Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 Review: Prices, Offers, Specs, Mileage & Pics

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 Variants & Features 

All the models of K10 are the same at heart, each powered by the same K-series 998 motor capable of producing 67.1hp. All models have the same 35Ltrs of fuel capacity with a mileage of 23.95 km/L(ARAI). Power Steering has not been offered in the baseline Lx model, while front power windows are only available in Vxi and Vxi AMT trims. There is no USB charger in any model, however, power outlet has been provided in the Vxi and Vxi AMT model.

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There are in total 5 variants available and we would recommend going for the Vxi(o) as it packs all the features such as front power windows and gear shift indicator along with the reliable 5-speed manual transmission.

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 Engine & Performance

Powering this small hatch is Suzuki’s K-Series 3 cylinder engine with a displacement of 998cc and this mill generates 67.1 hp at 6000 RPM and produces 90 NM of torque at 3500 RPM. This motor is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission as standard in all models while 5 speed AMT gearbox which Suzuki calls as “Auto Gear Shift” abbreviated as AGS is available only in Vxi AMT model priced at 4.38 lacs. There is also a CNG model available to mainly cater to the needs of lower running costs.

Suzuki has been very simple in its engine options and especially when it comes to the Indian market. Their first choice for this segment is their K-series engine. This particular engine K10B has been doing well against the competition. It performs brilliantly in the city but lacks the juice to cruise freely on highway speeds. 

On the spec sheet, K10 and RediGO produce almost the same power but it’s the K10 that feels more refined. Kwid having the smallest engine produces the least numbers on paper but in real-world feels just as potent as the other two. All three cars are pretty similar when it comes to performance but due to less brand recognition and cheap-feeling interior, the rediGO faces fewer sales as compared to the Kwid and K10.

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 Acceleration

The new K10 has a very lively and peppy engine. The engine can do 0-100 Kmph in 13.3 seconds which is an appreciable number and can go up to 145 Kmph but can take a lot of effort to go beyond that.

The acceleration figures may seem poor but the K10 was never meant to be a performance car, it’s meant to be a practical vehicle with cheapest running costs possible whilst maintaining unshakeable reliability.

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 Ride & Handling

The K10 has a lively engine with impeccable fuel economy, however, driving comfort, as well as passenger comfort, is sub-par as there is not much space to offer inside the cabin, thus, one can feel uncomfortable at times especially when the rear seat is occupied by three passengers.

In terms of handling and ride quality, the K10 has McPherson Strut suspension with torsion type roll control device and rear coil spring, gas-filled shock absorbers with a three-link axle, and isolated trailing arm suspension with an isolated trailing arm which makes driving a breeze, even on busy roads or streets. 

The ground clearance offered is decent at 160MM which is helpful for typical Indian bumpy roads. There is no top-end punch so highway driving would not be as exciting. However, this small motor is surprisingly responsive in the city with low NVH levels and it gets, even more, exiting with a low turning radius of 4.6m to help you zip on busy roads.

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 Braking 

The Alto K10 offers front disc brakes and rear drum brakes. The competition also provides the same and for a car with this engine and price, it is unnecessary to ask for more than this. However, with safety updates done in 2019, the new models come with ABS-equipped as standard across all the models and which surely helps in braking and makes brakes more reliable. The following is data of brakes of K10 and competition:

In the braking sector, all the cars have equal performance and cannot be much differentiated. However, with lesser weight Kwid and RediGO might stop before than the K10.

Fuel Economy

Fuel economy is a major reason for the monopoly of Suzuki in budget segment cars, especially under 8Lacs. There is no doubt that the Alto K10 is fuel-efficient. The Petrol variant has an outstanding mileage of 23.95Kmpl and the more efficient CNG model has a whopping mileage of 32.26Km/Kg which Suzuki claims to be certified by Test Agency Under Rule 115(G) of CMVR 1989.

The competition such as Renault Kwid is trying to penetrate deeper into the Indian market with better fuel economy as it plays a crucial role in the budget segment car market.

Maruti Alto K10 Interior & Comfort

Although the interior of K10 has not much to offer still there is a semi-digital instrument cluster with a tachometer, speedometer and a few warning lights. There is no screen offered even in the topmost trim whereas the rival Kwid provides a 20.32 cm screen even in its 0.8 L model. There is no automatic dimming rearview mirror and the glove box does not have much space to offer due to the small dashboard. Front power windows are only offered on top of the line Vxi optional and Vxi AMT trims while cup holders are standard for all the models.

Seats are decent with acceptable comfort levels which are expected at this price segment. The headroom offered is decent for average Indian height while legroom and knee room can be an issue for passengers above 5 feet 11 inches. One can appreciate the use of piano black touches in the interior especially on the dash around the infotainment system. The infotainment system is pretty basic - play music via AUX, Bluetooth or CD. The sound system is decent and one can enjoy his or her favorite music without any trouble with sound quality. The AC vents are properly placed and can cool the cabin well enough. The steering wheel has metal inserts which makes it better than the one offered in the Alto 800.

Interior Features

• AC

• Blower

• Infotainment System

• Piano Black Touches

• Power Windows {VXI (O) & VXI AMT}

• Cup Holders

• Rear Headrest

What the infotainment system offers

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 is the basic offering from Maruti and it just offers bare-bones in terms of interior comfort. Only the Vxi variant gets the infotainment system which comes paired with 2-speakers. The quality of the sound system is not something to be discussed as its an entry-level model. Apart from basic features, the sound system has connectivity options of Bluetooth and AUX.

• AUX

• Bluetooth

• Radio

• CD player

• Pre Set Equalizer

Boot capacity

The Alto K10 is not a utility vehicle but for the Indian market, it does need to have a large enough boot space as Indians love to move around things and carry a lot of luggage on trips. The K10 has offers a decent 177 liters of boot space but still fails to outshine the rivals. The Kwid has around 100 liters more boot space to offer which is astonishing for a car of this size and price.

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 Competition check

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 vs Renault Kwid 1.0L

Both cars are doing well enough in the market. The Alto K10 has one the most important aspect of the Indian Automotive market nailed down – ‘brand trust’. While the Renault Kwid has much more to offer than all the cars of the segment. The Alto’s unbeatable reliability along with the tried and tested engine has helped it to beat cars like the Kwid in terms of sales. However, the Kwid is better equipped with features like a touch screen with a better interior layout and exterior design to target younger car buyers. In terms of performance, the K10 engine is much more refined and peppy as compared to the Kwid. But when it comes to highway speeds neither the K10 nor the Kwid does well and seems to struggle past 140Km/hr. 

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 vs Datsun RediGO

Since its beginning, Datsun has been struggling to set its feet in the Indian market due to poor brand recognition. The RediGo may have some better features as compared to the Alto K10 like higher boot capacity but Maruti’s trusted reliability along with a huge service network has made the Alto a go-to option for the consumers in the budget segment.

Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 Final Verdict

With a slew of safety features added to the trusted brand name and proven reliability, the K10 is now safer than ever. However, the car does need some ergonomic updates along with a few interior updates like a touchscreen to make it more appealing to the youth as well. 

Overall, the Alto K10 offers a lot of value for its price but considering what the competition like the Renault Kwid has to offer, the Alto starts to seem ‘lesser’ of the two budget-friendly hatchbacks.