In many ways, Maruti Alto 800 has been the go-to car for Indian families, especially when it comes to first-time car buyers. One of the most sold cars in the Indian market till date, Alto was launched as the successor to Maruti 800, another milestone car in the history of Indian cars.
Launched way back in 2000, Alto 800 has remained the favourite hatchbacks in India for decades. It was taken off the production units in 2023 as the company couldn’t upgrade the engine to meet the BS6 Phase 2 norms in the given budget. Yet, it remains one of the most easily found cars in every corner of the country. More details on why it is the most loved car in India have been discussed in this blog.
Table of Contents
- Affordability of Alto 800
The biggest reason for car enthusiasts in India to vouch for Alto was its affordability. By affordability we don’t refer only to its purchase cost. It also justified its buying by offering a low running cost owing to its high fuel-efficiency and cheap maintenance.
The petrol variant offers mileage up to 22 Kmpl (ARAI Certified) whereas the CNG variant offers mileage of up to 32 km/kg. The widespread network of Maruti service centres across the country ensures that the buyers don’t find any issues in getting the spare parts. The spare parts are available at economical pricing even in the local car markets even today.
The maintenance costs per year can easily range between Rs. 2000 to Rs. 6500 depending upon the car’s condition. Due to all these reasons, Maruti Alto was a killer car in the budget segment. Car buyers still prefer it due to these reasons and therefore, you’d find a high demand for this car in the used car market even today!
- Practical & Reliable
The Maruti Alto 800 was launched as a successor to the Maruti 800. Both these cars belong to the mini-hatchback car type. So, the Alto 800 is a compact and lightweight car that can be easily cruised through the Indian cities and narrow rural roads.
It’s simple and basic design ensures that the car remains functional in all weather conditions. The seats are ergonomically designed to provide the much-needed comfort during long trips. Light steering controls, tall seating position, and easy driving ensures that you get a smooth ride quality every time.
You don’t have to struggle a lot while driving through the traffic as its compact frame gets easily through the busy roads.
Though it does not come with a hugely powerful engine, the 796 cc engine is enough to power its lightweight frame through difficult terrains. So, where most regular cars fail to perform in the offroading conditions and hilly terrains, Alto 800 has got itself the tag of ‘Lord Alto’. It glides seamlessly through slippery and difficult terrains putting even the SUVs to shame on countless occasions.
The proud owners of Alto vouch for its practicality and manoeuvrability in difficult conditions. Moreover, the reliability of the Maruti brand ensures that you find any issues while driving in any corner of the country.
The brand value of Maruti Suzuki has also played a critical role in the success of Alto. As new hatchbacks were being introduced by other brands, Maruti kept evolving the Alto 800 with newer generations. It kept fine-tuning its engine for a smoother performance and enhanced fuel-efficiency.
At the same time, safety features such as airbags and Anti-locking Braking System (ABS) were introduced in the later generations to maintain the trust of buyers. Its styling elements got better but the compact and pocket-friendly traits of the car were maintained even in the newer models. All these reasons allowed Maruti Alto to evolve with time without losing its customer base.
- Resale Value
Like we said earlier, Maruti Alto 800 has remained the first choice of countless Indian families. Though it is no longer being manufactured, Alto has sustained its demand and popularity in the second-hand car market.
Alto 800 gives the perfect first-car experience to an average Indian car buyer who doesn’t want to invest too much in a car. The trust and legacy of Maruti cars gives them a feeling of joining a trusted community.
Due to historic record sales of Alto, countless stories of the proud owners keep popping up through newspapers, social media, and other online communities. This creates a feeling of nostalgia among the car buyers which helps to maintain its hype in the used car market.
You could easily find a used Alto 800 in Maruti True Value, Maruti’s own second-hand car showroom/market at affordable rates. Old car markets like Spinny also offer condition-verified Maruti Alto cars with complete service history and maintenance details.
Due to these reasons, the resale value of Alto has sustained over the years. Car buyers are not only impressed by its economical pricing but they also like its practical usage and low running costs.
You can easily find a used Maruti Alto in pre-owned car markets within 3 lakhs. The base variants could be cost even less whereas the higher trims may be a little more expensive. Even then, you could find a well-maintained Alto within your budget. You may not get all the modern features along with automatic transmission and an advanced infotainment system in Alto 800. However, what you get is the reliability and brand value of Maruti’s most trusted and sold car in the market.
Verify the condition of the engine, exteriors, and interiors before getting a used Alto from a second-hand car market. Inspect the service records and history closely to find any irregularities like part replacements or lack of maintenance. Check the tyre condition and total running of the vehicle before making a decision. Get the tyres, engine, and suspension verified by an expert so that you not need to spend additional money after buying a used Maruti Alto 800.
- Nationwide Network
Maruti has its network of service centres and garages spread across the country. You will find most of its spare parts and accessories even in local garages. The easy availability of spare parts and economical service costs has been the big reason behind Maruti Alto’s success.
It basically means that you don’t have to struggle if your car breaks down due to an accident or engine malfunction. The mechanic will get your car started without much effort and you could continue your journey without breaking the bank. Though the spare parts of most Alto models are still available in the market, we would suggest you to go for the newer generation cars. The spare parts for these models will be available for a longer time. Plus, you could drive the newer variants for a longer time without having to worry about the changing emission and car ownership period norms.
Summary
We hope the reasons behind the success and popularity of Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 are clear to you now. One of the best and cheapest cars in the Indian market, the Alto 800 has managed to impress countless customers nationwide. Owing to its strong brand value and legacy, the car is still going strong in the used car market.
Are you looking for a budget car for your small family? Alto 800 can be the perfect choice for your small family. Many first-time car buyers and car learners prefer Alto due to its light steering and easy manoeuvrability. Yet, you must verify the overall condition of the engine, suspension, tyres, and other important parts of the car before buying. Book a long ride on Alto and get it verified by a car expert before buying it. Spinny offers conditioned-verified cars along with immediate service at reasonable rates. Visit Spinny and book your favourite car today!
Also Read: Five Things to Check Before Buying a Pre Owned Maruti Alto 800
FAQs About Alto 800
Q. Is Alto 800 still available in the market?
You won’t find Alto 800 in the Maruti Suzuki showroom anymore as its production was discontinued in 2023. However, it is very much available in the pre-owned car markets because of its popularity and low cost.
Q. Does the Maruti Alto 800 come with an air-conditioning unit?
Only the higher trims i.e. the VXI and LXI variants are fitted with air-conditioning units. Therefore, you won’t find the AC in lower or standard variants. Some car buyers also get the AC installed through a third-party provider in their base variants. However, the car dealers don’t recommend it as it might affect the performance of your car to some extent.
Q. Is Alto 800 the best family car for a budget of up to 3 lakhs?
Yes, Maruti Alto 800 can be the best family car for a budget within 3 lakhs. But if your budget is slightly over 3 lakhs or you want better features, you can opt for Renault Kwid, Maruti Celerio, Hyundai Eon, Honda Brio, or some other brands.
Q. Is the power steering option available in Alto?
Yes, the higher LXI and VXI variants of the Maruti Alto come with power steering option. However, this option is not available for the base and standard variants.
Q. Is Alto a 5-seater or 4-seater car?
Alto 800 is a 5-seater car but comes with a limited cabin space. So, generally only 4 adults can travel in this car comfortably. If you are looking for a 5-seater car without increasing your budget much, you can opt for a used Alto K10.
