Introduction
Maruti Suzuki, India’s leading automobile manufacturer, has once again made headlines with the launch of its new Alto 800 model. Priced competitively at just ₹3.9 lakh (ex-showroom), the new Alto 800 continues the legacy of being one of India’s most affordable and fuel-efficient cars. With its reliable 796cc engine and impressive fuel efficiency of 24 km/l, the Alto 800 aims to strengthen its position in the entry-level hatchback segment.
Design and Exterior
The new Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 features a refreshed design that gives it a more contemporary look while maintaining its compact dimensions. The front fascia has been redesigned with a wider grille and reshaped headlamps that provide a more appealing appearance. The bumper has also received subtle updates, giving the car a more robust stance.
The side profile remains largely unchanged, retaining the familiar silhouette that Alto owners have come to love. However, new alloy wheel designs are available in higher variants, adding a touch of premium feel to this budget-friendly car. The rear section features redesigned taillights and a slightly tweaked bumper, completing the exterior refresh.
Despite being a small car, Maruti has worked on improving the Alto’s road presence. The overall dimensions remain compact, with a length of 3445mm, width of 1515mm, and height of 1475mm, making it ideal for navigating through congested city roads and fitting into tight parking spaces.
Interior and Features
Step inside the new Alto 800, and you’ll notice significant improvements in the interior quality and features. The dashboard layout has been revised to create a more ergonomic and user-friendly environment. The center console now houses a 7-inch SmartPlay touchscreen infotainment system in the top variants, which supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, bringing modern connectivity features to this entry-level car.
The instrument cluster has also been updated with a new digital display that provides essential information such as fuel efficiency, distance to empty, and service reminders. The steering wheel now comes with mounted controls for audio and phone operations in the higher variants, adding to the convenience factor.
The seats have been redesigned for better comfort during long journeys, with improved cushioning and fabric quality. Despite its compact exterior dimensions, Maruti has managed to optimize the interior space, providing adequate legroom and headroom for four adults. The boot space, while modest at 177 liters, is sufficient for daily use and small shopping trips.
In terms of convenience features, the new Alto 800 offers power windows for the front doors, central locking, manual air conditioning, and a 12V power outlet. These features, while basic, cater well to the target audience looking for an affordable yet practical city car.
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Performance and Engine
Under the hood, the new Alto 800 continues to be powered by the tried and tested 796cc, three-cylinder petrol engine. This engine produces 47 bhp of power at 6000 rpm and 69 Nm of torque at 3500 rpm. While these figures might seem modest on paper, they are perfectly adequate for city driving conditions, especially considering the car’s lightweight construction.
The engine comes mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, which offers smooth and precise shifts. Maruti has also worked on refining the engine to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) levels, resulting in a quieter cabin experience compared to the previous model.
One of the standout features of the Alto 800 has always been its exceptional fuel efficiency, and the new model continues this tradition with an ARAI-certified mileage of 24 km/l. This makes it one of the most fuel-efficient petrol cars in the Indian market, a significant advantage given the rising fuel prices.
For those looking for an even more economical option, Maruti also offers a factory-fitted CNG variant of the Alto 800, which delivers an impressive mileage of around 31 km/kg, making it an extremely cost-effective choice for budget-conscious buyers.
Safety Features
Safety has been a focus area for Maruti in the new Alto 800. The car now comes with standard safety features such as dual airbags, ABS with EBD, reverse parking sensors, and a high-speed alert system across all variants. The body structure has been reinforced to comply with the latest crash test norms, enhancing the overall safety of the occupants.
Additionally, the new Alto 800 is equipped with features like seat belt reminders, ISOFIX child seat anchors, and a speed-sensitive auto door lock system. These improvements address the growing safety concerns among Indian car buyers and bring the Alto 800 up to par with current safety standards.
Variants and Pricing
The new Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 is available in four trim levels: Standard, LXi, VXi, and VXi+. The base Standard variant, priced at ₹3.9 lakh, offers essential features like a driver airbag, ABS with EBD, reverse parking sensors, and a manual air conditioning system.
Moving up the range, the LXi variant adds features like a passenger airbag, power steering, front power windows, and central locking. The VXi trim further enhances the package with body-colored bumpers and door handles, a digital instrument cluster, and an audio system with Bluetooth connectivity.
The top-spec VXi+ variant, priced at approximately ₹4.8 lakh, comes loaded with features such as the 7-inch SmartPlay touchscreen infotainment system, steering-mounted controls, fog lamps, and alloy wheels.
The CNG variants are available in the LXi and VXi trims, with a price premium of approximately ₹75,000 over their petrol counterparts.
Market Positioning and Competition
The Alto 800 has been a cornerstone of Maruti Suzuki’s product portfolio for over two decades, consistently ranking among the top-selling cars in India. With the latest update, Maruti aims to maintain the Alto’s strong position in the entry-level hatchback segment.
The main competitors for the Alto 800 include the Renault Kwid, Datsun redi-GO, and Hyundai Santro. The Kwid offers a more SUV-inspired design and a touchscreen infotainment system even in its lower variants, while the redi-GO competes primarily on pricing. The Santro, positioned slightly above the Alto 800, offers a more premium feel and a larger engine.
However, the Alto 800’s primary advantages remain its competitive pricing, Maruti’s extensive service network, low maintenance costs, and excellent fuel efficiency, which continue to make it an attractive proposition for first-time car buyers and those looking for a reliable secondary car for urban commuting.
Ownership Experience
Owning an Alto 800 has always been a hassle-free experience, thanks to Maruti’s extensive service network of over 3,500 service centers across India. The company’s reputation for providing affordable spare parts and low maintenance costs adds to the overall value proposition of the Alto 800.
The new model comes with a standard warranty of 2 years/40,000 kilometers, which can be extended to up to 5 years/100,000 kilometers at an additional cost. This, coupled with the car’s proven reliability and robust engineering, ensures peace of mind for owners.
Moreover, the Alto’s high resale value in the used car market makes it a financially sound purchase, with minimal depreciation compared to many of its competitors.
Overview Table: Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Price | Starting from ₹3.9 lakh (ex-showroom) |
| Engine | 796cc, 3-cylinder petrol |
| Power | 47 bhp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 69 Nm @ 3500 rpm |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Fuel Efficiency | 24 km/l (petrol), 31 km/kg (CNG) |
| Length | 3445 mm |
| Width | 1515 mm |
| Height | 1475 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2360 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 160 mm |
| Boot Space | 177 liters |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 35 liters (petrol), 60 liters water equivalent (CNG) |
| Seating Capacity | 4 persons |
| Standard Safety Features | Dual airbags, ABS with EBD, reverse parking sensors, high-speed alert |
| Top Variant Features | 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, steering-mounted controls, alloy wheels |
| Warranty | 2 years/40,000 km (extendable) |
Conclusion
The new Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 builds on the strengths of its predecessor while addressing some of its shortcomings. With improved safety features, enhanced interior comfort, and the addition of modern connectivity options, the Alto 800 now offers better value than ever before.
While it may not be the most feature-loaded or powerful car in its segment, its unbeatable combination of affordability, fuel efficiency, reliability, and low maintenance costs continues to make it an ideal choice for budget-conscious buyers looking for a practical city car.
As India’s automobile market evolves, with increasing focus on features and safety, the Alto 800’s latest update ensures that this iconic small car remains relevant and competitive in the changing landscape. At ₹3.9 lakh, the new Alto 800 represents remarkable value for money and is set to continue its successful journey in the Indian market.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
FAQ 1: How does the new Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 compare to its previous generation in terms of features and specifications?
The new Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 brings several improvements over its predecessor while maintaining the core strengths that made it popular. The most significant upgrades include enhanced safety features with dual airbags now standard across all variants, improved NVH levels for a quieter cabin experience, and the addition of a 7-inch SmartPlay touchscreen infotainment system in higher variants with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
The exterior design has been refreshed with a wider grille, reshaped headlamps, and updated bumpers, giving it a more contemporary look. Inside, the dashboard layout is more ergonomic, seat comfort has been improved, and there’s a new digital information display in the instrument cluster. The 796cc engine has been refined for better efficiency, maintaining the impressive 24 km/l fuel economy figure, while the body structure has been strengthened to meet the latest safety regulations. Overall, while the fundamental package remains similar, these incremental improvements make the new Alto 800 a more well-rounded product than its predecessor.
FAQ 2: Is the Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 CNG variant a good investment compared to the standard petrol model?
The Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 CNG variant represents an excellent long-term investment for budget-conscious buyers, particularly those who drive more than 50 km daily. While the CNG variant commands a premium of approximately ₹75,000 over the equivalent petrol model, this additional cost can typically be recovered within 1.5-2 years through fuel savings, depending on your usage pattern.
The CNG variant delivers an impressive mileage of around 31 km/kg, and with CNG priced significantly lower than petrol in most Indian cities, the running cost per kilometer is nearly half that of the petrol model. However, there are some trade-offs to consider: the CNG tank occupies a significant portion of the boot space, reducing cargo capacity; the initial pickup is slightly lower in CNG mode; and CNG filling stations may not be as widely available as petrol pumps in some areas.
Maintenance costs remain comparable to the petrol variant, though the CNG kit requires inspection during service intervals. If your daily commute is primarily within city limits where CNG infrastructure is good, and fuel economy is a priority, the Alto 800 CNG offers exceptional value over the ownership period despite the higher initial investment.
