Maruti Suzuki Alto VS Suzuki Alto: Another Indo-Pak Duel

India and Pakistan have been in a brawl since god knows when. I would like to make a compelling battle on the turf of the automobile. So, in my research, I came across the Suzuki Alto that is sold in Pakistan and thought of comparing it with the Maruti Suzuki Alto sold in India. This is going to be an interesting battle, so stay tuned till the end.

Take a look: Maruti 800 vs Suzuki Mehran: An Indo-Pak Duel

A Brief History of Alto 

In India, Alto was launched back in 2000. It has been in the top-selling position for more than anyone can remember. It was only beaten by its own sibling, the Swift. But Pakistan was ahead in terms of getting the Alto. In 1984, Pakistan was introduced to FX (The name then for Alto). Want to know more about the Maruti Suzuki Alto’s history? Click here.

Which of the two is more powerful?

The Indian Alto is for sure powerful and has more punch to it. The slightly bigger engine produces some extra figures. But when it comes to transmission options, Suzuki Alto in Pakistan gets an automatic transmission in the form of AGS. Moreover, the smaller engine paired to the AGS offers better fuel efficiency too. And when it comes to the economy hatchbacks, we do prefer fuel efficiency over power figures. But then, power figures cannot be completely ignored. What do you think? Do let us know in the comments section below.

 How do the Indo-Pak Altos fair in looks comparison?

Starting from the front, what I feel is that the Pakistani Alto gets an incomplete grille with the placement of number plate a bit OCD-provoking. On the other hand, Indian Alto looks simple in its second generation and is surely much complete in terms of design.

When you get to the side profile, Alto being driven in Pakistan gives you design hints from the Ignis and some of the WagonR’s too. It also looks a bit cramped in the front section. The Indian Alto, well, has a design element of its own. Or maybe not.

And at the rear, the whole upper body of Pakistan’s Alto has no lights at all, except the high mounted stoplight. But a feature to notice here is the spoiler, which according to the brochure enhances the airflow over the vehicle.

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What’s inside the Maruti Suzuki Alto vs Suzuki Alto?

It’s not only the exterior that differs a lot. When you get inside, you see a lot of difference. For instance, if you take a look at the dashboard, you’ll see the gear lever unlike the floor-mounted in the Indian Alto. This makes an extra room in the front cabin. Dashboard in whole is in a very different layout, be it the air vents, knobs and more. The Alto sold in Pakistan surely has a well-laid dashboard. The Indian one looks a bit more lively! Both cars get a touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone connectivity. Let’s dive down more into the features comparison.

Comfort and Convenience Features Comparison
	Indian Alto	Pakistani Alto
Power Steering
Rear Parcel Tray
Internally adjustable ORVMs
Remote Keyless Entry
Central Door Locking
Front Power Windows
No. of Speakers	2	2
Safety Features Comparison
	Indian Alto	Pakistani Alto
ABS
EBD
Dual Front Airbags
Reverse Parking Sensors
Rear Door Child Lock
Speed Alert Alarm

India has surely made a strong advancement in the case of safety as all the cars coming now have to adhere to certain safety standards. Alto sold in Pakistan surely lacks some crucial features such as rear door child lock.

Overall, in terms of comfort and convenience features, both the cars offer the optimum amount of features as far as the segment is concerned.

Verdict | Maruti Suzuki Alto: India or Pakistan

Well, actually I am quite impressed with the Alto sold in Pakistan. But, I personally would choose a car that would look a bit not too boxy and has a good performance and features package. Indian Alto ticks the right boxes on my selection form. What about you? What do you think? Do let us know in the comments section below.