This’s the Suzuki Alto. Seen it before? Of course you have. It’s everywhere. Taxi guys. First-time buyers. Aunties. College kids. Everyone drives one. But is it good? Or just cheap?
Let's talk.
First Impressions
From the outside? Tiny. No doubt. Feels like a toy, almost. But clean. Simple. Those rounded corners. Compact body. It's not trying too hard. And that’s a good thing.
This one’s the VXL AGS variant. Automatic gear shift. Little badge at the back says so. Front grille? Okay-ish. Bit plasticky. But neat. Headlights? Huge. Kinda bubbly.
Colour? Mine’s graphite grey. Looks smart. But you get others. Like Silky Silver, Solid White, Cerulean Blue, Pearl Red, Sand Beige, and Black. Each one got its own vibe. White’s most common tho.
All variants? There's three in Pakistan (as of now). VX, VXR, and VXL. VX is base. Manual windows. No AC. Bare bones. VXR gives you AC, power steering. VXL is top-end. Power windows. AGS option. Dual airbags. Alloy wheels.
Now let’s get in.
Interior & Comfort
Plastic. That’s the first thing you feel. Everything’s plastic. Dash, doors, handles. But not rough. It's smooth-ish. Functional. Don't expect soft leather or fancy stitching. It’s not that kind of car.
Seats? Thin. But firm. Fabric material. Comfortable for city rides. Headrest’s fixed though. Bit annoying for tall ones.
Driver seat? Okay view. Small bonnet visible. Mirrors are manual in VX and VXR. Power in VXL. Dashboard’s... simple. Speedometer dead center. Fuel gauge to the side. No tachometer unless VXL.
Rear seat? Legroom's tight. For kids? Fine. For adults? 2 max. 3 will fight. Trust me. Storage spaces? Limited. Small glovebox. Cupholders? Two. That’s it. But enough for day-to-day. Noise insulation? Meh. Engine buzz enters cabin. Road noise too. But again—budget car. Not a Merc.
AC performance? Decent. Gets cool fast. In VXR and VXL. VX? No AC. Big no for summers.
Driving Experience
Started the engine. 3-cylinder, 660cc. Little vibration. Not too loud.
Put it in D (Drive). Easy to shift. AGS is a bit jerky tho. Between 1st and 2nd gear. That pause? You feel it. It's not smooth like CVT. But manageable.
In city traffic? Drives fine. Zips around corners. Super nimble. Turning radius is sharp. You can U-turn in tightest streets. That’s where Alto shines. It’s like a rickshaw but better. Much better.
On highways? Struggles. 100 km/h feels like 140. Engine gets loud. Feels floaty. Crosswinds push it around. Brakes are okay. Front disc, rear drum. Not performance brakes, just basic.
Suspension’s soft. Good for bumps. But body rolls when cornering hard. Not a sporty drive. But that’s not the goal, is it?
Steering? Light. Good in traffic. Feels disconnected at high speeds. Again – city use. Not GT road warriors.
Manual variant (VX/VXR)? More control. Bit more fun. But still, it's just 660cc. Keep your expectations low.
Mileage & Fuel Efficiency
This is where Alto wins.
Petrol prices sky-high. Still, this car sips fuel like it’s drinking tea in slow motion.
In city? With AC? 15–17 km/l.
On highway? Light foot. No AC? Up to 21 km/l.
Fuel tank's small tho. Around 27 liters. So refills come quick. But still cheap.
One full tank? (depending fuel rate). Gives solid week’s worth of driving if you're not going crazy.
Engine’s tiny. That’s why it's so efficient. But you gotta drive light. Push it, and mileage drops fast.
Features & Tech
Let’s not dream big.
This ain’t no Tesla.
VXL AGS variant gets:
• Dual airbags
• Power windows
• Power steering
• Keyless entry
• Infotainment (basic, USB/AUX. No Android Auto)
• Central locking
• Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
VX? Zero. Bare frame.
VXR? Mid-level. Power steering, AC, immobilizer.
No reverse cam in any. Gotta install aftermarket.
Speakers? Only two. Sound’s okayish. Bass? Nope.
Digital meter? Nope. Analog. But it works.
No touchscreen. Unless you mod.
Wipers work well. Headlights are halogen. No DRLs. No fog lights in base.
So yeah. Basic tech. But it’s something.
Advantages
• Fuel efficiency. Best in class.
• Easy to park. City-friendly.
• Spare parts? Everywhere. Cheap.
• Maintenance cost? Very low.
• Resale? Solid. Always in demand.
• AC performance is actually impressive.
• VXL AGS makes life easy in traffic.
• Cute look. Like a hamster on wheels.
Disadvantages
• Jerky AGS. Not for smooth drivers.
• Interior feels cheap.
• Rear seat legroom = limited.
• Not for highways or long drives.
• No luxury feel. None.
• No touchscreen or reverse cam.
• Build quality? Light. Feels thin.
• Safety? Only 2 airbags in VXL. None in VX/VXR.
So yeah. It's a trade-off. Budget vs. comfort.
Personal Opinion
I’ve driven sedans. SUVs. Even a 125cc bike in traffic. But nothing zips through narrow roads like the Alto.
It’s not thrilling. But it’s practical. And when your wallet’s light? Alto makes sense.
AGS gearbox, though? Needs patience. It learns your driving, kinda. But still clunky. If you're picky? Go for manual.
Interior didn’t impress. But then again, didn’t expect to be impressed. It’s a tool. A commuter. And it does its job.
Parking’s a dream. You slide into tight spaces. Reverse with ease. Visibility’s good. Mirrors could be better. But hey.
Would I buy it again? Yes. If I’m stuck in daily traffic. Want to save fuel. Want peace of mind. But for long journeys, with family? No chance. Too small. Too noisy. I’d take something bigger.
Summary
Suzuki Alto is not a luxury car.
It doesn’t try to be.
It’s an affordable car. For the masses. For the practical ones. For the hustlers.
You get great mileage. Cheap parts. Easy maintenance. And peace of mind. But you also get compromise. On space. On comfort. On speed.
Best use? City driving. College. Office. Drops. Pickups. Uber. Careem. All of that.
Variants?
• VX: Bare minimum. No AC. For fleet usage.
• VXR: Best value. AC, power steering.
• VXL AGS: Best features. Auto. Convenience.
Colours? White, Red, Grey, Silver, Blue, Beige, Black.
Each got its charm.
Just don’t expect more than what it’s meant for.
It’s a small car. For a small budget.
And that’s okay.
From the outside? Tiny. No doubt. Feels like a toy, almost. But clean. Simple. Those rounded corners. Compact body. It's not trying too hard. And that’s a good thing.
This one’s the VXL AGS variant. Automatic gear shift. Little badge at the back says so. Front grille? Okay-ish. Bit plasticky. But neat. Headlights? Huge. Kinda bubbly.
Colour? Mine’s graphite grey. Looks smart. But you get others. Like Silky Silver, Solid White, Cerulean Blue, Pearl Red, Sand Beige, and Black. Each one got its own vibe. White’s most common tho.
All variants? There's three in Pakistan (as of now). VX, VXR, and VXL. VX is base. Manual windows. No AC. Bare bones. VXR gives you AC, power steering. VXL is top-end. Power windows. AGS option. Dual airbags. Alloy wheels.
Now let’s get in.
Interior & Comfort
Plastic. That’s the first thing you feel. Everything’s plastic. Dash, doors, handles. But not rough. It's smooth-ish. Functional. Don't expect soft leather or fancy stitching. It’s not that kind of car.
Seats? Thin. But firm. Fabric material. Comfortable for city rides. Headrest’s fixed though. Bit annoying for tall ones.
Driver seat? Okay view. Small bonnet visible. Mirrors are manual in VX and VXR. Power in VXL. Dashboard’s... simple. Speedometer dead center. Fuel gauge to the side. No tachometer unless VXL.
Rear seat? Legroom's tight. For kids? Fine. For adults? 2 max. 3 will fight. Trust me. Storage spaces? Limited. Small glovebox. Cupholders? Two. That’s it. But enough for day-to-day. Noise insulation? Meh. Engine buzz enters cabin. Road noise too. But again—budget car. Not a Merc.
AC performance? Decent. Gets cool fast. In VXR and VXL. VX? No AC. Big no for summers.
Started the engine. 3-cylinder, 660cc. Little vibration. Not too loud.
Put it in D (Drive). Easy to shift. AGS is a bit jerky tho. Between 1st and 2nd gear. That pause? You feel it. It's not smooth like CVT. But manageable.
In city traffic? Drives fine. Zips around corners. Super nimble. Turning radius is sharp. You can U-turn in tightest streets. That’s where Alto shines. It’s like a rickshaw but better. Much better.
On highways? Struggles. 100 km/h feels like 140. Engine gets loud. Feels floaty. Crosswinds push it around. Brakes are okay. Front disc, rear drum. Not performance brakes, just basic.
Suspension’s soft. Good for bumps. But body rolls when cornering hard. Not a sporty drive. But that’s not the goal, is it?
Steering? Light. Good in traffic. Feels disconnected at high speeds. Again – city use. Not GT road warriors.
Manual variant (VX/VXR)? More control. Bit more fun. But still, it's just 660cc. Keep your expectations low.
This is where Alto wins.
Petrol prices sky-high. Still, this car sips fuel like it’s drinking tea in slow motion.
In city? With AC? 15–17 km/l.
On highway? Light foot. No AC? Up to 21 km/l.
Fuel tank's small tho. Around 27 liters. So refills come quick. But still cheap.
One full tank? (depending fuel rate). Gives solid week’s worth of driving if you're not going crazy.
Engine’s tiny. That’s why it's so efficient. But you gotta drive light. Push it, and mileage drops fast.
Features & Tech
Let’s not dream big.
This ain’t no Tesla.
VXL AGS variant gets:
• Dual airbags
• Power windows
• Power steering
• Keyless entry
• Infotainment (basic, USB/AUX. No Android Auto)
• Central locking
• Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
VX? Zero. Bare frame.
VXR? Mid-level. Power steering, AC, immobilizer.
No reverse cam in any. Gotta install aftermarket.
Speakers? Only two. Sound’s okayish. Bass? Nope.
Digital meter? Nope. Analog. But it works.
No touchscreen. Unless you mod.
Wipers work well. Headlights are halogen. No DRLs. No fog lights in base.
So yeah. Basic tech. But it’s something.
• Fuel efficiency. Best in class.
• Easy to park. City-friendly.
• Spare parts? Everywhere. Cheap.
• Maintenance cost? Very low.
• Resale? Solid. Always in demand.
• AC performance is actually impressive.
• VXL AGS makes life easy in traffic.
• Cute look. Like a hamster on wheels.
Disadvantages
• Jerky AGS. Not for smooth drivers.
• Interior feels cheap.
• Rear seat legroom = limited.
• Not for highways or long drives.
• No luxury feel. None.
• No touchscreen or reverse cam.
• Build quality? Light. Feels thin.
• Safety? Only 2 airbags in VXL. None in VX/VXR.
So yeah. It's a trade-off. Budget vs. comfort.
I’ve driven sedans. SUVs. Even a 125cc bike in traffic. But nothing zips through narrow roads like the Alto.
It’s not thrilling. But it’s practical. And when your wallet’s light? Alto makes sense.
AGS gearbox, though? Needs patience. It learns your driving, kinda. But still clunky. If you're picky? Go for manual.
Interior didn’t impress. But then again, didn’t expect to be impressed. It’s a tool. A commuter. And it does its job.
Parking’s a dream. You slide into tight spaces. Reverse with ease. Visibility’s good. Mirrors could be better. But hey.
Would I buy it again? Yes. If I’m stuck in daily traffic. Want to save fuel. Want peace of mind. But for long journeys, with family? No chance. Too small. Too noisy. I’d take something bigger.
Suzuki Alto is not a luxury car.
It doesn’t try to be.
It’s an affordable car. For the masses. For the practical ones. For the hustlers.
You get great mileage. Cheap parts. Easy maintenance. And peace of mind. But you also get compromise. On space. On comfort. On speed.
Best use? City driving. College. Office. Drops. Pickups. Uber. Careem. All of that.
Variants?
• VX: Bare minimum. No AC. For fleet usage.
• VXR: Best value. AC, power steering.
• VXL AGS: Best features. Auto. Convenience.
Colours? White, Red, Grey, Silver, Blue, Beige, Black.
Each got its charm.
Just don’t expect more than what it’s meant for.
It’s a small car. For a small budget.
And that’s okay.
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