New Maruti Alto K10 vs Hyundai Eon 1.0 vs Datsun Go specifications comparison

Maruti’s new Alto K10 is a big step up over its predecessor. Essentially, the cabin doesn’t have much of the earlier car’s ‘budget car’ vibe and the engine has been tweaked for better fuel economy too. Apart from this, the new Alto K10 is the first (and only) car in its class to offer an optional automatic (automated manual transmission) gearbox. So, the new K10 is definitely more desirable than before but is it better than its rivals? Here is a quick low down on how it compares to the stylish Hyundai Eon 1.0 and the bigger Datsun Go on paper.

 

 

The Maruti Alto K10 is powered by a 998cc, three-cylinder petrol engine (there’s a CNG option as well) and that is mated to a five-speed manual or an optional five-speed automatic (available only on the VXi trim). The motor makes 67bhp at 6200rpm and 9.18kgm of torque. 

 

Similarly, the Eon is powered by a 998cc, three-cylinder petrol motor but with 68bhp of power and 9.6kgm of torque, it has a slight advantage over the Alto K10. Here, the motor is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. There’s a smaller 800cc engine as well but for this comparison, we are considering this 1.0-litre variant as its power output closely matches its rivals here.

 

With a 1198cc engine, the Datsun Go gets the biggest motor here. And while the 67bhp of power may be a bit shy of the Eon’s figure, remember that the Datsun makes its peak power at a much lower 5000rpm (compared to the 6200rpm on the other two) which means you don’t have to spin the engine very fast to tap into the power. The larger engine helps the Go make the most torque here at 10.61kgm. The Datsun Go too gets a five-speed manual gearbox. 

 

 

At 3545mm, the Maruti Alto K10 is slightly longer than the Eon but its 2360mm wheelbase is the shortest here. The Eon’s 3495mm length means it’s the shortest car here despite which, its 2380mm wheelbase is 20mm longer than the Alto’s, which translates to slightly better knee room in the rear. However, when it comes to space, the 3785mm long Datsun Go is clearly a size larger and its 2450mm wheelbase gives it a good 90mm advantage over the Alto K10, making it easily the most spacious car here. 

 

As for interior width, the Alto’s cabin is the narrowest at 119cm in the front and 112cm at the rear followed by the Eon’s 122.5cm and 116.5cm front and rear width. Expectedly, the larger Go is the roomiest with 130cm and 125cm front and rear width, respectively. 

 

The boot sizes follow the same hierarchy too with the Alto K10’s 117-litre boot being the smallest, followed by the Eon’s 215-litre capacity and the Datsun’s 265-litre boot being the largest. 

 

 

The new Maruti Alto K10 manual ranges from Rs 3.03 lakh for the base LX trim. The automatic VXi trim is priced at Rs 3.76 lakh and if you opt for the CNG variant (manual only), it will set you back by Rs 3.78 lakh. 

 

The Eon 1.0 is available only on the top Magna+ and Magna+ (option) trims and are priced at Rs 3.91 lakh and Rs 4.03 lakh, respectively, making it the most expensive one here.

 

Finally, the Datsun Go starts at Rs 3.12 lakh for the base ‘D’ variant while the top ‘T’ trim is priced at Rs 3.79 lakh.

 

 

 

The new Maruti K10 is the least expensive car here but it’s also the least roomy. That said, the Alto has a big advantage in the form of an automatic transmission and a CNG option as well. So, as a city runabout, the competitively priced automatic Alto is hard to beat.

 

Despite its compact proportions, the Eon is reasonably spacious and at least on paper, sports the most powerful motor here. Sure, it’s the most expensive one in this trio but it also feels the most premium here, offering great fit and finish at this price point. In a nutshell, the Eon doesn’t feel like a budget car and offers the most ‘feel-good-factor’ here.

 

Speaking of which, the Datsun Go’s interiors scream ‘low-cost’. Yes, it’s the most spacious one here and has the largest engine too but you can’t get away from the fact that even the top-spec Go’s interiors feel built to a cost. So, if space tops your priorities, the Go is worth looking into but that’s about it.