The Maruti Alto K10 stands out as an affordable, fuel-efficient hatchback ideal for urban commuters and first-time buyers, including students seeking reliable transportation on a budget. With its compact design, peppy performance, and recent updates like standard six airbags, the 2025 model offers enhanced safety and value, making it a top choice in India’s entry-level car segment for those prioritizing low running costs, easy maneuverability, and essential features without compromising on style or comfort.
Overview of Maruti Alto K10
Aspect
Details
Introduction
The Maruti Alto K10 is a compact hatchback from Maruti Suzuki. It targets budget-conscious buyers. This includes students and young professionals. It excels in city driving. The model emphasizes affordability and efficiency. It has sold over 47 lakh units historically. The 2025 version includes price reductions due to GST changes. Prices start from ₹3.70 Lakh ex-showroom. It competes with Renault Kwid and Tata Tiago. The car measures 3530mm in length for easy parking. Width is 1490mm for narrow roads. Height stands at 1520mm for good headroom. Wheelbase is 2380mm for stability. Kerb weight ranges from 680kg to 760kg. Ground clearance is 160mm for light off-road use. Boot space offers 214 liters for daily needs. Fuel tank capacity is 27 liters for petrol. CNG tank is 60 liters water equivalent. The design features a youthful look. It includes honeycomb grille and peppy headlamps. Rear lamps are trendy for visibility. Available in 7 colors like Sizzling Red. Solid White is a popular choice. Premium Earth Gold adds elegance. Metallic shades enhance appeal. The car suits short commutes under 50km daily. It provides a fun driving experience. Updates in 2025 focus on safety enhancements.
Variants and Pricing
Variant
Price and Key Notes
STD (O) Petrol MT
₹3.70 Lakh ex-showroom. Base model with essential features. Manual transmission. Petrol engine. Ideal for minimalistic needs. Includes power steering. Air conditioner is optional. No infotainment system. Safety with six airbags. ABS with EBD standard. Rear parking sensors included. Suits budget buyers. Good for students learning to drive. Mileage of 24.39 kmpl ARAI.
LXI (O) Petrol MT
₹4.00 Lakh ex-showroom. Adds front power windows. Central locking for convenience. Body-colored bumpers. Manual AC included. Steering-mounted controls absent. Basic audio system with 2 speakers. Bluetooth connectivity not available. Safety remains six airbags. Better for daily use. Targets young commuters. Mileage same as base at 24.39 kmpl.
VXI (O) Petrol MT
₹4.50 Lakh ex-showroom. Includes 7-inch touchscreen. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. 4-speaker sound system. Steering audio controls. Keyless entry added. Roof antenna for better reception. Full wheel covers. Chrome accents in cabin. Enhanced comfort for longer drives. Popular among students. Mileage 24.39 kmpl ARAI.
LXI (O) S-CNG MT
₹4.82 Lakh ex-showroom. CNG variant for lower running costs. Manual transmission only. Power drops to 56 bhp. Torque at 82.1 Nm. Mileage up to 33.85 km/kg. Dual-fuel capability. Eco-friendly option. Suits high-mileage users. Safety features unchanged. Good for urban students. Factory-fitted CNG kit.
VXI (O) Petrol AMT
₹4.95 Lakh ex-showroom. Automatic transmission for ease. Petrol engine with 66 PS power. Ideal for traffic-heavy cities. No clutch pedal. Smooth shifts in AMT. Mileage slightly higher at 24.90 kmpl. Adds convenience for new drivers. Students appreciate hassle-free driving. All safety features included.
VXI Plus (O) Petrol MT
₹5.00 Lakh ex-showroom. Top manual petrol with extras. Includes rear parcel tray. Additional chrome inserts. Better interior finish. 7-inch infotainment standard. Enhanced audio quality. Comfort for four passengers. Targets feature-seeking buyers. Mileage 24.39 kmpl. Safety with ESP added.
VXI (O) S-CNG MT
₹5.32 Lakh ex-showroom. Higher CNG variant. Adds VXI features to CNG. Manual transmission. Mileage 33.85 km/kg. Power 56 bhp for efficiency. Torque sufficient for city. Good for cost-saving commutes. Students benefit from low fuel bills. Six airbags standard.
VXI Plus (O) Petrol AMT
₹5.45 Lakh ex-showroom. Top model with AMT. All features included. Petrol engine for peppy drive. Mileage 24.90 kmpl. Premium feel in segment. Ideal for young buyers wanting automation. Safety and comfort maximized. Prices reduced in September 2025. Note: Prices vary by city and offers. Ex-showroom in Delhi as reference.
Engine and Performance Specifications
Specification
Details
Engine Type
1.0L K-Series Dual Jet engine. Displacement 998cc. Three-cylinder setup. Dual VVT technology. Optimizes fuel efficiency. Power output 66 PS at 5500 rpm for petrol. 57 PS at 5300 rpm for CNG. Torque 89 Nm at 3500 rpm for petrol. 82.1 Nm at 3400 rpm for CNG. Idle start-stop in higher variants. Enhances mileage in traffic. Acceleration 0-100kmph in 12.15 seconds. Top speed around 140kmph. Feels peppy in city. Struggles on highways above 80kmph. Light clutch for easy shifts. Smooth gear changes. AMT offers creep function. Good for stop-go traffic. Engine note audible but not intrusive. Vibration minimal at idle. Suits student drivers.
Transmission Options
Five-speed manual standard. AMT available in select variants. Manual for engaging drive. AMT for convenience. No CVT or other autos. Shifts smooth in AMT. Manual preferred for control. CNG only with manual. Transmission suits urban use.
Fuel Efficiency
Petrol MT: 24.39 kmpl ARAI. Petrol AMT: 24.90 kmpl ARAI. CNG: 33.85 km/kg ARAI. Real-world city: 14-18 kmpl petrol. Highway: 20-22 kmpl petrol. CNG real-world: 25-30 km/kg. Low running costs. Ideal for budget-conscious students. Factors like traffic affect figures. Regular service maintains efficiency.
Driving Dynamics
Compact size aids parking. Turning radius 4.5 meters. Suspension absorbs potholes. High-profile 13-inch tires. 145/80 R13 size. Brakes effective with ABS. Handles corners with body roll. Stable at moderate speeds. Not for high-speed stability. Fun for city zips. Students find it easy to handle.
Exterior Design and Features
Feature
Details
Design Elements
Honeycomb grille for modern look. Peppy halogen headlamps. Bold front fascia. Trendy rear combination lamps. Clean lines on sides. Minimalist rear bumper. 13-inch steel wheels. Wheel covers with honeycomb theme. Body-colored ORVMs in higher variants. Roof spoiler absent. Compact silhouette for agility. Appeals to young buyers. Colors include Metallic Granite Grey. Speedy Blue for vibrancy. Bluish Black exclusive to top variants. Design refreshed in 2022, stable for 2025.
Lighting and Visibility
Halogen headlamps standard. No LED or projectors. Fog lamps missing. Rear defogger not available. High-mounted stop lamp. Wipers front only. Adjustable ORVMs manual. Visibility good due to size. Headlamps sufficient for city nights.
Build Quality
HEARTECT platform for strength. Panel gaps consistent. Paint quality acceptable. Rust resistance good. Lightweight body aids efficiency. Doors feel light. Overall durable for daily use.
Interior Comfort and Features
Feature
Details
Cabin Layout
Dual-tone black-grey dashboard. Hard plastics used. Simple and functional design. Digital instrument cluster. Speedometer with MID. No tachometer. Steering wheel basic. Adjustable for tilt absent. Seats fabric upholstered. Front seats manual adjust. Driver height adjust missing. Rear bench fixed. No split-fold. Headrests fixed. Ample legroom for four. Headroom good up to 5’10”. Shoulder room limited for three rear. Cabin cools fast with AC. No rear vents. Students appreciate space for books.
Seating and Space
Seats four comfortably. Five possible but tight. Cushioning adequate. Under-thigh support fair. Rear knee room decent. No armrests. Bottle holders in doors. Glovebox small. Center console storage. Parcel tray in top variants. Boot expandable by folding seats? No, fixed. Practical for campus use.
Comfort Amenities
Manual AC effective. Heater included. Power windows front only. Central locking. Keyless entry in VXI up. Auto door lock speed-sensitive. 12V socket front. USB charger type-A. No wireless charging. Rear passengers get bottle holder. No cup holders rear. Ideal for short trips.
Storage Options
Front door pockets. Glovebox. Center console tray. No rear pockets. Boot hooks absent. Sufficient for daily essentials. Students can store bags easily.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Feature
Details
System Overview
7-inch touchscreen in VXI up. SmartPlay Studio system. Supports Android Auto wired. Apple CarPlay wired. Navigation via smartphone. Voice commands limited. Interface user-friendly. Touch response fair. Glitches rare. Suits music streaming.
Audio Setup
4-speaker system in higher variants. 2-speakers in lower. Sound quality decent. Bass limited. Steering controls for audio. Bluetooth for calls. AUX and USB ports. FM/AM radio. No subwoofer. Good for casual listening. Students enjoy podcasts.
Connectivity Features
Smartphone integration key. No built-in apps. MirrorLink absent. OTA updates not mentioned. Hands-free calling clear. Volume adequate. Enhances drive for young users.
Safety Features and Ratings
Feature
Details
Standard Safety
Six airbags across all variants. Driver and passenger front. Curtain airbags. Side airbags front. Updated in March 2025. ABS with EBD. Electronic Stability Program (ESP). Hill-hold absent. Rear parking sensors. Seatbelt reminders front and rear. High-speed alert over 80kmph. Impact-sensing unlock. Speed-sensing lock. No ISOFIX. Dual-tone horn.
Advanced Safety
No ADAS features. No tyre pressure monitor. No 360 camera. Reverse camera missing. Front sensors absent. Relies on basics. Suits entry-level needs.
Crash Test Ratings
Global NCAP 2-star rating. Based on 2023 tests. Structure unstable. Chest protection fair. Updated with airbags in 2025. No new tests yet. Pedestrian protection poor. Students should drive cautiously. Focus on preventive features.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Affordable pricing starts low. Excellent fuel efficiency saves money. Compact size easy to park. Peppy engine for city fun. Standard six airbags enhance safety. Low maintenance from Maruti network. Spacious for four adults. AMT option for convenience. Eco-friendly CNG variants. Good resale value. Suits student budgets.
Limited rear space for three. Misses rear power windows. No tachometer in cluster. Bouncy ride at high speeds. Basic build feels light. No LED lights. Safety rating only 2 stars. Boot space average. No cruise control. Engine noisy when revved. Features lag behind rivals. Not ideal for highways.
User Reviews and Ownership Experience
Aspect
Details
Positive Feedback
Users praise mileage consistently. Easy to drive in traffic. Affordable service costs. Peppy performance noted. Comfort for small families. Reliability from Maruti. Good for beginners. Students like low fuel bills. Resale easy. Cabin space appreciated.
Common Complaints
Space tight for tall people. Ride quality bouncy. Features like defogger missing. Safety concerns from rating. Touchscreen lags sometimes. Rear practicality limited. Highway stability poor. Build feels cheap. Noise insulation average.
Ownership Costs
Service interval 10,000km. Costs around ₹3,000-5,000 per service. Warranty 2 years/40,000km. Extended available. Fuel costs low with CNG. Insurance starts ₹15,000 yearly. Overall low TCO. Ideal for students.
Comparisons with Competitors
Competitor
Key Differences
Renault Kwid
Priced from ₹4.30 Lakh. 1-star NCAP. Lower power 67bhp. Mileage 22kmpl. More features like digital cluster. Better ground clearance 184mm. Smaller boot 279L. Less airbags. Maruti network superior. Alto K10 wins on efficiency.
Maruti S-Presso
From ₹3.50 Lakh. Similar engine. Mileage 24-25kmpl. 2-star NCAP. Crossover styling. Higher ground clearance 180mm. Fewer variants. Alto K10 more spacious. Similar safety now. Good alternative within brand.
Tata Tiago
From ₹4.57 Lakh. 4-star NCAP. Larger 1199cc engine 85bhp. Mileage 19kmpl. More features like Harman audio. Better build. Alto K10 cheaper to run. Students may prefer Tiago for safety.
Hyundai Grand i10 Nios
From ₹5.47 Lakh. 2-star NCAP. 1197cc 82bhp. Premium interiors. More features like wireless charging. Mileage similar. Alto K10 more affordable. Better for budget focus.