Suzuki Alto (2009 – 2015) Review

Suzuki Alto (2009 – 2015) At A Glance

3/5

+Cute little small hatch clone offering low emissions, low tax, good fuel economy and a proper 4-speed automatic option. Decent to drive.

-Thrummy 3-cylinder engine. Not as sophisticated as a Hyundai i10.

Insurance Group 4
On average it achieves 81% of the official MPG figure

Visiting the Paris Motor Show in October 2008, I was surprised to see what looked like a facelifted Citroen C1 on the Nissan stand. Time for some re-education.

It turned out that what I was looking at was the Nissan Pixo version of the new Suzuki Alto, a car I was first alerted to by the boss of Hyundai as a serious competitor to his excellent i10. So I went to have a look at the new Alto on the Suzuki stand.

Compared to the Nissan Pixo it's definitely the better looking of these almost identical twins. And it differs from the C1, 107 and Aygo by having a two-piece hatchback instead of one made entirely of glass. However it does share weight and cost-saving features of the Citroen C1 clones, like pop-open rather than wind-down rear door windows, rear seats that fold back onto the squabs instead of folding flat, no a/c in the SZ2 base model and only two rear seatbelts, making the air-conditioned, 5 year warranted, similarly priced Hyundai i10 1.2 Classic seem luxurious in comparison.

At least, emitting just 103g/km, your company can buy you a manual Alto and offset 100% against a single year's tax. And when cars under 110g/km finally come down to £20pa VED, private drivers will make a useful saving there.

The Suzuki Alto SZ2 and SZ3 are also Group 1 insurance, like the Citroen C1 clones, and that can mean quite a big reduction on insurance for your drivers.

Real MPG average for a Suzuki Alto (2009 – 2015)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

81%

Real MPG

38–65 mpg

MPGs submitted

145

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

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Ask Honest John

Suzuki Alto - cam belt or chain?

"Does the Suzuki Alto 2009 have a cam belt or chain? "
The Suzuki Alto 1.0 litre three-cylinder K10B engine uses a chain cam.
Answered by Dan Powell

Why is water getting in the driver side footwell when using the rear washer?

"When I use the rear washer on my Suzuki Alto I get water in the driver's side footwell. Have I knocked a pipe somewhere and is the pipe somewhere near the accelerator pedal? "
There will be two pipes from the pump. One goes to the front screen washers. The other goes through the car, either inside the roof lining or along the floor, to the rear washer. If the rear washer does not work at all, then the pipe has come off a union.
Answered by Honest John

Auto gearbox oil changes - when do I have to change?

"Both of my cars have a standard automatic gearboxes. Is there any mileage recommendation for replacement of the fluid in these transmissions. Curious as there seem to be fluid replacement problems in many auto boxes these days. They are a Honda Civic 2010 and a Suzuki Alto 2013."
The Civic has a 5-speed torque converter auto and the Alto has a 4-speed torque converter auto. It would probably benefit both to change the fluid after 5 to 6 years. Not as necessary as with a Dual Clutch transmission, a CVT, or a torque converter auto with 6 speeds or more (some now have 9).
Answered by Honest John

Which city car auto is best?

"My wife is looking for a small three year old automatic for town driving. The Hyundai i10/Kia Picanto/Suzuki Alto are in the mix as they have torque converter gearboxes. Which is likely to be the most reliable / cheapest to run in your opinion?"
The i10 or the Picanto. The Alto will be cheaper, but not better.
Answered by Honest John
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