[rajeev k]

Both the engines are somewhat similar. Eon's three port is derived from the Santro's 4cyl one where as Wagon R's 4cyl is derived from Alto's three pot.That apart my money is with Alto if it is winter, roads are plane and only two on board.

[misquitas]

The votes seem evenly split at this point in time and it is clear the both cars have strengths. I'm listing some of them:

ALTO800

* A simple, no nonsense car.
* Tried and tested product
* Reliable engine
* Cheap to service
* Easy to maintain

EON

* Premium look for an entry hatch
* Great interiors
* Great boot space
* A capable 800cc engine
* Powerful AC

For many, an 800cc car is still considered the entry car and hence, the debate.

[headbanger]

I voted for Alto800.
The reason- I have seen it abused to the hilt and even then it just goes on and on. IMO, the most important criterion for an entry-based car in Indian subcontinent is the maintenance+running cost of car. And here Alto is a champion.
Add to that, the general "word of mouth"- Maruti has a superb brand value in hatchback segment.
Over the last couple of years, outrageous costs of Hyundai service have done them no good.
So even if Eon as a package might be better than Alto800, its the confidence Alto800 gives which makes it a better choice.

[Car-Agey]

Both cars are 800cc. If I am looking for a budget car, I will not pick any of the two. I will go for a Nano, yes there are a few things missing in it, but still it is a great car for the price. If I like to spend a littel more, may be the estilo will be my choice. Knowing Hyundai services and maintanance cost I would not touch the Eon. So I voted for Alto 800.

[reignofchaos]

I'd rather spend a bit more and get a Spark or Beat. Both are far better packages than both the listed options. The spark doesn't cost much more either.

[HammerHead]

I would ask why only Alto or Eon? Why not look at other options in that segment or price point to be more precise?

I'm not sure how good/bad is Eon, isn't these 2 better then Alto800?
- Santro
- Spark

[shineshine]

I had a test drive of EON sometime back and found to be one of my favorite for worst drivable car contest.

EON simply completely lacks the torque which it needs to tackle inclines. There's an incline behind my office for some 200 mtrs and it didn't take that in 2nd gear!. I tried up-shifting to second 5 times and every time when I up-shifted, it stopped midway and every time I had to slip the clutch to avoid rolling down.

EON is clearly a NO NO for ghat region where Alto fares little bit better.

[misquitas]

Originally Posted by reignofchaos

I'd rather spend a bit more and get a Spark or Beat. Both are far better packages than both the listed options. The spark doesn't cost much more either.

Originally Posted by HammerHead

I would ask why only Alto or Eon? Why not look at other options in that segment or price point to be more precise?

I'm not sure how good/bad is Eon, isn't these 2 better then Alto800?
- Santro
- Spark

The aim of this thread was mainly to debate on the two 800cc hatches available across the country (hence, Maruti800 was left out). The idea was not to include 1.0L, 1.1L or 1.2L hatches in this debate, even if they may belong to the same segment, may cost almost the same or may offer as much VFM as the 800cc hatches.

Hence the topic, "Which is your ideal 800cc hatch?" So, instead of offering other alternatives, I would, instead, request you all to imagine for a moment that you were planning to buy an 800cc and you had two options at hand: the Maruti Alto800 or the Hyundai Eon. Which car would you prefer? And why?

[siedo]

I test driven eon for a friend couple of days back my opinion bout engin us same as expressed by many other members . We even enquired with the SE if the car is properly serviced or not because of engin noise .
interiors are very good and attention is provided to detail.

i will any day go for alto over eon for engin alon .
it is a half hearted effort from hyundai on engin front!

[arun_josie]

Voted for Alto.

But I think its not fair comparing the dated Alto 800 Vs the new generation Eon. May be when the Next Gen 800 is launched it can be compared with Eon. Alto is in a segment were people are very money conscious and will be looking for a proven model with very good service network + cheaper spare parts + less maintenance cost. Obviously Alto scores here and it reflects in the sales chart as well.

[vinya_jag]

Voted for the Alto. The older gen though.
We have one from 2008, and it has gone pretty much everywhere. Got hit every inch of its underbody. Hit speed breakers without slowing down. Revved to the limit many times. Yet it does not complain. Niggle free [Or we dont mind the niggles at that cost]

New Gen Altos are very much built to cost. Thin clutch pads, bare basic seats, paltry instrument cluster. But I still feel that its packaged better than the Eon. Better space utilization, better all round visibility. More shoulder space. Better ingress/Egress.

Eon? Only if it had a little more space on the inside.

[k2max6]

Originally Posted by misquitas

The votes seem evenly split at this point in time and it is clear the both cars have strengths. I'm listing some of them:

ALTO800

* A simple, no nonsense car.
* Tried and tested product
* Reliable engine
* Cheap to service
* Easy to maintain

EON

* Premium look for an entry hatch
* Great interiors
* Great boot space
* A capable 800cc engine
* Powerful AC

For many, an 800cc car is still considered the entry car and hence, the debate.

Alto also has a good AC. Although i doubt if EON's AC is good enough as the recent offerings from Hyundai viz the i10 & i20 don't give sufficient cooling for the delhi summers.

[CARDEEP]

Voted for the Eon, as it is the simply much better over A800. Managed to race with few Eons on Petrol & my Santro on CNG on the highway yesterday.

The A(K10) is a different species when compared to Eon & could have made the decision tougher.

But, for a family of 4 grown-up with luggage Eon is definitely the better choice IMO.

[rohan_iitr]

Originally Posted by vinya_jag

But I still feel that its packaged better than the Eon. Better space utilization, better all round visibility. More shoulder space. Better ingress/Egress.

Eon? Only if it had a little more space on the inside.

Please tell me you are joking.

There is no way in the world that Alto can be called more spacious than Eon.

Rohan

[ani_meher]

None actually, I would go for Spark in similar budget But since the question is strictly between these two, I would say Alto. A proven engine without Hyundai's 800cc vibrations. Eon is little bit too stylized for the size. Also the package is costly. Also AFAIK the price difference is pretty high between comparable Alto and Eon. So I'll choose Alto, or upping the budget, the Spark. Definitely not Eon.