The Alto is one of the incarnations of the a common platform, designed with the Japanese principles of kei-ji-dosha which strictly decide the dimensions a car must confirm to in order to be called a small car, in japan that is. As a matter of fact, it is the elder brother of the maruti 800.

At one point of time, maruti was selling 3 versions of the maruti 800 here; the 800, alto and the Zen. Alto has a very basic dashboard, with provision for the Stereo system in a very common position. No clever tricks to maximise the interior space with cubby holes and so on. The Gear lever sticks out from the lowly floor, with a truck like rubber boot at the bottom.

A rubber gear knob sits at its top making for some a spartan grey and black combination. The controls for the Air conditioning are the new design rotary type, with the sliding type controls found on the non-AC model. Seats are fabric and the quality is quite good and so are the colors and the graphics used.

The doors don't have map pockets at the side; neither is there a decent enough number of cup holders. Maruti really could provide the costumer with more than just the bare basics at hardly any significant cost. The meter console has a big white speedometer at the helm flanked by the fuel gauge and the temperature indicator on either side.

Maruti Alto is one of the best selling car in India. It has included different new features in it like clear lens headlamps, sparkling tail lamps, dynamic front grill and bumper, stylish fabric, rotary control for AC etc.

Other features that are really important for the comfort and safety of the passenger are electronic power steering, excellent services back up, convenient cup holders, high rigid monocoque frame made of high tensile steel, front and rear seat belts, booster assisted brakes etc.