Skip advert
Advertisement

Suzuki Alto GL

Things are done very differently at the grass-roots level of bargain-basement motoring. Priorities such as style, refinement and brand image go out of the window, and the reality of a dog-eat-dog price war soon bites. Suzuki's engineers are old hands at low-cost cars, but the new Alto is cheaper to buy and run than ever. Will it have enough to take the value crown?

Despite being a huge improvement over the original Alto, the new model still falls short of the mark set by budget rivals. There is no denying it's good value for money, but with poor interior ergonomics and a disappointing driving experience, the Suzuki loses out to the opposition. However, if you can live with the sluggish performance, the new 1.1-litre engine is very frugal and has impressively low CO2 emissions.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Things are done very differently at the grass-roots level of bargain-basement motoring. Priorities such as style, refinement and brand image go out of the window, and the reality of a dog-eat-dog price war soon bites. Suzuki's engineers are old hands at low-cost cars, but the new Alto is cheaper to buy and run than ever. Will it have enough to take the value crown?

Visually, the Indian-built car is a great improvement on its predecessor, yet it still looks anonymous. It's at least inoffensive and well proportioned, but we'd have liked a more imaginative approach. Thankfully, with a new engine offering great economy and emissions, there is more to this redesign than a refreshed body. The 1.0-litre unit produces only 119g/km of CO2, placing it in the lowest company car tax bracket. As if that wasn't enough, its 57.6mpg is superb.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Qashqai

2018 Nissan

Qashqai

52,849 milesManualDiesel1.5L

Cash £10,900
View Qashqai
5008

2022 Peugeot

5008

46,225 milesManualDiesel1.5L

Cash £18,506
View 5008
Puma

2023 Ford

Puma

67,042 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £12,506
View Puma
EQC

2023 Mercedes

EQC

21,307 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £26,000
View EQC

The downside is that sacrifices have been made on performance. A sloppy gearchange and awkward clutch discourage rapid acceleration, but be brutal and 0-62mph takes 14.8 seconds, with a 96.3mph top speed. The rest of the driving experience is little better, with lifeless steering and a lack of body control. Fortunately, the Alto is destined for city streets, and a black cab-rivalling steering lock makes U-turns easy.

However, driving enthusiasts need not apply, despite the new platform. The latest five-door city car has increased proportions and a longer wheelbase to create a more useable interior. Yet the driver will still feel cramped due to restricted elbow room, while rear legroom is tight. The boot is a decent size, though. The cabin materials are typical of a budget car, with lots of hard plastics. Pricewise, it's a case of more is less, as bosses have slashed the cost of the much-improved Alto to £5,995 for a GL five-door over the old equivalent.

A three-speed auto is also available, at £6,745. This makes the car real value for money, with power-steering, central locking and electric front windows all standard - although if absolute bargain basement motoring is your aim, maybe the firm's bigger but dated Swift Sky, at £4,995, is worth seeking out.

The Alto is all about getting from A-to-B on a budget, and although driving refinement and dynamics are not the main priorities, we think most buyers will be better off elsewhere.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £13,895
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £5,075 off RRP*Used from £14,448
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £1,676 off RRP*
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,721 off RRP*Used from £8,600
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price
BMW X7 - front

Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price

German firm’s flagship SUV could never be called cheap but it is exceptional value at £735 a month – making it our Deal of the Day for Sunday 27 April
News
27 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025