Maruti Alto 800 : If you’re looking to buy your first car and have a budget under ₹5 lakh, the Maruti Alto 800 could be a great choice. This car is one of India’s best-selling entry-level hatchbacks, popular for its affordable price, good mileage, and low maintenance costs. Let’s take a closer look at what it offers.
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Maruti Alto 800 – Overview
The Alto 800 comes with a 796cc, 3-cylinder petrol engine that delivers 48 bhp power and 69 Nm torque. It gives an ARAI-certified mileage of 22.05 kmpl and is available in both 5-speed manual and AMT (automatic) transmission options. The fuel tank capacity is 35 litres, and it seats 5 people comfortably. Prices start at ₹3.54 lakh (ex-showroom) and go up to ₹5.13 lakh for the top automatic variant.
Design & Looks
Alto 800 comes with a good looking, but very functional. Easy to drive in the city and park, it has a sharp chassis suited for city driving with its compact body. The front grille and headlights of the newer models have been tweaked a little bit to give it a more recent feel. It doesn’t have much inside, you get the basics: AC, power steering and music system etc. Budget feel of plastic, which is the name of the game at this price bracket.
Performance
The 796cc engine works well in a city, it gives you seamless acceleration through traffic. Clutch is also light and power steering makes it good. Highway wise the car is ok to 80-100kph, but becomes noisy and the engine diehard, thereafter. If you just want an easy driving experience that shuns stop-and-go traffic, then the AMT version is awesome.
Mileage
Alto 800 with its best fuel economy and The biggest highlight The Alto 800 has One of the biggest highlights of Alto 800. The ARAI rating is 22.05 kmpl but in the real world, you will manage around 16 – 18 kmpl which still one of the best in its segment for a very good job. It is very economical and you can travel around 500-600km on a full 35 lit fuel tank, hence suitable for daily use.
Comfort & Space
A compact car so the space is going to be tight. The front sits nice, but the rear seats ended up being a little overcrowded. 4-5 people should be able to fit on long term drives as it may feel cramped for a bit it’s ok for short trips. Suspension set up Indian roads well the small potholes, but you can feel bigger ones in the ride.
Price & Variants
The Alto 800 comes in multiple variants:
- Standard (Manual) – ₹3.54 lakh
- LX (Manual) – ₹4.19 lakh
- VX (Manual) – ₹4.60 lakh
- AMT (Automatic) – ₹5.13 lakh
If you’re on a tight budget, the Standard variant works, but the VX or AMT versions offer better features for a slightly higher price.
Final Verdict
An economical, fuel efficient and easy-to-drive car — ideal for first-time buyers, small family and city commuters in the budget < 5 Lakh, Maruti Alto 800. But if you want power, space and added benefits such as premium interiors you should look up at Maruti Spresso or the Renault Kwid options too.
