India’s quintessential ‘first car’ is back in its third-gen guise. We compare the new model against its rivals on paper to see how it stacks up.
Maruti Suzuki recently launched the new Alto K10, which is the first generation change that the venerable Alto has received in the last 10 years – the second-gen model was introduced in 2012. While Renault is the only other manufacturer operating at this end of the market with the Kwid, the new Alto K10 also finds competition from Maruti’s own stable in the S Presso – both models have a huge price overlap and are also mechanically similar.
We compare the new Alto K10 against the Kwid and S Presso in terms of dimensions, engine specifications, fuel efficiency and price to see which comes out on top on paper.
Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 vs rivals: dimensions
| Dimensions | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Alto K10 | Kwid 1.0 | S Presso |
| Length | 3530mm | 3731mm | 3565mm |
| Width | 1490mm | 1579mm | 1520mm |
| Height | 1520mm | 1474mm | 1549mm |
| Wheelbase | 2380mm | 2422mm | 2380mm |
| Wheel Size | 13-inch | 14-inch | 14-inch |
The new Alto K10 is the smallest car here in terms of length and width. It is 35mm shorter than the S Presso, but a significant 201mm shorter than the Kwid. In terms of width as well, the Alto K10 is 30mm and 89mm narrower than the S Presso and the Kwid, respectively. The Alto is taller than the Renault Kwid by 46mm but is 29mm lower than the S Presso.
As for their wheelbase, the Alto K10 and the S-Presso have an identical wheelbase of 2,380mm, which is 42mm shorter than the Kwid. The Alto K10 also rides on the smallest set of wheels – 13 inchers – while its competitors get larger 14-inch units.
Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 vs rivals: engine specifications
| Engine specifications | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Alto K10 | Kwid 1.0 | S Presso |
| Engine type | 3 cyl NA | 3 cyl NA | 3 cyl NA |
| Displacement | 998cc | 999cc | 998cc |
| Power | 67hp | 68hp | 67hp |
| Torque | 89Nm | 91Nm | 89Nm |
| MT gearbox | 5-speed | 5-speed | 5-speed |
| AT gearbox | 5-speed AMT | 5-speed AMT | 5-speed AMT |
In terms of powertrain configurations, all three models are nearly identical being equipped with a 1.0-litre, naturally aspirated, three-cylinder petrol engine, mated to either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT gearbox. The Alto K10 and the S Presso are powered by the same K10C petrol engine.
The Alto K10 and the S Presso have identical power and torque figures, while the Kwid has marginally better outputs – 1hp and 2Nm more than the Maruti offerings.
It’s worth noting that the Kwid is also available with a smaller 54hp, 800cc petrol engine. Maruti too has a 800cc petrol engine, but it’s only offered on the previous-gen Alto 800 that continues to be on sale alongside the new Alto K10.
Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 vs rivals: fuel efficiency
| Fuel efficiency | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Alto K10 | Kwid 1.0 | S Presso |
| Manual (ARAI) | 24.39kpl | 21.7kpl | 24.76kpl |
| Automatic (ARAI) | 24.90kpl | 22.5kpl | 25.30kpl |
In terms of their ARAI-claimed fuel efficiency, both Marutis are considerably more fuel efficient than the Renault, thanks to dual-jet technology and idle start/stop system on the new K10C engine. The S Presso, although only marginally better than the Alto K10, is the most fuel efficient of the lot.
Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 vs rivals: price
| Price (ex-showroom, Delhi) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Alto K10 | Kwid 1.0 | S Presso |
| Manual | Rs 3.99 lakh-5.34 lakh | Rs 4.74 lakh-5.54 lakh | Rs 4.25 lakh-5.49 lakh |
| Automatic | Rs 5.50 lakh-5.84 lakh | Rs 5.79 lakh-5.99 lakh | Rs 5.65 lakh-5.99 lakh |
The new Alto K10 is the most affordable hatchback here. It not only has the lowest starting price, but is also the most affordable at the top-end – and that’s true for both manual and automatic versions. The S-Presso, meanwhile, is about Rs 15,000-25,000 more expensive than an equivalent variant of the Alto K10. The Kwid is the most expensive of the lot here, although it also tops out at Rs 5.99 lakh for the top-spec petrol-AMT version, similar to the S-Presso.
Would you pick the new Maruti Alto K10 over its two rivals? Let us know in the comments below.
Also read:
2022 Maruti Suzuki Alto K10: price, variants explained
Maruti Suzuki Alto: Evolution of India’s quintessential first car