Maruti Alto 800: There are many cars that define affordable personal mobility in India, and the Maruti Alto 800 is one such car.

This compact hatchback has been with us for years, and it’s not just a car — it’s a longtime friend to millions of families and budget-conscious first-time buyers.

Small but practical, the Alto 800 is also popular for its affordable running costs, ease of maintenance, and hassle-free city commuting.

Although it has been replaced by newer models in some markets, the Alto 800 has a decent presence in the used car market, especially for people who are looking for a simple, reliable runabout that is also easy on the pockets, when it comes to fuel bills.

Compact and Practical Design

The looks of Maruti Alto 800 are basic, functional and well-meant for Indian roads. It is ideal for squeezing through tight city lanes and crowded bazaars.

Up front the car is decorated with cutesy touches, including a petite grille, curved headlamps and slight scalloping along the bonnet to make it seem cute and endearing.

Sure, the shape isn’t shouting premium, but it is tall and features ridiculously short overhangs for the same reason — to make driving nice and parking stress free.

The tiny wheels and tall ground clearance is well suited for the Indian roads which are full of speed breakers and rough terrains.

Simple Design Despite that Minimalist Interior

It is simplicity inside the Alto 800. The dash is simple and contains user-friendly controls and reasonably good materials for the money.

There’s a dual-tone theme to the interior, and the textures and colors are tastefully apartied so as to not boresight the place.

The vehicle easily seats four adults for short, medium journeys. The rear seat may be a tight fit for three adults, but accommodates small families quite nicely.

The boot is small but will handle the daily shop or two travel bags.

Basic features in the Alto 800 consist of a touchscreen infotainment system (on higher variants), power windows, front power socket, manual AC and a bottle holders to name a few.

It’s not particularly feature-rich, but it hits all the right notes.

Efficient and Reliable Engine

The Alto 800 gets its power from a 796cc, 3-cylinder petrol motor that produces approximately 48 PS of power and 69 Nm of torque. Though the performance figures are low, the motor is designed to be efficient and well suited to the city.

The car is so light that the engine has a perky feel, even at low speeds.

It’s offered with a 5-speed manual transmission that provides crisp shifts.

The sprocket ratios are well-suited for city duties, the clutch is light, and it’s a perfect fit for places with a lot of traffic. It’s happiest at 40–60 km/h, when it feels punchy and economical.

Fuel economy is one of the USPs of the Alto 800 and it can return anything from 22-24 km/l under real-world conditions, depending on the kind of usage you put your car to.

There’s also an CNG alternative for those who desire still cheaper running costs.

Easy to Drive and Maintain

Its a gratifying experience to drive the Alto 800. And the light steering, good vision out at all angles and tiny turning circle makes for easy U-turns and tucking into tight parking spaces.

The suspension is comfort-tuned and soaks up typical city bumps with ease.

Because it’s a Maruti, it has access to a whopping service network, cheap replacement parts, and dependable after-sales assistance.

It’s one of India’s cheapest cars to maintain, which is particularly appealing for first-time car buyers.

MG Hector – Fortuner competitor launch with full high quality features

Pros of Maruti Alto 800

Excellent on gas, ideal for every day travel

Inexpensive to buy and maintain

Small size, perfect for city use

Can park and drive easily even through short spaces

Maruti trust-value of resale and reliability

Cons of Maruti Alto 800

Plain interiors and few frills

Not great on the highway for long trips

Three-adult-friendly rear seat is snug

Engine may not be best for hilly areas

No automatic version, few comfort options at all

Maruti Alto 800: Final Verdict

The Maruti Alto 800 is not a car that would necessarily look to impress you with a fancy interior. It’s a car designed to do a job—to offer reliable, affordable and low cost transport to the masses.

Whether you’re into buying your first car, or looking for a second car to drive in the city, or simply want a reliable car to travel to work economically, the Alto 800 fits the bill.