Alto VXi re-launched

Exterior Definite improvement. Alto is now a much better looking car.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Interior space was adequate for four. When compared to the Zen Estillo and A Star, the rear seat leg space was more and the car felt roomier. (I saw one family taking delivery of a new Alto- there were SIX adults in the car, four sitting on the rear seat. This proves that the car is very roomy!!! Just kidding!).

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox This is probably the best asset of the car. It feels very powerful. If you accelerate freely, it feels as fast as a Honda City, and certainly better than a Swift. But as is the case with all Maruti cars, the gearing is tall and you have to shift to the first gear at very slow speeds. Torquey feel of the cars like Santro is missing. You expect this bigger engine to be torquey at low revs but it is not. Mid range of the power band is very good. Gear box is very good and gives you a feel of a upper segment car. Fuel economy as per Maruti is as good as or better than the Alto 800, which is good. The older VXi 1.1 was a little more thirsty.

Ride Quality & Handling I drove the old Alto after the test drive of the Alto K10, and I can say that the ride quality of the new car was much better than the old one. Handling- cannot comment as the test drive was not long enough. 

Final Words A much better car, better buy than the other Maruti small hatch backs.

Areas of improvement The engine though very powerful, feels unrefined and vibrations are felt while idling. This is very irritating. One can understand that this is a three pot engine but so is the old Alto engine, and it scores better on these aspects.

Alloys on VXi??

Performance, Gear Box, Air ConVibrations while idling, engine not smooth.