2009 Suzuki Alto Reviews

The on-going quest to reduce fuel consumption was always going to throw up a car like the Suzuki Alto, a tiny hatch with a miniscule engine that could provide the answer for anyone looking to slash their fuel bills.NEWAs much as many tried to laugh it off, the India-made midget was no joke; it was a serious little car that really did ask the question of those serious about cutting their running costs.When launched it was presented as the first of a new generation of micro models that were expected to land here from places like China, Korea and India. That hasn't yet eventuated, leaving Suzuki alone to seed the market.The Alto measured a mere 3500 mm long and 1600 mm wide and weighed just 850 kg. But that didn't mean it was compromised when it came to safety. Through the use of high-strength steels Suzuki and a power of electronics has managed to achieve a creditable 4-star safety rating from ANCAP.When launched the base model GL didn't have electronic stability control, to get that you had to go upmarket to the GLX. That was rectified in 2010 when ESP was added to the entry model. Power came from a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine that generated 50 kW at 6000 rpm and 90 Nm at 3400 rpm.That meant it had to be revved to get the most out of it, which was something new to owners who were used to larger engines with enough torque to pull from lower revs. While the fuel economy - 4.8L/100km with the manual 'box - was admirable it lost a little of its gloss when it was realised that it required the more expensive premium unleaded.Two transmissions were offered, a five-speed manual that delivered the best fuel consumption, and a four-speed auto. Despite its small size the Alto offered reasonably comfortable accommodation, at least for some. Front seat passengers had good head and legroom, those in the back were a little cramped and the boot was small.The equipment level was quite good given its modest price tag. The GL had air-conditioning, CD sound, MP3 connectivity, remote central locking and power front windows, while the GLX had all of that plus alloys, fog lights, six speakers and tachometer.NOWFour years on from the launch and on the whole things appear to be going swimmingly for the little Suzuki. Suzuki is renowned for building quality small cars that punch well above their weight, and that seems to be true of the Alto.Owners are generally content with their decision to buy the budget hatch, which is delivering the promised fuel economy while at the same time giving little trouble. The thing most complained about is a lack of performance, but that appears to be more about the driver than the car. Most of those who complain have stepped down out of a larger car with a bigger engine that doesn't need to be revved the way the Alto's does to extract its zip.Most people also go for the auto transmission, which adds to the dull feel of the car off the line. There have been a couple of recalls of the GF Alto. The first was in 2009 and related to a wiring problem that could cause the stoplight to cease functioning.The second, in 2010, related to a potential fuel leak during refuelling. While the trade gives the Alto a big tick of approval, it comes with a warning about servicing. It's vital that the oil be changed as recommended; skipping oil changes is a recipe for an expensive engine meltdown. Cheaper cars tend to be the most neglected when it comes to maintenance, so check the service record to make sure everything is up to scratch.SMITHY SAYSNeed a run-about that's easy on the wallet? Give the Alto a go.Suzuki Alto 2009-2011Price new: $12,490 to $16,490Engine: 1.0-litre 3-cylinder, 50 kW/90 NmTransmission: 4-speed auto, 5-speed man, FWDEconomy: 4.8 L/100 km (man), 5.5 L/100km (auto)Body: 4-door hatchVariants: GL, GLXSafety: 4-star ANCAP.COMING UPDo you own a Jeep Compass? If so tell us what you think of it by sending your comments to Graham Smith at grah.smith@bigpond.com or Carsguide, PO Box 4245, Sydney, NSW, 2010. 

When I was a kid we used to play a game to while away the hours of long, boring road trips called Spotto.  Think of it as a version of the better known I Spy. The aim was to be the first to spot number plates starting with a certain letter, or an orange car or a driver wearing a hat. You get the picture.There's a modern-day version: trying to guess where a car is made. It's not an easy game to play. Australia now imports vehicles from at least 27 countries.  Some are bleedin' obvious like Japan, France and Sweden. But try China, Turkey, Spain, Slovak Republic, the Czech Republic and Brazil and you get an idea of just how global we have become in our car tastes.Which neatly brings me to Suzukis Alto, the pint-sized hatch which is cheap and cheerful and affordable to run? No, its not made in Japan, but India.  Small car specialist Suzuki has neatly shoe-horned the Alto into the light car market, one of the fiercest battlegrounds where car sales are won or lost on price.While there's a bevy of cars that sell for under $20,000, there are six that break the $15,000 barrier. The Alto has the honour of being Australia's cheapest car for now at $12,490. Other cheapies are Hyundai's Getz and Proton's Savvy ($13,990), Holdens Barina ($14,790) and Kia's Rio and Protons Satria ($14,990). Some offer drive-away or special deals so pricing is a guide only.Suzuki's claim to fame as being the cheapest will soon be shot down by Proton whose S16 sedan will be priced at $11,990 drive-away when it goes on sale next month.  So it is no surprise to see Suzuki fighting hard to get the Alto name up front in the marketplace. The company recently entered the micro in the Global Green Challenge, a gruelling 3000km fuel economy run from Darwin to Adelaide.Where at one point it returned a remarkable 2l/100km and the whole journey, according to Suzuki, cost less than $160. That's getting down to the figures you would expect to see in a hybrid. Amazing stuff. Fit-out and equipmentSo is the Alto, for the price, cheap and nasty transport? Far from it, but the little hatch is built to a price point so it's no surprise so find plenty of hard plastic in the cabin. It's a small car so back seat leg room is compromised and the seats are lacking in support.Standard kit is a bit of an odd mix. You get manual door mirrors (and I can't remember the last time I drove a car with those) but Suzuki wisely has ticked the boxes for most of the desirable stuff like air conditioning, central locking and power windows.You get power steering, disc brakes up front and old fashioned drums in the rear and a basic suspension design.  The entry $12,490 GL model gets steel wheels, remote central locking, electric front windows, air conditioning, two-speaker CD audio with MP3 input, abundant cup holders and storage bins, split folding back seat and luggage load cover.On the safety front, there are six airbags, two child seat anchorages, anti-lock brakes and an engine immobiliser.  Spend two grand more for the GLX and you add alloy wheels, fog lamps, tacho (an odd looking thing stuck on the dashboard like an after thought), four-speaker audio, height adjustment for the driver's seat and stability and traction control.DrivetrainThe Alto is powered by a buzzy three cylinder (yes, they still make them) 1-litre engine which is good for 50kW and 90Nm of torque. The numbers, on paper, should mean the performance is handicapped but Suzuki has been quite clever with gear ratios for both the five-speed manual and four-speed auto to provide the best fuel economy while still retaining some zip.The Alto only has a 35-litre fuel tank, but with a claimed fuel consumption of under 5.5l/100km it is going to win many friends who are looking for cheap city transport.DrivingBeing a triple-pot, the four-seater Alto shows all the vices of the design — the out of balance engine design shakes at idle, there's a ample torque steer through the front wheels and it sounds like a sewing machine.Steep hills will catch it out, the steering is overly light, the abundant plastic in the cabin feels cheap and the engine is just adequate.  But don't let that put you off. This is basic motoring at its best. Cute design, reasonably comfortable, superbly fuel efficient, practical and cheap. What more do you want for the money. 

More than a few years ago I was earning extra cash delivering pizzas in the Adelaide hills. The trials and tribulations of that career were punctuated with use and abuse of a Suzuki two-door hatch.It was an odd choice given the hilly terrain of the Blackwood/Belair area, but we persisted with its use, which regularly involved service work and more part replacements than was close to ideal, according to our boss.  It was bent, battered, bruised and butchered but it survived despite several major attempts to kill it, with the odd thrum of three-cylinder a key part of the ‘Pizza Burner's’ charm.Fast-forward nearly three decades - there's another grey hair - and we're zipping around the suburbs in Suzuki's new Indian-built Alto and there's a striking similarity in engine noise.  The three-cylinder runs like it's about to stall, but it doesn't - although there's the constant fear that it will and some inattentive SUV driver will use the Alto as a launching ramp.  We're sampling both the GLX auto - which gets the tachometer, among other things - and the GL base-model,which has a speedo only.DrivetrainIt's been quite a while since I've driven a car without a tachometer, but you're never in danger of hitting a rev limiter.  The three-cylinder strains vainly but you just can't get punish it that much - this little car is an honest machine.The automatic needs to be shifted manually for anything other than sedentary pace, but given a bit of welly it gets along without too many issues.  The manual can be stirred along a little easier, as well as not paying a weight penalty - the car with the clutch pedal is easier to punt through traffic and its diminutive size means gaps meant for a motorbike are fair game in an Alto. But you'll need to be good at reading traffic flow to take advantage of them.EconomyIt is economical, claiming around four or five litres per 100km for the combined-cycle fuel economy figure (depending on the gearbox), but the manual returned 3.9 litres per 100km during the recent Global Green Challenge, with a frugal two litres per 100km during the Adelaide city stage at the event's conclusion.EquipmentWhen you're talking sub-$20,000 the features list isn't going to have massaging seats and radar cruise control.  The standard features list includes 14in steel wheels, manually-adjustable exterior mirrors, front power windows, air conditioning, a CD sound system with MP3 auxiliary input, remote central locking, dual front, side and curtain airbags and anti-lock brakes.The GLX gets fog lamps on the front, body-coloured mirrors, 14in alloys, the aforementioned tacho, four extra speakers for the sound system (which doesn't help it much), a height adjuster for the driver's side seat and stability control.Road abilityThe road manners are decent - for a shopping trolley - which means its ride quality is decent but there's not masses of prowess in the handling department.Mind you, it isn't meant to out-corner a Mazda MX-5 - and it won't, just for the record.  It can lean a bit and will run wide, but most city running isn't going to stretch its talents too far.I even picked up a pizza in it, turning for home and almost reverted to the ‘30-minutes or die’ that was the unofficial mantra way back then. Almost.  The light car segment is one that is getting more competitive and Suzuki's reputation for solid machinery should get a decent chunk of the market. 

High school leavers are now facing one of the most important, daunting, yet exciting decisions of their life in buying their first car.There are so many factors to think about: price, safety, economy, running costs, vehicle age, insurance; all on limited funds and with limited knowledge about cars, and finance.To most young people, the most important thing is probably looks. After all, you don't want to be spotted by all your mates in a white Camry in the drive-through at Maccas. And who can blame you? That's why so many young people buy old grey-import Sylvias instead of Camrys. It's because they are red, they look fast and they were featured in one of the Fast and Furious movies.However, often the car ends up spending most of its time being repaired, waiting on a part to come from Japan or simply getting it to start, steer and stop. But is used the way to go? There are many small new cars on the market from as low as $13,990 which have the latest modern safety features, plus advantages of new car warranties.The best three tips we can give you are: research, research and more research. Young buyers can start by looking at classified ads on the internet and in newspapers. Comparisons will give the buyer a good feel for the true price of a car. You should work out what you need in a car even before you start looking for one.There are choices people can make when buying a new vehicle that may significantly reduce their risk of injury and theft and can even result in savings when it comes to car insurance.What you can expect for your money Young buyers are usually on a fairly limited budget. That will reduce the number of cars available.RACQ technical officer Russell Manning advises what you can expect for your money on used cars.$3000 to $5000 Few dealers operate in this segment, so look to private sales, and all the potential problems that come with them.There are no stand-outs in this segment.Buy the best you can find for the money.Steer clear of unusual, unpopular and modified vehicles, as they're more likely to cost more to keep on the road. Expect to be mainly looking at vehicles from the mid '80s.$5000 to $7500 Many dealers specialise in this bracket.Look for cars that are popular and have a good reputation, for example early 1990s Corolla, Pulsar, Lancer for small cars, and Commodore, Falcon, Camry for large cars.Anything in this bracket is likely to have travelled big distances, so look carefully.Bigger, less fuel-efficient cars are less popular these days and, depending on your circumstances, may be a good buy.Larger cars are often more durable.$7500 to $10,000 There'll be no shortage of cars in this bracket.Expect to see cars from the mid to late '90s.Again, large cars should be attractively priced due to fuel prices, but you'll also find a range of quality Japanese small vehicles and plenty from Korean makers.Take your time selecting and pick the best your money will buy.$10,000 to $12,000 There should be no difficulty finding a quality used car in this range. There will be plenty of Commodores, Falcons, Camrys and Magnas, as well as the full range of mid and small-sized cars from the late '90s.Consider putting in a few thousand dollars more and moving into an attractively priced new small car.New cars to $15,000 All these are in the light car category. And it can pay to see if you can pick up a dealer demonstration model with very low kilometres to save a little money.Hyundai's Getz is a great little car from $12,990, and the Getz Protectz pack costs an extra $1290 but includes electronic stability program, traction control system and front seat side thorax airbags, for $1290.Suzuki Alto 1.0-litre starts at $14,990 – although we’ve seen it advertised lower than that.Holden Barina 1.6-litre three-door hatch costs from around $13,690.Kia’s Rio 1.4-litre five-door hatch often costs less than $14,000.Tips 1. Buy the type, make and model of car that best suits your needs and your pocket.2. Always have a used vehicle inspected by a qualified person.3. Don’t rush to buy your car as you may regret it.4. Ignore any promise, warranty or guarantee that isn’t in writing or that is conditional in any way.5. Don’t forget the REVS certificate.6. Never sign any contract or document until it is complete and you understand it.7. Always get a copy of any contract you sign and a copy of the safety certificate.8. Obtain reliable finance before you purchase your car.9. Insure the car with a reputable company. 

People who say they wouldn't be seen dead in a light car, please come back and see me in 10 years. Or five years. Because, we hope, you won't be dead but commuting in a weeny car along with a traffic flow of other weeny cars on your way to work while smugly snubbing anyone with an SUV.You will change because the bright light of logic — driven by the need to preserve some of your soaring transport costs — will have illuminated above your head. This car, this Indian-made Suzuki Alto, is one of the cars that will change your mind into moving from small cars to the light-car class.Body and equipment It's clearly small and exaggerated by the chopped tail that puts the wheels at each corner — almost literally if you check out the back wheels — and the short, slanted bonnet. To be honest, it doesn't look safe. But it is! Surprisingly, the base model Alto GL has a four-star safety rating thanks to six airbags and ABS brakes with brake assist. That's as good as some much bigger cars — Mazda3, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry and so on — which is a bit comforting even if the view from the driver's seat is less succinct in relaying that message.Spend an extra $2000 and the GLX model gets the all-important electronic stability control plus a few extra goodies.Drivetrain, economy and price But the big news here is the economy. Suzuki claims 4.8 litres/100km from the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder engine when attached to the five-speed manual gearbox and, for the four-speed auto as tested, 5.5 l/100km.Diesel cars and hybrids do better than that but can't come close to the Alto GL's $12,490 price-tag (plus on-road costs) which is less than a third of the price of a Prius. The automatic transmission is an extra $2000 and the more upmarket Alto GLX starts at $14,490.It appears the economy is not only in the fuel. However, Suzuki stipulates only premium unleaded for the Alto which bumps up the petrol bill by about 9c a litre. So if you travel 15,000km a year the premium adds only $1.20 a week to the Alto manual's fuel bill. Big deal.Driving The cheap-as-chips car seats two adults and will take two children in the back seat. Rear seat legroom is a premium, though headroom isn't bad. Recognise that filling the car with people or luggage will severely dampen any dreams you have of this car having a career on the race track. In fact, just clearing the traffic lights is a blessing.No, it's not even remotely fast and as an automatic will be defeated by Chinese scooters and triathlons in training. But that's ignoring that it is a good drive. At idle the engine emits an odd beat that's in tune with its odd-numbered pistons, and yet sparks up quickly to become a nimble if somewhat buzzy power unit.Even the auto is remarkably adept at keeping up with the charade going on beneath the bonnet. Around the city and suburbs it's a comfortable car despite the thin seats. The suspension does a pretty good job of warding off poor bitumen and it's only the chunkier country asphalt, or a sudden winter-born pothole, that will make the Alto feel uncomfortable.It cruises easily and quietly at 100km/h and will take to country roads with only the driver's fear of larger vehicles being the deciding factor. Interestingly, the Alto has a full size spare wheel but has virtually no boot space. Not even a space-saver spare will help here.There are some welcome things about the GL, such as good front seat room and its brilliant turning circle, and some not-so-good things including the manual mirror adjustment (actually even the GLX has this) and the crappy sound of the audio system. But it's the future. Maybe not my future, more likely yours.Verdict: 78/100Make One Degree of difference today by calculating your carbon footprint and finding out what you can do to reduce it.

Unlike in Japan, micro city cars are a relatively rare sight on Australian roads. They populate the Japanese cities, where parking is impossible and insurance and taxes favour what they call ‘Kei’ micro cars.Locally smaller Japanese importers lead the way in the 1990s with the boxy Suzuki Wagon R and various 1.0-litre Daihatsus but sales were never strong for these budget econo-boxes.Today the quirky two-seater Smart ForTwo plays around the fringes of the light car pack but buyers have until now, have had little reason to bother with a three-cylinder city hatch. Australians, it seems, could never get their heads or hearts around a small engine unless astride a motorcycle.But roll forward to 2009 and micro cars like the new Suzuki Alto could soon enjoy their day in the sun. As budget buyers put their hip-pockets before horsepower, Suzuki's newest hatch could become a more common sight as fuel prices inevitably go up.Variants and pricing The two-model Alto GL and GLX range is expected to lead a baby car charge that will see the arrival of several new contenders over the next 18 months from China and Korea.Technically, Suzuki's five-door 1.0-litre enters the heavily populated ‘light car’ class and goes up against more powerful four-cylinder rivals from Korea and Japan. But the importer has a convincing pitch up its sleeve - price. The five-speed manual GL opener is $12,490, rising to $14,490 for the GLX manual. A four-speed automatic adds $2000.Equipment For that you get a well-equipped alternative to a second-hand car with safety features rarely seen as standard in this segment. The GL boasts six airbags, including head protecting side curtain airbags and anti-skid brakes as part of its standard safety package.Throw in airconditioning, single-in-dash CD stereo with MP3 auxiliary input, remote central locking, electric windows and the wee Alto becomes quite compelling. Move up to the GLX and you get electronic stability control thrown into the mix, as well as 14-inch alloys, front foglights, six-speaker stereo and tachometer.Suzuki Australia managing director, Tony Devers, says there is a growing awareness and expectation even among budget buyers that small cars should have curtain airbags, brake assist and stability control. "It is particularly relevant for parents buying their children's first car," he says.With that in mind, Suzuki wants to grow niche for the Alto ahead of new arrivals like the Hyundai i10, Proton Saga and budget entrants from China. It is doing a hard-sell on the car's safety and engineering, as well as low fuel economy and C02 emissions. Devers is hoping it will be as popular as it is in Europe and India, where demand is exceeding supply.Safety Despite its tiny size and light weight, the hatch makes extensive use of high-strength steels that help deliver a four-star crash rating. The smallest Suzuki tips the scales under 1000kg. It is 3500mm long and 1600mm wide and has a wheelbase of 2360mm and has a compact turning circle of 9m. To put that into perspective, the Alto is 255mm shorter and 90mm narrower than a Swift hatch.Drivetrain and fuel economy The Euro IV-compliant three-cylinder engine produces a modest 50kW at 6000 revs and 90Nm at 3400 revs and delivers a hybrid-like fuel economy figure of 4.8 litres/100km and CO2 emissions of 113g/km.The downside is that the engine must run on more expensive premium unleaded but it will also run on E85 fuel without complaint. However, according to Suzuki's calculations filling with premium adds an extra $1.20 a week for someone driving 15,00km a year.Although designed in-house, Suzuki turned to Europe for the car's contemporary look and driving experience.Interior and fit-out Inside there are no surprises. The cabin is contemporary with an integrated single in-dash CD/stereo, serviceable cloth upholstery and height-adjustable steering wheel. The motorcycle-inspired single speedo has an integrated digital fuel gauge and clock, while the tachometer on the GLX sits in its own pod to the right of the speedo.The front seats resemble those in the SX4 and Swift and are height-adjustable on the GLX. The back seats split-fold 50/50 with a small amount of boot space and there is a reasonable amount of storage space. The Alto is the first Australian Suzuki to be sourced from Suzuki's hi-tech Manesar plant in India.Driving To full appreciate the Alto's size, just pull up next to a Jazz at the traffic lights - the Honda looks enormous by comparison. The Alto is 400mm shorter and 95mm narrower than the smallest Honda and the 14-inch alloys look dinky on the car's grippy Goodyear rubber.But do not think for one minute that a three-cylinder Suzuki does not have the credentials to tackle bigger, more powerful rivals. Fire up the tiny engine and you get that distinct "heartbeat" throb at idle that identifies it as a three-cylinder. Once under way though that throb turns into a muted buzz that has a pleasant, if raucous, urgency as the revs rise.It may have a 988cc three-cylinder under the bonnet but combined with the car's low weight, the Alto is no shy, retiring type. It is quite capable of embarrassing some larger cars away from traffic lights and performs well when faced with the every day nip and tuck of city driving.The rorty engine has more than enough performance around town and for the occasional highway trip. The four-speed auto does sap some power, but the changes are slick and smooth. The surprise is that it will also cruise at 110km/h (3000 revs) in relative quiet and composure. Occupants are well insulated from wind and road noise.When we first drove the Alto we were surprised by its big-car ride and levels of refinement on some bumpy back roads. Now we've spent a week in a GLX commuting to and from work, our view has not changed. The ride is composed and handling composed. We've also grown to love the size and the fact that it will slide into small parking spaces that beggar belief.Another surprise is how the McPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension soaks up the bumps of rougher undulating roads with composure that would not be out of place in much larger car.Thanks to the strong body, the Alto feels more substantial than it really is and the six standard airbags and stability control are welcome. The full-size spare tyre is also welcome in the segment. The added safety features are welcome but in reality, most drivers will never exceed the car's handling limits.Visually the car benefits from its European design input, with a cohesive tall-body look within its compact dimensions, set off with oversized headlights.In profile the car has a wedge shape courtesy of a rising shoulder line along the rear door. At the back, the truncated rear has a wide opening hatch with large tail-lights set high into the C-pillar.Inside, the cabin is sturdy and modern, despite the extensive use of hard plastics. This is Suzuki's first car out of India and it is a good effort. Despite reasonable storage space some of the creature comforts we have come to expect are missing.Suzuki has fixed the lack of a proper glovebox lid, but there's no a manually dipping interior rear view mirror. The exterior mirrors are also manually adjustable only and the car's horn sounds like the frantic cry of a budgie.A grippier steering wheel would be a nice touch too as the plastic tiller on the test car was a bit slippery. At least both the driver and front seat passenger do well in the comfort stakes. Occupants sit high and there is plenty of leg and headroom even if you sit shoulder to shoulder with your passenger.The SX4-sourced seats are supportive and comfy but when you jump into the back seat, legroom is modest. The boot too is tiny. We suspect many owners will just flip the 50/50 split back seats down and use it as a comfortable two-seater and occasional four-seater.We love the Alto's cheeky looks and thrifty economy. Being a Suzuki, the running costs should also be low. But its biggest advantage also remains its biggest challenge.Buyers will obviously compare the car's size and on-road price to dominate players like the Hyundai Getz, Toyota Yaris and Mazda2. Prospective Alto shoppers may also be wooed away by the slightly larger Swift.Verdict: 70/100 

There is a new baby car screaming for attention. Suzuki's new five-door 1.0-litre Alto hatch enters the light car class from $12,490 for the well-equipped five-speed manual.It is pitching into a new nursery of sub-light microcars heading our way from Korea and China over the next 18 months. But in reality it must also go up against larger-engined rivals like the three-door Hyundai Getz, Holden Barina and Toyota Yaris, as well as the Kia Rio.But Suzuki Australia general manager, Tony Devers, says the public mood is right for a car like the Alto. "If economists are correct we could be paying $1.60 a litre for petrol by Christmas so there is an opportunity with cars like this," he says."The Alto is not only a good proposition for budget buyers, but people with an eye for economy and the environment."He has big hopes for the five-door hatch even though Suzuki has set quite modest sales targets of just 1000 this year and about 3000 next year. Devers says it has the potential to help grow a new segment ahead of the arrival of the Hyundai i10, Proton Saga and entrants from China. "Hyundai is keen to see how this car goes but we don't want to give too much away with our expectations," he says.Suzuki is doing a hard-sell on the car's European styling and engineering, good fuel economy and low C02 emissions, presenting itself as a real-world low-cost `green' car."The Alto is already a hit in Europe and India, where demand is exceeding supply. Although designed in-house, Suzuki looked to Europe for inspiration in both the car's styling and driving experience.Platform and safety The smallest member of Suzuki's range tips the scales at just 850kg and measures 3500mm in length and 1600mm in width and has a wheelbase of 2360mm. It has a compact turning circle of 9m. The car is only marginally shorter than the Swift, which measures 3755mm long and 1690mm wider. Despite its diminutive size and light-weight, the Alto makes extensive use of high strength steels that have helped deliver a four-star crash rating.EngineThe Alto is powered by a Euro 4 compliant three-cylinder engine that develops 50kW at 6000 revs and 90Nm at 3400 revs .Its combined fuel economy figure is a hybrid-busting 4.8 l/100km and CO2 emissions of 113g/km. However, the downside is that the engine must run on more expensive premium unleaded.Variants and pricing Two variants are available, the GL and GLX. Introductory prices start at $12,490 for the GL manual with the GLX manual $14,490. A four-speed automatic is an extra $2000. Despite its low-cost entry, the micro-Alto gets standard safety features rarely seen in the light car segment. Six airbags, traction control, anti-skid brakes and brake assist are standard and the GLX version adds electronic stability control.The GL has air conditioning, CD stereo system with MP3 auxiliary input, remote central locking, anti-skid brakes and front electric windows.The GLX adds 14-inch alloys, foglights, a six-speaker sound system and tachometer. A full-size spare wheel is also standard.Appearance and interior Visually the Alto adopts a distinct Euro look within its compact dimensions and oversized headlights. In profile the car has a wedge-shape with a rising shoulder line along the rear door that provides a contemporary look. At the back the truncated rear end has a wide opening hatch with large high-set tail-lights and bumper. Inside the cabin uses sturdy, but hard plastics, integrated CD/stereo, height adjustable steering wheel.The driver gets a motorcycle-inspired single speedo with integrated digital fuel gauge. The front seats are similar to those in the SX4 and Swift and are height adjustable on the GLX. The rear seats split fold 50/50 with a small amount of boot space. There are plenty of storage spaces in the cabin.The CD stereo was specifically designed for the car to wrap seamlessly around the centre console.MarketDevers expects the Alto to be popular with people looking for a low-cost second car and two other distinct buyer types. "There are the over 45 couples or empty nesters and then the 18 to 23 year old singles looking for their first car," he says. The Alto is build at Suzuki's Manesar plant in India. The first Alto was launched in Japan in 1979 and over the past 30 years more than 10 million have been sold globally.DrivingThis is not a story about power and performance. The Alto is not that type of car. Instead, you get a reasonably willing little three-cylinder city commuter that even with just 50kW on board, can keep up with peak-hour city traffic without trouble.The bigger surprise is how refined the Alto is over rougher undulating roads. It exhibits a high level of engineering integrity in the way it steers and rides over some of Melbourne's harsher bumps.And those who expect tinny cheap-as-chips motoring will be pleasantly surprised. The Alto feels like a more substantial car that it really is and the six standard airbags provide some extra comfort. The doors shut with thud and the cabin is sturdy despite the extensive use of hard plastics.There is plenty of storage but the lack of a proper glovebox lid means valuable items will need to be tucked out of sight. Front seat passengers are treated well. There is plenty of leg and headroom and the seats are surprisingly supportive. In the back though, legroom is modest and so is boot space. We suspect many owners will just flip the 50/50 split rear seats down and use it as a comfy two-seater.Fire up the 988cc three cylinder and you get a distinct "heartbeat" throb at idle that smooths out once under way. At highway speeds the wee little hatch is quite capable of keeping up with traffic while the cabin remains impressively quiet and composed. Wind noise is low and the car will track true even in the harshest crosswinds.Of course if you mash the accelerator away from traffic lights the engine will scream its lungs out but it is a willing, if leisurely performer. Perhaps the only downside is that when mated to the smooth four speed auto - expected to be the most popular choice - it is a little slow off the mark.The steering is direct yet reasonably weighty, but not enough to discourage folk who like light-fingered steering. The Alto's tiny turning circle and size makes it the perfect city car.But the biggest surprise about Suzuki's newest hatch is that after four hours tootling around town we could quite easily have hit the road to Sydney without feeling even slightly embarrassed, particularly when you pulled up at a petrol pump.Make One Degree of difference today by calculating your carbon footprint and finding out what you can do to reduce it.