control, the basics are well covered in top variant.
Engine and Performance
The Alto K10 gets the 1.0-litre K-Series Dual Jet petrol engine that belts out 67 PS and 89 Nm of peak torque.
This motor is a shared unit which is found on other Maruti cars such as the S-Presso and Celerio – and is renowned for its peppy performance and described as fuel efficient.
The new car comes with options of 5-speed manual and 5-speed AMT (automatic) transmission.
The manual feels slick and light to use and even the AMT can ensure stress-free city driving, particularly in stop-and-go traffic.
Thanks its light weight and punchy engine the Alto k10 is the perfect city runabout. It’s no sport bike, but it’s remarkably light and nimble and fun at city speeds.
Fuel Efficiency
Alto K10 – Maruti Suzuki One of the key features of the Alto K10 is outstanding mileage.
The manual will give about 24.4 km/l and the AMT 24.9 km/l, give or take a little for road and driving conditions. This makes it one of the most frugal petrol cars in India now.
Pros
Great for beginners, inexpensive
Outstanding fuel efficiency
Easy to handle Well-suited for the city
Refined and reliable engine
High resale values and low maintenance
AMT option adds convenience
Cons
The back seat is a squeeze for taller riders
Boot not as spacious as it should be for such a big car (214 litres)
Does not comes with advanced features like rear wiper, alloy wheels
Build quality is basic
Not designed for long range comfort or highway cruising
Maruti Alto K10: Conclusion
The Maruti Alto K10 still represents great value for money in small cars.
It has been purpose-built for daily urban commuting and it does this very well, courtesy its frugal engine, small footprint and the usual build quality that Maruti is known for in India.
The Alto K10 is hard to resist for first time car buyers, college students or small families in need of a good city car. It doesn’t overreach — it does what it claims to do, and does it well.