The Maruti Alto 796cc remains one of the most beloved entry-level hatchbacks in India, known for its affordability, mileage, and low maintenance cost. Despite the auto industry shifting towards bigger cars and SUVs, the Alto continues to attract budget-conscious families, students, and first-time car buyers. With a proven 796cc petrol engine and optional CNG variant, it’s still one of the best choices under ₹5 lakh.
Compact Yet Practical Design With City-Friendly Dimensions
The Alto 796cc features a neat and compact design with simple body lines, making it perfect for urban traffic and tight parking spots. Its upright seating, wide-opening doors, and small turning radius make it extremely practical. Though basic, the design still feels familiar and functional, with halogen headlamps, body-colored bumpers, and steel wheels.
Efficient 796cc Engine With Petrol and CNG Options
Powering the car is a 0.8-litre (796cc), 3-cylinder petrol engine, producing 47 bhp and 69 Nm of torque. It’s paired with a 5-speed manual transmission and is known for its linear power delivery and smooth city driving. The CNG variant offers slightly less power but delivers over 31 km/kg mileage, making it one of the cheapest cars to run in India. The petrol version gives up to 22 km/l in real-world usage.
Basic Yet Sufficient Cabin for Daily Use
Inside the Alto, you’ll find manual AC, power steering, front power windows, dual-tone dashboard, and a basic infotainment system in higher trims. While it misses out on modern digital screens, it still offers ample headroom and boot space for a car in this segment. It’s ideal for two adults and two kids, making it perfect for city commutes and short trips.
Safety Compliant With Government Norms
Maruti has updated the Alto 796cc to meet crash and emission norms, offering driver-side airbag, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, and seatbelt reminders as standard. Although not feature-loaded, it offers the basic safety required for daily urban use and short highway runs.
Affordable Pricing and Low Ownership Costs
The Maruti Alto 796cc is priced between ₹3.54 lakh to ₹4.87 lakh (ex-showroom), depending on the variant and fuel type. Its service cost is among the lowest in India, and spares are easily available even in tier-3 cities. No wonder it still finds over 15,000+ buyers monthly, proving its strong demand.
Conclusion: The Maruti Alto 796cc continues to be India’s most dependable and affordable car. With its trusted engine, excellent mileage, low running cost, and Maruti’s service network, it remains the best first car for millions of Indians. It’s not flashy, but it gets the job done better than any other in its class.
Disclaimer: Specifications and pricing mentioned are approximate and may vary by location or variant. Always check with your nearest Maruti Suzuki dealer for the most updated offers.
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