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Suzuki AltoApril 2009

Recommended.

A characterful city car that proves cheap doesn't have to mean cheerless.

Our rating:

4

User rating:

4_5
Suzuki Alto
 
 

Fifth Gear Suzuki Alto review

 
 
1. Nippy, responsive handling
2. Rev-happy 1.0 litre petrol engine
3. Low running costs

WE DON'T LIKE

1. Dull styling
2. Tiny boot
3. It can't quite break the 100g/km CO2 barrier
 
 

Previous generations of the Suzuki Alto never rose above the level of utility transport, but this one offers both character and a zestful driving experience.

The cutesy front-end styling won't be to everybody's taste, although it does help to distinguish the Alto from its boxier rivals. But behind the elongated headlamps it's sensible and solidly constructed.

The cabin lacks much in the way of toys, but it offers decent space for two adult occupants in the front and the back is fine for kids - although the boot is tiny.

Power comes from a little 1.0 litre three-cylinder petrol engine, and the Alto's low kerbweight allows this to provide both a reasonable turn of speed and some impressive fuel consumption and CO2 figures. There's no doubting that the car is happiest in town, where the peppy power delivery and the car's narrow construction help it to find gaps unavailable to anything bigger. But unlike many of its rivals, the Alto also makes a good go at dealing with life outside derestriction signs.

Decent sound insulation and pliant springs mean that the Alto is well up to dealing with motorway journeys, and although the narrow front tyres lack much grip, the well-mannered chassis and accurate steering mean that it's possible to drive it with far more enthusiasm than you would expect for something so small and cheap.

Equipment levels are respectable, all but the most basic version get aircon and the range-topping SZ4 has stability control. And running costs are impressively low, too thanks to brilliant fuel economy and low insurance costs. It's just a shame the Alto's CO2 emissions are just too high to earn it free road tax.

Fifth Gear overall car ratings

STYLING

At least the headlight treatment shows that Suzuki is trying, although the rest of the car is considerably more conservative.

HANDLING

It's certainly no hot hatch, but the Alto's predictable road manners and zippy responses make it fun to drive in town or country.

COMFORT

Impressively refined for a city car, puts in a tidy performance over rougher road surfaces too.

QUALITY & RELIABILITY

The Alto is built in India and has been designed to withstand the challenges of Indian roads, so it should be more than tough enough to cope with Europe.

PERFORMANCE

Considering the 1.0 litre petrol engine's modest power output, the Alto feels quite quick. It sounds good when you rev it hard, too.

ROOMINESS

Front seat occupants enjoy reasonable space, but it's cramped in the back for adults and the boot is tiny.

STEREO / SAT NAV

The audio system can muster plenty of volume, but it sounds tinny when cranked up. Satnav unavailable.

RUNNING COSTS

The Alto should be one of the cheapest cars on the road thanks to Group 1 insurance, impressive fuel economy and reasonably priced servicing.

VALUE FOR MONEY

Standard equipment isn't particularly generous, but the Alto offers excellent value - especially in its most basic form.

ENVIRONMENT

The Alto's 1.0 litre engine puts in an impressively green performance, but it's a shame that CO2 emissions just miss out on breaking the 100g/km barrier.

This review has been tagged with: Suzuki | Suzuki Alto

 

Average

4_5

User reviews (8)

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Vincent White
5

Vincent White27 January 2010

I'm a big fan ot the TV show !!

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StevieMVS
5

StevieMVS20 February 2010

bought a Suzuki Alto SZ3 a few months ago and wished that I had done this ages ago. The car is a dream compared to the previous car. Apart from being problem-free, the interior finish and dash are much more modern and slick. Outside for me is a super design, particularly the front. The engine is extremely quiet and various little things are on the Alto but not on some of the cars in the same size and price bracket. For example, the interor light automatically comes on when the doors are remotely unlocked or taken out of the ignition, plus the coutesy light works on all four doors, not just the driver's door as on some cars. To me, the Suzuki Alto is a great buy and I would recommend it to anyone wanting a car in this size and price bracket. It beats the competition easily.

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andygls
5

andygls16 June 2010

nice little car with very low fuel consuption equal to the smart mhd!

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Hanivar Cutanda
5

Hanivar Cutanda23 October 2010

I have just both one. so far it accomodates my daily needs of transportation specially in the city. with its compact body i can easily avoid heavy trafic and go for a short/long cut, without worying the gas consumption.

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John Martin
3

John Martin09 February 2011

Can anyone explain why the Suzuki Alto always has such good reviews but the Nissan Pixo (the same car with a different badge) gets such bad reviews?

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This review has been removed.

Hello
3

Hello 03 July 2011

You're right, the Pixo is exactly the same car with worse reviews

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Dr. Norman grant
4

Dr. Norman grant25 August 2011

I just purchased an Alto because I am now living in Spain and wanted to motor from bilbao to Alicante over 500miles across Spain and wanted a car that provided comfort (its got A/C) with over 60miles per gallon on a long run... I thought i would not like it because my other car is a Tuned Mazda RX-7 giving over 400BHP and 0-100mph in 9.7secs. However I think it is Fantasic the long run was completed and low noise drives like a car twice its size the car was loaded with probably over 300Kg of luggage and other things..poor little 1 litre engine coped very well ...on the long motorways easily averaging 80 to 85mph i think its the best small car available....

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