Suzuki Alto review
by David Ross (16 March 2009)
Over the last 30 or so years, Suzuki has become rather good at making small cars. There have been chirpy and very endearing ones such as the tiny SC1000, sometimes referred to as the Whizz Kid, and cars with an especially strong character like the dinky - frothy, even - little Cappuccino two-seater.
Both were great fun to own and drive but not particularly practical. But the amazing thing is how today's "mini" cars have grown – especially in interior space and, therefore, in accommodation. Suzuki's brand new Alto bears testimony to this and its maker is convinced that it has the right car at the right time. Initial impressions suggest that might well be so.
The first thing you notice is, naturally, the styling. Not in any way controversial, its lines are obviously targeted at European tastes but that is not to suggest it's just another anonymous city car. Suzuki's chief designer talked at the launch of the car's smiling face and I agree that it is a happy one with a broad grin and cheerful eyes. And with a smooth, flowing profile from the base of the windscreen to the roof line, wedge-shaped side windows and a wheel at each corner, the new Alto portrays a strong, sporty and attractive appearance.
Inside, there's a surprising amount of room for this size of car and that's borne out as soon as you climb aboard. Rear entry is greatly eased by four side doors – no word as yet of a three-door and it's hard to see why one would be needed – and the back seat offers enough space for two adults to travel in reasonable comfort.
The interior styling had not been overdone. It's subtle but in no way drab, Suzuki claiming a "fresh, casual appearance" with pleasantly grouped instruments and decent seating. Ease of use and convenient storage have obviously been Suzuki priorities but so has an appearance in line with the cheery external lines.
I especially liked the way the heating and audio controls were set in the centre of the facia where they are clear and easy to see and operate. Confusion, which is all too often the case with interior switchgear, has been avoided and owners will doubtless appreciate compartments for iPods and mobile phones.
Confusion should be avoided when buying, too, as Suzuki offers but one engine, two gearboxes and three trims. The one-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine develops 67bhp and is Euro V compliant. Like all small engines of this configuration, it throbs a bit but the sound is pleasantly muted and the car doesn't shake at tickover. Even when extended, engine noise is never intrusive. Far from it: this is a remarkably refined unit.
Low-speed pull is really impressive and the engine keeps on pulling strongly at higher revs. For a one-litre, it certainly punches above its weight. Flexibililty is a strong point and makes this Suzuki an extremely undemanding car to drive, just as every city car should be.
A feature of this car that really stands out, arguably above all else, is the surprising ride comfort. When first they came along, Japanese city cars sported hard, crashy suspension systems but, in the Alto, that's no longer the case. Bumps, and there were plenty of them on the test route around Rome, were traversed without any real thump getting through into the cabin and, when cornering, the angle of lean never gave cause for concern.
I never got the chance to try the automatic and that might be because the performance and economy figures are well down on the five-speed manual at 17.0 seconds for the 0-62mph sprint instead of 13.5, a top speed of 93mph instead of the manual's 96mph and economy reduced from an impressive 64.2mpg to 54.3mpg. However, as an automatic gearbox is rarely offered in city cars, Suzuki might score a few extra sales among people not qualified or keen to drive a manual car.
As with life's little luxuries, safety systems get more comprehensive the more money you are prepared to spend. If you feel the need of curtain airbags, then it's necessary to shell out on the most expensive of the three Altos, the SZ4.
The two lower-priced versions have a crushable structure and energy-dispersing frame, high rigidity body and four airbags. These being dual front and side airbags. But, with the SZ4, you also get an Electronic Stability Program with traction control, alloy wheels, front fog lights, a rather tacked on rev counter and 50:50 split folding rear seats. There's also height adjustment on the driver's seat.
Above all, what you get with the new Alto is great character and lashings of joie de vivre. With emissions at just 103g/km (122g/km for the auto), you can feel happy that you're doing your bit for the environment as you go merrily on your way. And, especially important with city cars, you don't have to drive fast to enjoy the new Alto. It's a chirpy little number and an appealing one too.
Initial pricing looks reasonable at £6795 and £7960 for the cheaper versions and £8560 for the especially well-appointed SZ4. What buyers will get for their money is a happy little car with good road manners and plenty of accommodation as well as a decent range of equipment. Running costs will be low with a three-year warranty and insurance at Group 1 for the SZ2 and SZ3 and Group 2 for the SZ4.
If you are in the market for a small, inexpensive but fun-loving city car capable of lengthy motorway runs, the Suzuki Alto may not be the first car you think of, but it might well be worth a look.
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