Suzuki Alto road tests and consumer car reviews

Suzuki Alto SZ3 2009

I’ve done 50,000 miles in it now and apart from the universal, but minor faults of the rear washer pipe coming off and a rattle from the engine mounts it’s been perfect. I get 58mpg combined cycle, less than the advertised 64mpg, but still pretty good. Fun to drive, cheap as chips to tax and insure. What are you waiting for?

Suzuki Alto SZ4 2010

Suzuki’s Alto is rationalism made metal. Stylish, compact, functional, modern and thoroughly alluring, it is fastidiously sculpted. This small car is cheap, fun, practical and safe and will allow you more driving satisfaction than many more expensive city cars - and it will pass the scrutiny of your insurers with barely a twitch of an eyebrow. Suzuki certainly know superminis, making the Alto a car in which you can tackle serious journeys, enjoy on roads which duck and dive - yet it’s equally amenable to city work. It’s just 3.5 metres long and is one of the smallest cars on the road yet it’s a five-door hatch: which adds to the convenience greatly. Inside there’s room for four adults in reasonable comfort - but you can’t have everything. Boot space is small as you would expect; but this doesn’t matter if there’s only two of you because the rear seats fold flat. The interior is simple, tasteful and well executed with seats that are comfortable and supportive and with trim that is easy on the eye. The Alto is good for short hop and long haul alike. Prices start at £8,345 and rise to £9,130 for the SZ4 tested, which has as standard, alloy wheels, curtain airbags, power windows, a decent sound system, air conditioning and ESP traction control - a feature that proved invaluable during the snowy test conditions. The little lightweight (885kgs) Suzuki simply ’flew’ up hills that had macho ’off roaders’ struggling! It most definitely was confidence inspiring, nimbly nipping around the uncontrollable masses of heavyweight metal sliding into each other. Powered by a fully proven 67bhp 996cc three-cylinder engine, which allows a top speed of 96mph, the Alto is no rocket ship - reaching cruising speed in time for tea. But don’t let that put you off. It’s an eager engine that seems to be sadomasochistic, begging to be thrashed hard. Being a very light car means that if you use the five speed gearbox properly, you can make rapid progress: and you still get nearly 65mpg overall. Once up to motorway speeds you can ’back off’’ to just a whiff of throttle and 70/80mph is fairly quiet and relaxed if the car is just ’one-up’. Fill it full of three tubby passengers and it is harder work. ’I’ve heard it all before’ I hear you say. ’Little engines only last five minutes before they expire.’ Well I’m pleased to tell you that if they are anything to do with Suzuki they don’t. Witness the legendary 1200cc engine from the Suzuki Bandit. (Motorcycle). Even when fuelled by nitro glycerine and an atom bomb - and then criminally abused, this motor has surely set a standard for all Suzuki engineering - so I feel confident that Alto mechanicals will stand the tests of time: unlike some other small cars which have fallen apart because you once used full throttle for a hundred yards. Unlike some small cars, you don’t bounce along in an Alto. The ride is fairly composed and secure and if you do wish to drive like Dr.Deranged you won’t end up in a pickle or a ditch because the Alto is not just a shopping trolley for blue-rinse matrons: it’s actually fun to drive exuberantly. The Alto seems to have a charm all of its own. Whilst successfully meeting the requirements of trusty Trevor and Theresa who need a ’champion little motor’ and will never exceed the speed limit, the Alto has hidden depths - being capable of so much more.

Suzuki Alto SZ4 2009

I’m 22 and bought my Alto in May and have so far done over 2000 miles. This is a really good little car and well worth the money. It’s good for both short and long distance journeys and can sit at 70mph comfortably and can go faster when needed. Again, it can do this with ease. It is also good and turning sharp corners and performing manoeuvres, for example:- three point turns or parking. It’s cheap to run, very good on petrol and the tax is only £35 a year and apparently next year going down to £20! The exterior has a quirky design and is well finished. There’s a rubber seal underneath the bonnet stopping water from running down the inside of the engine and thus preventing rust. The interior is smart. The A/C is brilliant as is the CD player and speakers with nice dials unlike the Aygo or C1. There is enough space for four average sized people. The boot is small however; if more space is needed the seats fold down flat giving ample space. Again well worth the money!

Suzuki Alto SZ4 2009

At 79 years of age, I’ve had quite a few cars since starting to drive at 18 and I was interested in a new Ford Fiesta to replace my 2006 Fiesta but not at over 13,000 pounds. Luckily my dealer holds a Suzuiki dealership as well and this is how I was offered the new Suzuki Alto SZ4 model. Had this for four months now, completed 2,800 miles without a hitch. I cannot praise the car enough. Very economical, sips petrol, extremely smooth, very easy to drive and for the price well equipped. I have been very suprised at the performance of the 3 cylinder 996cc engine. Who wants to achieve 60 mph in 10 secs anyway? The only complaint is that although Suzuki have produced one of the lowest emission cars on the market, they have awarded the automatic model like mine a road tax £104 pa. Why ? The manual model is only £35.00. Best wishes, from a very satisfied owner.

Suzuki Alto 2003

Power steering far too sensitive, the least twitch and I was on wrong side of road. Just touch the brakes and I slam forward. The only good thing was the 70 MPG.

Suzuki Alto 2006

Cheap to run, car tax is only £35 per year. If your not looking for a status symbol and you only want a car to get you from a - b then I think this car is spot on. Great on fuel as well.

Suzuki Alto 1.0 GL 5dr 2003

They say you get what you pay for. It’s a good little no fills runaround but there’s nothing comfortable about it. Not built for motorway driving either! Fine on short distance if you jst need something to get you from A to B and very frugal on petrol.

Responses to this review

I had a Fiesta for 8 months and had no end of problems with it! Decided to down size and trade in for a cheaper car, got a 2003 Suzuki Alto with some money back from the other one too. Fun to drive, like the steering feel, in control unlike the Fiesta. Only thing I would say is it can be a bit low down and bumpy. But it’s a nice quiet drive. Seems reliable, time will tell though it’s all i need - Emma from England