If you remember some years ago, the Suzuki brand in Malaysia was managed by ‘Lion’ Suzuki. Their last popular small car was the 1-liter Swift 5-door hatchback. This compact car sold in good numbers and till today can be seen being used by many owners with little issues. Many have transplanted Suzuki’s superb 1.3-liter twin cam GTi engine in their cars for more pep and excitement. This is a testament to Suzuki’s brilliant development of small engines that provide good power, economy and reliability. Now comes a new model from Suzuki to tackle the very compact car segment. This is Suzuki’s smallest member in its extensive range, the Alto.
It tips the scales at just 850kg (the weight of the 1st Golf Gti in 1980) and measures 3500mm in length and 1600mm in width and has a wheelbase of just 2360mm. It has a tight, compact turning circle of just 9m. The Alto is only marginally shorter than the Swift, which measures 3755mm long and 1690mm wider.
Despite its diminutive size and light-weight, the Alto makes extensive use of high strength steels that have helped deliver a high four-star crash rating. The Alto is built at Suzuki’s assembly plant in India and it is exported to the Asean region. This allows its pricing to be highly competitive against the 2nd national car project.
Take a walk around the Alto and you will see a very European inspired look, just like the current Swift. The nose is rounded and plump. Move to the side and you get a wedge-shape with a rising shoulder line along the rear door that provides a contemporary look. Move to the rear of the Alto and the rear hatch is somewhat flat with a wide opening hatch.
Inside the Alto you get a cabin that has a high roofline for easier passengers exit and entry. There is an open glovebox and an open slot in the center for your phone and smart-tag. The CD/radio sits high in the center stack and the driver gets a single pod instrument cluster that houses all the necessary information except for the ‘Malaysian loved’ tachometer.
This is why Suzuki Malaysia specified a tachometer from Suzuki Japan and so a motorcycle inspired tachometer pod was installed to the right of the instrument cluster in easy view. It’s installed looking almost like a standard factory item and not an aftermarket plug in.
Rear space is primarily for 2 adult passengers as there is no middle row lap seatbelt. We however managed to get 2 adults and a child in the rear but this is not advisable since there is no middle row lap seatbelt. In the back of the Alto you get a small luggage area with some depth for easy grocery loading. Fold the rear seats and this luggage area gets really roomy for large suitcases and even a small kids bicycle but the loading sill is rather high making it more difficult got weak men or pint sized ladies.
Start the 3-cylinder engine and there is no excitement as this is a EURO4 compliant ready to deliver an outstanding 4.8-liter of fuel for every 100 kilometers driven. This betters some hybrid cars costing 3 times more. It’s a decent drive on the highway with good dynamics up to legal limits. Good news, the engine is not buzzy and annoying at high speeds.
In the city the Alto drives better than some of the segment competitors and offers decent air-conditioning and reasonable sound from the CD/radio unit. Remember, this is a city commuter and not a Swift. Don’t expect too much from the Alto and you will not be disappointed. Simple, its the selling price you need to focus on and its frugal engine. Take the Alto for a test drive and immediately after test drive the immediate competition. Only then will you appreciate its value. The competitor might be cheaper in price, but when you factor in all the positive virtues of the Alto like, fuel efficiency, safety features and CBU value.
Suzuki Alto Specifications
Engine: 3-cylinder DOHC
Capacity: 996cc
Gearbox: 4-speed auto (tested)
Torque: 90Nm @ 4800rpm
Horsepower: 67bhp @ 6000rpm
Fuel Consumption: 4.8 l/100km (manual), 5.5 l/100km (auto)
0-100km/h: 14.0secs
Top Speed: 155km/h as tested
Price: RM46,241 and RM56,501
