Impressed by Maruti Alto K10 after a test drive but would I buy one

The engine noise in the cabin is minimal and much better than the 3-cylinder engines from Tata Motors.

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I am planning to add a hatchback to my garage for city use and as a backup when my other cars are in for service and repairs. Although Maruti Suzuki (MS) was not initially on my list, I decided to give it a try. I took a test drive of the Alto K10 Vxi AGS and came back impressed.

Appearance

The 2022 Alto K10's look is more akin to the Celerio than the previous generation Alto. I believe it's time for Maruti to load the Alto with more features and discontinue the Celerio. They could introduce Zxi and Zxi Plus variants in the K10, possibly with a larger engine.

Interior Space

The interior space is well-managed. Relocating the power window buttons to the central console has freed up space on the door panels. The car doesn't feel cramped despite its size. Even then everything in the car is within reach, including the passenger side ORVM adjustment knob.

Performance

I didn’t expect such an impressive pickup. The gear shifts are smooth (I never anticipated that for an AMT gearbox) with quick upshifts allowing me to reach 5th gear by the time I hit 60 kmph. When I floored the accelerator, the car downshifted to 4th gear, providing the needed power to overtake. The car consistently downshifts when the accelerator is pressed hard.

Driving Experience

There's a slight jerk during gear shifts if the gas pedal is pressed hard, but if you ease off the gas for a few milliseconds around every 20-30 kmph mark, the car smoothly shifts up. The NVH levels are well-controlled; engine noise in the cabin is minimal and much better than Tata's 3-cylinder engines. Wind noise becomes evident over 80 kmph but is acceptable. The car easily reached 110 kmph, but I didn’t push it further. Brakes have a good bit too. All this is with 3 on board and AC running. The AC was able to cool down the cabin of the sun-baked car in under 5 mins (Good job MS)

City Use

The car is well-suited for city driving with its compact size and basic features sorted. IMHO the Vxi variant offers the best value for money, as the Vxi Plus only adds remote locking and a touchscreen display. The remote can be added later and I see no reason for a touch screen in a car of this size unless one wants a reverse camera. The Alto comes with a convenient mobile mount on the music system, making a mobile screen sufficient for navigation and music.

Accessories

MS offers an impressive and tasteful accessories list for the K10, with the Impacto kit adding a nice touch.

Cons

The steering feels vague and doesn’t return to the center on its own, which is unusual. The sales executive assured me I would get used to it, but I remained skeptical. Additionally, the 145 mm tires need an upgrade.

Final Thoughts

Would I buy one? Yes, I find it to be value for money with reliable and cheap maintenance typical of Maruti. However, my family is not in favor, preferring a safer car like the Tiago, which, for a bit more cost, offers more features and better safety, albeit at the expense of reliability.

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