2019 Maruti Alto K10 Review – What Does This Safer Model Offer?

When we ask what Indian auto buyers think about Maruti Suzuki. A majority of them respond that it offers an excellent aftersales service and affordable vehicles, which contribute to the domination of the Indo-Japanese auto manufacturer in the Indian auto market. The Maruti Alto K10 is one of the most convincing proofs of Maruti Suzuki’s outstanding success in India. While the previous version is popular with the Indian auto buyers for its affordability, the new version with a wide range of added safety features is a breakthrough in the hatchback’s life cycle in India and is expected to attain great sales number despite an increase in the price. Let’s come to a detailed review of the 2019 Maruti Alto K10 to see what this new version has to offer.

Maruti Suzuki has recently provided the updated Alto K10 with a wide range of safety features.

Exterior

There seem to be no considerable cosmetic upgrades on the new Maruti Alto K10. On the outside, it continues to feature a tall stance and an upright rear. In the front, it sports a chrome grille with the iconic letter “S” in the centre between the two large and sharp headlamps. These features give the Alto K10 a bolder front. The side profile features a fashionable design with standard stock steel wheels or the optional smart alloy units. Moreover, the 155/65 R13 tyres are provided as standard across all variants. In the rear, the tailgate has a newly-designed boot lid, which indicates an amber cabin.

The 2019 Maruti Alto K10 is still offered with six paint scheme options: Firebrick Red, Granite Grey, Silky Silver, Superior White, Tango Orange, Cerulean Blue.

There are almost no considerable alterations to the exterior of the new Maruti Alto K10

Interior

Like the exterior, the interior of the Maruti Alto K10 comes with no remarkable updates. To be more specific, an upmarket design with a black-and-white colour scheme is carried over from the old version. The modern instrument cluster and the black piano centre console contribute to the premium feeling of the car. The driving wheel with the aluminium strip with a letter S badge in the centre is another outstanding feature of the 2019 Alto K10, which has also been maintained from the former version.

The premium feeling of the hatchback has been carried over from the pre-facelifted version

The hatchback continues to have a 4-seat capacity. Despite the premium feeling given by the advanced features, the fixed headrest makes us aware of the affordable price of the vehicle. The car offers sufficient headroom and legroom for passengers of average measures. This means that for those who have large body measures, travelling in this car will be a slightly unpleasant experience, especially if they are sitting in the rear seat row during long journeys.

People who are in the habit of travelling with bottled drinks will continue to be disappointed with the lack of integrated cup holders in both the seat rows. Another disappointing thing to mention here, which has still not got updated from the previous model is the small boot space which measures 177 litres. With such a limited cargo space, the Alto K10 is more suitable for a journey in the city or for short distances rather than long distances. Therefore, make sure to minimalize the luggage you carry with you however far the distance is.

Safety features

The upcoming safety norms which will come into effect in India from October this year will require the Indian automakers to either discontinue some of their models or upgrade them. Maruti Suzuki has made a decision to choose the second way. Now, with this latest update, the Maruti Alto K10 has been equipped with some new standard safety features. ABS with EBD, speed alert system and smart reverse parking sensors, for the first time, have appeared on the Maruti Alto K10 as standard safety features. Moreover, the driver airbag, as well as the driver and front passenger seatbelt warning, have been provided as standard for enhanced safety. On the previous model, they used to be offered only on the top-spec variant.

Other basic safety equipment continues to be maintained from the previous model, which include ventilated disc brakes, emergency locking retractor seatbelts and child safety locks, etc. The added safety features which make the Maruti Alto K10 compliant with the upcoming safety standards can be considered to be a breakthrough in the life cycle of one of the popular Maruti vehicles.

Refer to the table below to have an insight into some of the most outstanding features of the new Maruti Alto K10

Also read - Maruti Alto K10 Gets Updated Safety Features, Prices Start At Rs 3.66 lakh

2019 Maruti Alto K10 Specifications Review

Dimensions

The new Maruti Alto K10 has maintained the same dimensions as the earlier version. The length, width and height stand at 3,545 mm, 1,490 mm and 1,475 mm, respectively, while the wheelbase measures 2,360 mm. The hatchback has a ground clearance of 160 mm and the boot space measure 177-litre.

The dimensions of the Maruti Alto K10 has been maintained as the old version. 

2019 Maruti Alto K10 Performance

In terms of the engine and transmission, the Maruti Alto K10 still keeps under its hood a lightweight 1.0-litre 4-cylinder 12V K Series petrol motor which is good for a maximum power of 67.1 bhp at 6,000 rpm and a peak torque of 90 Nm of at 3,500 rpm. The transmission duties are undertaken by a standard 5-speed MT and an optional 5-speed AMT gearbox. The hatchback can reach a maximum speed of 145 kmph and can deliver a fuel mileage of 24.07 kmpl which can alter, depending on the road conditions, the vehicle’s weight, etc.

2019 Maruti Alto K10 Price

The updated safety features have led to a price increase of up to INR 26,946. The new model now is priced in a range of INR 3,65,843 to INR 4,44,777 (ex-showroom, Delhi). The old model’s prices started at INR 3,38,897 and went up to INR 4,43,558 (ex-showroom). 

2019 Maruti Alto K10 Verdict

Overall, apart from the updates in terms of safety features on offer, the new Alto K10 has experienced no other remarkable alterations. The new safety pieces of equipment, which help the car fully adhere to the AIS-145 safety standards, have made the price of the vehicle slightly higher. Maruti Suzuki has become the first manufacturer in the segment to comply with the updated norms well in advance. However, it remains to be seen if the potential buyers would appreciate the early rollout of the updates and won't mind paying a slight premium over the previous version. 

What do you think about the new Alto K10 and its prospects in India? Do you think that with all the upgrades done on the new hatchback which result in a hiking price, the 2019 Maruti Alto K10 can still maintain a good sales number as what its previous version used to do? Please write to us to share your ideas.

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