Suzuki Alto Review & Road Test
August 28, 2009 by Matt Brogan
2009 Suzuki Alto GL Review & Road Test
It’s not the size of the dog in the fight…
Model Tested:
- 2009 Suzuki Alto GL; 1.0-litre, three-cylinder, petrol; five-speed manual; five-door hatch – $12,490*
Options:
- Metallic Paint $475 (Fitted – Fortune Rose)
Fuel economy; price; eager performance
No ESC; boot space; open storage areas
CarAdvice Rating: 
By Matt Brogan
When it comes to saving a buck, buying new is often a trap when it comes to small cars with price tags that just seem to creep forever northward – not to mention their physical size.
So when it comes to buying something that won’t break the bank, yet still ticks all the boxes in terms of safety, performance and economy, this end of the scale could well be considered slim pickings – until now.
The Suzuki Alto sits in the sub-light category beneath such players as Holden Barina, Ford Fiesta and its sibling the Swift to fill a void that was until now met by only one other challenger – the Proton Savvy.
Suzuki’s latest effort, the Indian built Alto, revives a nameplate that dates back to the two-stroke models of the late 1970s, which in turn replaced Suzuki’s Fronte badge.
Alto’s have always been a rather basic offering and in comparison to other cars on the road the same is true today, but that doesn’t mean this latest comer is a bare-bones budget bomb you wouldn’t let you dog sleep in, no, this amiable little character actually boasts a lot of merit, and not all of it in the fiduciary department either.
Despite its minimalist exterior proportions you’ll find Alto’s cabin is actually rather spacious thanks to some clever packaging techniques, and although it’s hardly the Taj Mahal, does provide enough interest through its two-toned decor and blend of colours to make for a cheerful occupation.
One of the first things I noticed, in addition to the omission of a tachometer (only available in GLX models), was the lack of a day-night mirror on my evening commute home. Given the Alto’s short stance this meant copping a lot of headlight reflection, and in turn, more looking around the cabin. In fact the more I looked, the more I discovered this wasn’t the only thing missing.
The small but well-heeled cabin also features a dashboard sans lidded glove box with instead, as I dubbed it, a glove bucket filling the void. Alto also misses out on power exterior mirrors and rear power windows as well as any form of remote boot opening, you’ll need the key for that one.
On the glass-half-full side though Alto does include front power windows, air-conditioning, power steering and a MP3/WMA compatible single CD tuner with auxiliary jack, and perhaps surprisingly, offers accommodating seats for four passengers with ample space in all dimensions.
The one small area you may find a little close for comfort is the proximity of the passenger’s knee to the gear lever, but a little manoeuvring from the left seat can sort this one out rather readily.
The cabin is quiet when cruising too managing an impressive 72dB at 100km/h, but under heavy acceleration, the sub-litre unit can prove a little vocal and at idle, is a little lumpy.
When it comes to engines this remarkable little 996cc, three-cylinder offering epitomises the old adage about the size of the dog in the fight, punching well above its weight when it comes to “on paper” results.
With a mere 50kW/90Nm on offer in full swing the Alto may not seem like a solid performer, but thanks to a low kerb weight of 880kg and a well cogged gearbox, the little Suzuki offers an eagerness about its performance not dissimilar to that of the original Mini – even with four adults on board.
Sure you’ll need to keep it on cam to maintain uphill flow with highway traffic, but around town the Alto sings through traffic with ease, and best of all, our week saw an average fuel return of 4.95L/100km through mixed urban and freeway driving – that’s only 0.15 litres more than the ADR claimed average!
It’s a nimble handling little number too with a rather advanced strut front/multi-link rear suspension arrangement shaming bigger, more expensive cars not only in terms of handling, but in providing a comfortable ride as well.
Mid-corner lumps and bumps don’t seem to unsettle the Alto from its intended course at all though a stiff breeze can make spanning a large bridge a somewhat nervous proposition.
Never fear because in addition to the Alto’s quick steering and stop-on-a-dime braking safety is about as good as you can get in this category with such standard features as dual front, side and curtain airbags, disc/drum brakes with ABS, EBA and EBD to provide the baby Suzuki with a four-star ANCAP rating.
Unfortunately the Australian GL variant of Alto excludes Electronic Stability Control (ESC), which earns it a five-star rating in Europe, although ESC is standard on the GLX model.
Up back the Alto offers a cargo capacity of 110 litres, which although a little tight, can be expanded thanks to a 50:50 split fold rear seat and was even big enough to carry the step ladder we use for our photography.
At the end of an entertaining week with the Alto, even if Fortune Rose wasn’t my first pick in colour, the pint-sized pink pill box has proved its worth as a city car that boasts a lot of personality as well as an ego to challenge even the fittest of next-sized rivals.
Sure, it’s not going to set your world on fire but if you’re hunting the low end of the market, be sure to add this one to the test drive list.
- To read about our Suzuki Alto 12 Hour Economy Challenge, click here.
*Pricing is a guide as recommended to us by the manufacturer.
Ratings:
CarAdvice Overall Rating:
How does it Drive: 
How does it Look:
How does it Go:
Road Test the Rivals:
Specifications:
- Engine: 996cc DOHC three-cylinder (12-valve)
- Power: 50kW @ 6000rpm
- Torque: 90Nm @ 3400rpm
- Induction: Multi-point
- Transmission: Five-speed manual
- Driven Wheels: Front
- Brakes: Disc/Drum with ABS, EBA & EBD
- Top Speed: 150km/h (Claimed)
- 0-100km/h: 14.0 seconds (Claimed)
- CO2 Emissions: 113g/km
- Fuel Consumption: 4.80 litres per 100km (ADR combined)
- Fuel Consumption: 4.95 litres per 100km (as tested)
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 35 litres
- Fuel Type: 95-98RON petrol
- ANCAP Rating: Four star
- Airbags: Dual front, side and curtain
- Safety: N/A
- Spare Wheel: Full-size steel
- Suspension: Strut(F)/multi-link(R)
- Cargo Capacity: 110 litres (seats up)
- Payload: 370kg
- Tow Capacity: N/A
- Turning Circle: 9.0 metres
- Warranty: Three year/100,000km
- Weight: 880kg (Tare)
- Wheels: Steel 14-inch
A good looking little bugger, and brands costing twice the price don’t have as much character. Also, brands of all kinds could take a lesson in steering wheel simplicity. This example is the best I’ve seen in a while.
By the way, I meant Mercedes in particular. Their current steering wheel designs are a blobby mess, with more buttons than it is possible to use while driving.
The best thing Suzuki ever did was put disc brakes up front.
The earlier models were drums all-round and never inspired any confidence, not to mention the squealing!
If you need a new car, if it doesn’t need to be big and it must be cheap, you can’t go wrong here.
The GLX has ESC standard
I can’t find RPM gauge on the picture! It is weird. Does anyone know about it?
It says there is no tacho in the article.
The GL model (tested) has no tacho or ESP, but it is standard for the GLX model.
I really like this car but i just can’t understand not giving it a tacho.
These type of cars are the ones that really need one!
I would love to get one of these for my girlfriend to replace her Matiz, she just refuses to accept that the matiz needs to be replaced .
I just don’t like her driving around in a tiny car with only one aribag and no abs or anything.
Why dont we get any CHOICE of engines in Australia? The Toyota Yaris in some markets are sold with a 1.0L, 1.3L or 1.5L engine. And the Honda Jazz in India can be had with a 1.2L, 1.3L or 1.5L engine. Here we only get 1.3L or 1.5L!
Given that these cars are not made in Australia, how hard is it to offer us a choice in engines like they do in other markets???
A few lads with a few beers in em on a Saturday night – flip em over no problems!!! Looks like they just stuck in a motorbike engine. If you want a cheap disposable car – buy a nano.
I agree Maneesh, there should be a bigger engine option, surely the jimny 1.3vvt engine could bolt straight in!!
In India, where this car is built, they sell Suzuki Splash with a 1.2L engine, i am sure that would easily fit into this one, seeing that they are both about the same size…
perhaps they can offer an “Alto Sport” model similar to Swift Sport! hehehe
Absi,
If they sell the Splash with a 1.2L engine in India, and the Alto only with the 1.0L I believe it means you can’t have a 1.2L Alto.
This will be a complete and total flop. Australia just does not have right demographic or population for these sub light cars. In the showroom you will spend more than $15k to drive one out the door. That’s about the same price you will pay for a Swift. It needs to be $9,990 Drive Away IMO. And come with a free I pod or laptop.
i like it! but i don’t want to go ‘backwards’ in power from my current car (Starlet)… hard to believe there’s something slower than it, haha!
*thumbs up* for Suzuki anyway!
the salesman, I think thats a bit harsh!, I think there is a market for this sort of car in oz, but I Believe they should be about $12,990 drive away rrp!!! and no met paint charge, then they would be a well priced, cheap to run car, or $14,990 with a 1.34cyl engine..
The engine looks like a vaccum cleaner!
went to suzuki a few weeks ago, asked if anyone’s bought this car, they said yeah, all girls
Maneesh, it all comes down to cost. Adding just one more engine choice and you have another 4 – 8 models to keep in stock and manage. Add in the colour choices and options, there would be too many variants. The dealer would have to put more effort, resource and time to forecast demand, manage stock level. In another word, the more engine choices, the more risk there is. Australia doesn’t have a big population to negate that risk.
Nearly $500 for the paint job is hefty. I wouldn’t spend more for a car this cheap.
Isn’t Holden going to re-introduce the Matiz soon?
OSU811,
I should clarify. Their no market for this car at the price they are asking. I should proof read my comment before submitting .
It is just a little better equipped than the TaTa Nano, so why is it so much more expensive?
Salesman, just to understand your point, which I don’t, what else can you get for the same price or cheaper that offer the value that this car does? Barina? Getz? They have no safety features whatsoever and they also use more fuel. And don’t tell me they have bigger engines because you know this is a city car, made for stop start driving so it makes absolutely no difference if you have more power or not, and the fuel economy is far more important.
By the way, the comparison with the Nano is complete nonsense.
If it was made in japan then perhaps the price could be justified. U can buy a Getz driveaway for this price at the moment.
There are two groups of people currently buying the Altos. First (and the largest) group, are the more elderly ‘empty nest egg’ families, where all kids have left the home, and all they need is a small run about town car, which is cheap to buy, small for ease of parking, super economical to run, have good safety credentials and to be envioromentally friendly as well!
Second group, are the younger college/university students, (mainly ladies), who wants a ‘chick looking’ cute car, which is cheap to buy and run and will get parent’s approval for the safety aspects of ABS/EBD/EBA Brakes, or stretch the budget to the GLX which even gives TCS/ESP Stability Control. What other cars in that price range gives you all that?
For those who have not driven one, dont pass judgement or make cynical comments till you have taken one for a drive. See the way it handles going round corners or over train tracks/speed humps, drive on the motorway or accelerating off the lights…You will be pleasantly surprised. I must admit, I was!
G,
It is just too expensive. In this market if you wish to part with $16k you have a plethora of economical cars to choose from. Fuel difference is negligible.
Cast your mind back to Daewoo Matiz, Daihatsu Charade/Sirion the sub light category has never been successful in Australia.
R.R.P $12,490.00
Metallic $400.00
Sub Total $12,890.00
Dealer Del $2,195.00
Stamp Duty $258.00
Rego $331.00
C.T.P $340.00
On Road $16,014.00
If Salesman is quoting $16014 for a Base Mdl Alto GL Manual, then its overpriced!
At present, Suzuki is advertising them at $14990 Drive Away, on-the-road, no more to pay, for one without Metallic Paint. Realistically, if you are ready to put pen-to-paper at a dealership to buy one, I will be surprised if the salesperson will not sell you one with metallic at that price, without charging you $400 for the paint!
Compared to its “competitors”, (which are the Getz & Barina), do keep in mind that at RRP prices, the Alto is still the “absolute cheapest car” for sale in Australia. It so happens that the competitors are having a promotion at present and are selling them at “free drive away” prices. That is why they are cheaper at present, but it wont be for long once the promotion is over and they are all back to normal prices….not to mention the fact that the Alto has got 5 doors, compared to only 3 for the base models of the competitors. Also, ABS/EBD/EBA and 6 airbags are standard at that price!
Point of correction: The Alto was only rated three stars for safety by Euro NCAP and not five stars as stated in the article.
http://www.euroncap.com/result.....o/362.aspx
Carlover,
Agree with you 100%.
And there’s more. The advertised price is $14,990 driveaway, and this is real price for a brand new model, while the others are selling at promotional prices. Not to mention most of them have been around for a number of years, so they will have worse resale values as soon as their upgrades are released.
A friend negotiated one for $13300 drive away!
Still to expensive I think. This car should be $12k drive-away but the greedy importer Ateco want’s to cash in on cheap Indian labour. A Japanese built Swift can be had for under $17k drive away so why bother with the Alto at its current sub $15k drive away price, but at $12k the Alto would be a winner.
Carlover and G
Kia Rio 5 doors, $12,990.00 drive away.5 year’s warranty. As i said this market is already filled with better value cars.
I don’t see how Suzuki can justify the price. Especially when you consider the labor costs.
will there be an alto works version?
Just picked our GL up on Christmas Eve. Still a little bit doubtful about the purchase, but as Matt B says this little car grows on you. We bought it for fuel economy and to squeeze into our narrow driveway that has a small dog leg to the left so that we can back either car out and it worked a treat. In regard to fuel economy I am going to see how accurate the published and reviewed data is. I did read one review by a guy in Queensland who could not believe that after driving it like an 18 yr old for a day, the rating came in at 3.5/100. I want to see if ours can achieve that.
I had many doubts about this car when hearing about it but now I think it can really work. The Auto is virtually a no-no but with the manual gearbox a modern 3-cyl engine, light weight and what looks like a well-laid out and looking interior it should be a nice little car to own. Lets see how it goes I guess.
They’re currently 12499 drive away.
If you’ve driven one they’re better than expected. Do 150 and are quiet at 100 and maintain it easy with a downshift or two. The car is geared higher than expected. 3.99km per 100k on a drive Adelaide to Darwin.
I’ve got my eye on a demo (50km’s – yes just 50) for $11750 with metallic paint driveaway. Using for long distance highway work – it will do just fine.
15000k service intervals too.
The clincher – all 09 models come with a 5 year 130 000km warranty.
I’m just about certain I’ll grab one. I’ll give it a good run (getting a tow bar and towing with it too) and post reports up on the web.
Rob.
Change the above. After much hunting no tow bar made for it. Roof racks and a pod it will have to be.