The 2019 Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 facelift has launched in India. The updated Alto 800 gets a whole host of safety updates like ABS and EBD, rear parking sensors and a driver side airbag as standard and also a passenger side airbag as a paid option. What’s more, the Alto 800 also gets a crucial mechanical upgrade; its 0.8-litre engine is now BS-VI emission norms compliant. The updates have been accompanied by a price hike to the tune of Rs 22,000-28,000 for comparably-equipped variants. While the Maruti Alto 800 remains among the most affordable cars on sale today, it’s interesting to see the updated car’s prices in light of its rivals’. Direct rivals to the Alto 800 come in the form of the Renault Kwid and Datsun Redigo. For the sake of this comparison, we shall only be comparing the 0.8-litre engine versions of the Renault Kwid and the Datsun Redigo.
The 2019 Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 broadly comes in three variants, the Std, LXi and the top-spec VXi. The Std and the LXi also get an optional safety pack (costing between Rs 3,000-5,000 more) that brings with it a passenger side airbag. Comparatively, the Renault Kwid 0.8-litre and the Datsun Redigo 0.8-litre get four variants each. The Kwid is available in STD, RXE, RXL and RXT(O) versions while the Redigo comes in D, A, T and S variants. The Datsun Redigo T is further offered with an option pack.
2019 Alto vs Kwid vs Redigo: Base model variant prices compared
2019 Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 prices start at Rs 2.94 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the Std variant. This makes the car about Rs 28,000 more expensive than the pre-facelift model. In comparison, the base Renault Kwid STD variant is priced at Rs 2.72 lakh, Rs 22,000 cheaper than the updated Alto 800. That said, the most affordable car in the price range is the Datsun Redigo, which is priced at Rs 2.68 lakh for the base model D variant. However, while the base-spec Datsun Redigo D is the most affordable car of this trio, it is also the only one to do without a driver’s side airbag.
| 2019 Alto 800 vs Kwid vs Redigo: Base model variant prices | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Alto | Kwid 0.8 | Redigo 0.8 | |
| Prices (ex-showroom, Delhi) | Rs 2.94 lakh | Rs 2.72 lakh | Rs 2.68 lakh |
2019 Alto vs Kwid vs Redigo : Mid-range variant prices compared
While the battle of the base model prices are great on paper, the most popular variants sold in India are usually the mid-range models or the ones just below the top-of-the-line variants that are (relatively) fully-loaded. So let's see how the three cars compare on that front. Starting with the newest, the 2019 Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 LXi is priced at Rs 3.50 lakh for the standard car and Rs 3.55 lakh for the version with the optional passenger airbag. In comparison, the Renault Kwid RXE is priced at Rs 3.20 lakh and the better-specced RXL comes in at Rs 3.48 lakh. The Datsun Redigo A comes in at Rs 3.21 lakh while the T trim that is a better match for the Alto LXi costs Rs 3.52 lakh or Rs 3.59 lakh for the one with the T(O) with an audio system.
| 2019 Alto 800 vs Kwid vs Redigo : Mid-range variant prices | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Alto | Kwid 0.8 | Redigo 0.8 | |
| Prices (ex-showroom, Delhi) | Rs 3.50-3.55 lakh | Rs 3.20-3.48 lakh | Rs 3.21-3.59 lakh |
2019 Alto vs Kwid vs Redigo: Top-spec variant prices compared
While the mid-level variants are the highest-selling in most markets, the top-of-the-line versions of even entry-level cars have really started to become more and more popular, especially with urban buyers. The updated Alto 800 is the most affordable here and is priced at Rs 3.72 lakh for the VXi variant, which gets dual airbags as a standard fitment. In comparison, the Datsun Redigo S is priced at Rs 3.75 lakh while the most expensive of the lot is the Renault Kwid RXT (O) priced at Rs 3.90 lakh. However, the Kwid is actually the best value when you factor in that it’s the only one with a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, no less. A reverse camera is also a feature you’ll only find on the range-topping Kwid.
| 2019 Alto 800 vs Kwid vs Redigo: Top-spec variant prices | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Alto | Kwid 0.8 | Redigo 0.8 | |
| Prices (ex-showroom, Delhi) | Rs 3.72 lakh | Rs 3.90 lakh | Rs 3.75 lakh |
So there you have it. While the base model of the Alto 800 might now be the priciest of the lot as compared to its rivals, the Datsun Redigo and the Renault Kwid, when it comes to the fully-loaded version, the Alto 800 is the most affordable in absolute terms. Do note, it’s the 2019 Alto 800 with the most safety features; even base versions can be had with a second airbag for not much more money. All Kwids get a driver airbag and ABS as standard but there’s no option for a passenger airbag. The Datsun Redigo has been upgraded with ABS recently but a driver airbag is only part of the kit on the top-spec S version. The D, A and T trims can’t be had with airbags for the moment.
Talking comfort features, it’s the Kwid that gives you most bang for your buck. It remains the only car in the class with a digital speedometer, a touchscreen infotainment system and a reverse camera.
Along with it’s larger-hearted sibling, the Alto K10, the Alto 800 is the bestselling car in India. The safety and equipment update for not much more money could just prolong its tenure at the top spot on the bestsellers list for a lot more time to come.
Also see:
Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 facelift image gallery
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