Suzuki Alto (09 on) - Review

Review by Dan Harrison on
Last Updated: 06 June 2011
The Alto is a small car that’s designed to cut costs to the bone. It’s cheap to buy and even cheaper to run. Those on a tight budget will appreciate its exceptional fuel economy, low insurance costs (it's in group one) and cheap road tax. The Alto also feels robustly built, while the interior boasts a reasonable level of equipment. What it does lack, however, is the 'fun factor' that you get with so many other small cars. The Toyota Aygo/Citroen C1/Peugeot 107 are cheap, but very cheerful, while slightly more expensive options like the Ford Ka are in a different league. The Alto is built to a budget - and feels like it.
3 out of 5

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Buying new

List prices and what you get for your money compare well with similar small cars. As it’s so cheap to start with, you’re unlikely to get much in the way of a discount, so anything you can negotiate will be a welcome bonus. If you’re planning to keep the car for longer than three years, you may want to consider that the Alto has a three year warranty, whereas at least one alternative – the Hyundai i10 – comes with five years as standard.

Buy a new Suzuki Alto and save 12% on selected models

3.5 out of 5

Buying used

Low running costs and generous equipment levels makes the Alto a popular small car among used buyers. The range is straightforward with limited engine and trim combinations – mid-spec SZ3 adds air conditioning and is the best all-round value. The line-up starts with SZ2 – don’t be fooled onto looking for a SZ1 base-spec car – there isn’t one. The best cars will be found within the Suzuki dealer network, though there should also be a good spread of models in the private classifieds. The Alto was launched in March 2009 and the earliest cars are available with an 09-registration.

  • Boot/Load Space Suzuki Alto (09 on)
  • Interior Suzuki Alto (09 on)

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See 111 used Suzuki Altos for sale, starting at £4,495

4 out of 5

Selling

The Alto will tick a lot of boxes for many buyers. It’s cheap to run, reliable and well equipped – making it an ideal first car or a city runabout. Use Parker’s pricing to set a reasonable value and there should be no problem selling it on.