2022 Maruti Suzuki Alto K10: Old vs New

The Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 was discontinued in India with the onset of the BS6 emission norms. However, the car is now back in an all-new avatar with a completely revamped design, a new engine & platform. So, let's take a look at just how different the new model is compared to the old one.

You may think that the new Alto K10 is bigger and better than its predecessor in every possible aspect. But is it really the case? Keep reading to find out...

The Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 was discontinued in India because of the implementation of the BS6 emission norms. However, the car is now back in an all-new avatar, with a completely revamped design, a new engine, and a new platform. So, let's take a look at just how different the new model is compared to the old one.

Styling

The 2022 Alto K10 features completely new styling when compared to the old version. While the huge honeycomb grille-dominated front looks quite funky, the Alto K10 looks very similar to the Celerio from the back, which was updated last year. Inside, the new Alto K10 again borrows some of its switchgear from the Celerio but dons an all-black colour theme. The old K10, on the other hand, featured a two-tone interior.

Dimensions & Capacity

The 2022 Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 (now in its third generation) is based on the brand's latest Heartect platform, which pretty much underpins all the new Maruti models. As a result, the car has become slightly bigger than the old K10. For example, the new Alto K10 has a 20mm longer wheelbase and is 45mm taller too. Interestingly, the overall length of the new K10 has gone down by 15mm, but the overall width, at 1,490mm, remains unchanged.

The new car also offers a larger boot (214 litres) compared to the old version's 177-litre boot; however, it now comes with a smaller 27-litre fuel tank, compared to the old car's 35-litre unit. The new model will also be a little easier to manage in the city, thanks to a reduced 4.5m turning circle (against 4.6m of the old car). To increase ride comfort, the new Alto K10 comes with 145/80-section tyres, which are slightly narrower but fatter than the old K10's tyres (155/65-section). At 13-inch, the wheel size remains the same.

Engine & Powertrain

The new Alto K10 is powered by a BS6-compliant 998cc K10C DualJet petrol motor (three-cylinder). For reference, it's the same engine that powers the new Celerio and S-Presso. As a result, in the Alto K10, the engine develops an unchanged 66bhp and 89Nm of torque. For reference, the old BS4 Alto K10 developed 67bhp and 90Nm of torque. Like before, the new Alto K10 also offers a choice between a five-speed manual and a five-speed AMT gearbox.

Thanks to the addition of dual-jet technology and an idle start/stop system, the new Alto K10 claims to have marginally better fuel efficiency figures than its predecessor. For the 2022 model, the figures are pegged at 24.39km/l (MT) and 24.9km/l (AMT), compared to 24.07km/l of the previous BS4 model.

Since the current Alto 800 will continue to be sold alongside the new Alto K10, the latter will only be offered with the 1.0-litre petrol motor. However, a CNG variant of the new K10 is expected to arrive in the coming months.

Features

Taking centre stage inside the new Alto K10's cabin is a new 7-inch Smart Play Studio infotainment system, which offers Android Auto/Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth connectivity. Other significant additions come in the form of steering-mounted audio and voice controls, a new digital speedometer, and a four-speaker audio system.