Maruti Alto K10

The name Alto doesn’t need any introduction For years it has been a bestseller in the Indian market and now while you don't get the 800, what you do get is the better looking and better equipped Alto K10. The good thing is, the upgrades are not just limited to cosmetics as the rest of the car is brand new too. It is the most affordable car in the market and its priority is to offer a comfortable ride and ease of driving. But can it do that? Finf out here.

• The Alto K10 looks just like any entry-level product with little to no contrasting elements.

• Its large teardrop-shaped headlamps and the massive curved grille makes it look happy and pleasing to the eyes.

• The slim bumper and the sharp lines next to the grille add little aggression to this design.

• The side profile is pretty plain but that’s what you expect at this price. It looks bigger than its now-discontinued brother – Alto 800, and the 13-inch wheels feel right for this size.

• All variants come with 13-inch steel wheels where the top two variants get wheel covers.

• The back has large tail lamps and the overall design looks good and simple.

• The 2025 Maruti Alto K10 is available in 7 monotone shades: Metallic Sizzling Red, Metallic Silky Silver, Metallic Granite Grey, Metallic Speedy Blue, Premium Earth Gold, Solid White, and Bluish Black.

• Bluish Black is only available in the top-spec VXi and VXi+ variants.

Design & Quality

• The dashboard has a flat and plain looking design with subtle chrome touches on the steering wheel and around the infotainment system.

• All the buttons and controls are placed very ergonomically and are easy to operate. 

• There is nothing to complain about when it comes to material quality, and the fit and finish is up to the mark.

• However, the cover of the left front airbag feels uneven.

Driving Position

• If you’re 5’6”, you’ll find the driving position to be ideal for your height.

• But the setting wheel has no tilt or telescopic adjustment and the driver also misses out on a height adjustable seat.

• So if any tall passenger sits here, it would become difficult to find an ideal driving position, and their knees will also be close to the steering wheel.

• As far as front seats are concerned, they are wide and accommodating, but due to the small contours, there’s a lack of side support.

Passenger Comfort

• Rear seats have good space for 2 passengers.

• The seat provides good underthigh support, and there is a good amount of knee room, legroom, and headroom for tall passengers.

• But just like the front, there is a lack of side support due to the seatback being almost  flat, and there is no centre armrest for longer journeys.

• The headrests are also fixed and small, which do not provide good support.

Storage Spaces

• Front passengers get two cupholders, a tray to keep your phone, large door pockets, and a decent sized glovebox to keep their stuff.

• But rear passengers don’t get any storage space, which is a big miss.

Features

• Since it is an entry-level model, the feature list is small and only covers the basics.

• The Alto gets a 7-inch touchscreen, with an outdated user interface, but it does support wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

• Other than this, it gets basic features like front power windows, manual AC, steering mounted controls, and keyless entry.

• Some feature misses include rear power windows, height adjustable driver seat, and a rearview camera.

• When it comes to safety, it only gets features like dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, and electronic stability program (ESP).

• Also, it was crash tested at Global NCAP in 2023, where it came out with just a 2-star safety rating.

• The 2025 Maruti Alto K10 comes with a boot space of 214-litres, which is just enough to keep 3 small suitcases.

• If you need more space, you can fold the rear seat, but there is no 60:40 split.

• The 2025 Alto K10 comes with a 1-litre petrol engine which can be had with either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 5-speed AMT (automated manual transmission).

• Maruti also offers a factory fitted CNG kit with this engine that’s paired only with a manual transmission.

1-litre Petrol

• The Alto K10 feels peppy to drive and due to its low-end torque, it's easy to drive in the city.

• The car is lightweight and the engine has strong power delivery, which makes it fun to drive.

• It does take some time to get to high speeds, and highway overtakes will require some planning, but that’s what you can expect from an entry-level model.

• Also, while the engine feels composed at low speeds, you will hear noise and feel vibrations during hard acceleration.

• With the manual, you get a light clutch and the gear throws are slick and easy.

• However, for driving convenience, the AMT would be better as it works fine while keeping jerks to a minimum.

• In the city, the manual offers a fuel efficiency of around 16-17 kmpl, and on the highway it goes over 21 kmpl.

• The AMT will offer a similar fuel efficiency.

1-litre Petrol + CNG

• The CNG powertrain’s city drive experience will be similar to the standard petrol’s, and you won’t really feel any lack of power.

• But highway drives will become a little dull, and the engine will be louder under stress.

• The upside is a claimed fuel efficiency of 33.40 km/kg.

• The Alto K10 focuses on ease of driving and passenger comfort.

• It manages to keep the passengers comfortable on poorly built city roads and absorbs potholes with ease.

• Even on highways, it remains stable on undulations and prevents too much passenger movement inside the cabin.

• While the suspensions work silently, there is a fair amount of tyre noise due to lack of insulation.

• With a light steering wheel and compact size, it is very easy to maneuver in the city, making it a very good city commuter.

• The 2025 Alto K10 comes in four variants: STD (O), LXi (O), VXi (O), and VXi+ (O).

• LXi (O) and VXi (O) get the option of a CNG powertrain, and AMT is offered with the VXi (O) and VXi+ (O) variants.

STD (O)

• Bare bones variant with halogen lighting elements and 13-inch steel wheel with no wheel covers.

• Features include digital speedometer, dual front airbags, electronic stability program (ESP), ABS with EBD, and rear parking sensors.

LXi (O)

• This is the entry level CNG variant.

• Adds body coloured bumpers to the exterior.

• Feature additions include manual AC, and a powered steering wheel.

VXi (O)

• Entry level variant for AMT.

• Gets a roof antenna, body coloured outside door handles, and full wheel covers.

• Comes with front power windows, bluetooth compatibility, and 2 speakers.

VXi+ (O)

• Gets chrome inserts in the cabin for a better look.

• Adds a 7-inch touchscreen, wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, keyless entry, and a 4-speaker sound system to the feature list.

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• You can go for the VXi (O) variant if you’re willing to spend more on accessories and an aftermarket infotainment system.

• But the VXi+ (O) offers a more complete package including an infotainment package and a better looking cabin.

Overall, the Maruti Alto K10 really impresses but there are some shortfalls as well. The engine gets vocal at higher revs, there are absolutely no storage spaces for rear seat passengers and there are some key convenience features missing too. 

Apart from this, the Alto K10 is hard to fault. It is likeable inside out, the engine is powerful with excellent drivability, it has space for four people, the ride quality is comfortable, and it is extremely easy to drive.

Other Options To Consider

Maruti Celerio

Reasons To Consider

• Modern styling

• Better looking cabin

Reasons To Ignore

• More expensive

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Maruti S-Presso

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• Similar price

• Better rear seat space

Reasons To Ignore

• Funky styling might not appeal to everyone