2019 Maruti Suzuki Alto vs rivals: Specifications comparison

The 2019 Alto gets a BS6-compliant engine and safety upgrades. It's time to see how it stacks up against its 800cc rivals.

3 min read•15 May '19

Soham Thakur

98K+ views

Maruti’s entry-level offering, the Alto 800, has just received its most major upgrade since its introduction in 2012. Now known as just the Maruti Suzuki Alto, the hatchback has been updated with a BS6-compliant engine and additional safety features. With these upgrades, the Alto has become pricier than before, putting it right in the mix with the Renault Kwid and the Datsun Redigo. How does it compare with its rivals on specification and features? Read on to find out.

Dimensions

All three entry-level hatchbacks in question have a compact footprint. However, it’s the Renault Kwid that’s the largest in this comparison in terms of length, width and wheelbase too. The Renault is also the one with the largest boot. Meanwhile, the Datsun Redigo is the tallest and the lightest of the lot. The Alto has the smallest boot and is the heaviest in this comparison. Interestingly, the new Alto is 50mm longer than its predecessor. This increase in length is due to a new bumper design that helps the Alto clear the pedestrian safety regulations that come into effect on October 1, 2020.

2019 Alto vs rivals: Dimensions	Alto	Kwid	Redigo
Length	3445mm	3679mm	3429mm
Width	1515mm	1579mm	1560mm
Height	1475mm	1478mm	1541mm
Wheelbase	2360mm	2422mm	2348mm
Kerb weight	762kg	669kg	645kg
Boot capacity	177 litres	300 litres	222 litres

Engine and gearbox

The major talking point on the Alto facelift is its engine that has been reworked to meet BS6 emission norms. The 0.8-litre petrol engine continues to put out 48hp and 69Nm of torque but sees a drop in efficiency figures. Where the earlier model delivered an ARAI-certified 24.70kpl, the new Alto is rated at 22.05kpl. The Kwid and Redigo, meanwhile, share the same 0.8-litre motor that produces a healthier 54hp and 72Nm of torque. Although the Kwid (25.17kpl) is more fuel-efficient than the Redigo (22.70kpl), thanks to its taller gearing. Speaking of which, all hatchbacks here get a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard.

2019 Alto vs rivals: Engines & gearboxes	Alto	Kwid	Redigo
Displacement	796cc	799cc	799cc
Type	3 cyls, naturally aspirated	3 cyls, naturally aspirated	3 cyls, naturally aspirated
Power	48hp	54hp	54hp
Torque	69Nm	72Nm	72Nm
Gearbox	5-speed MT	5-speed MT	5-speed MT
Fuel efficiency	22.05kpl	25.17kpl	22.70kpl

Features

While the three hatchbacks are available in multiple trims, the top-spec trims are the versions in focus here. All three cars get a driver airbag and ABS with EBD as standard but the top-spec Alto VXi goes one up on the others with a standard-fit passenger airbag.

The new Alto gets a 2-DIN audio system with Bluetooth connectivity and is also the only car in this comparison with rear parking sensors. The Redigo features a 1-DIN audio system and LED daytime running lights as a part of the package. However, it’s the Kwid is the most feature-rich. It’s the only model that has a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. It’s also the only one with an on-board navigation feature, a parking camera and a digital speedometer.

2019 Alto vs rivals: Features	Alto VXi	Kwid RXT(O) 0.8	Redigo S 0.8
Airbags	2	1	1
ABS with EBD	Yes	Yes	Yes
Infotainment display	2-DIN	7.0-inch touchscreen	1-DIN
Apple CarPlay/Android Auto	No/No	Yes/Yes	No/No
Parking sensors	Rear	No	No
Parking camera	No	Rear	No
LED DRLs	No	No	Yes

Price

In terms of price, the Datsun Redigo is the most affordable car in this comparison, followed by the Renault Kwid. As the only hatchback here with a BS6-compliant engine, the Alto has the highest starting price. However, as far as the top-spec variants, the Alto is the most affordable with the Redigo marginally more expensive and the relatively feature-rich Kwid being the most expensive.