Suzuki Car Review

What is it?

In many ways, the Suzuki Alto is the archetypal cheap and cheerful city car. No frills, but a simple, honest 1.0-litre runabout with some spectacularly low pricing and running costs to help put it on the map.

So low, in fact, that Suzuki bills it as still the best value city car in the UK,  a tag that could well spur some interest among company car managers in these straightened times.

With this latest gen Alto, the killer app arguably resides under the bonnet. Powered by a small frugal, three cylinder engine, C0₂ emissions are just 99 g/km (with manual transmission), which in turn means the little Suzuki qualifies for a £0 VED charge, is London Congestion Charge Exempt, and attracts a measly 11% company car tax. So if you’re a 20% tax payer that’s all of £17.50 a month.

Keen economy (65.7 mpg combined) and low group 4E insurance further reduce the running costs.

The price of entry, starting at £7199 OTR for the base 1.0 SZ, will further widen some eyes. Even more so when Suzuki confirmed it was extending its recent VAT free campaign until the end of March 2013.

The base 1.0 SZ thus reduces to an even more compelling £5999, while this top spec SZ4 moves from £9599 OTR to a more strategic £7999 price point.

The Alto meantime is no stripped out misery of a car. This SZ4 comes with a decent spec for its class which includes 14-inch alloys, air conditioning, front fog lamps and more.

What’s hot?

• 99 g/km for CO₂ and sub £8000 OTR price point for this SZ4 model
• Group 4E insurance classification
• BIK of £1050 for 2013-14 – so a 20% tax payer will pay just £17.50 a month in company car tax
• Great fuel economy – 65.7mpg
• Though bargain basement, the Alto is a surprisingly decent little car to drive, with good performance and tidy handling to its credit
• Eager 1.0-litre engine, revs easily to 6250 rpm
• Slick 5-speed manual gearbox
• Well judged clutch action, also making it easy to drive
• Accurate, evenly geared steering
• Compact size, yet five practical doors
• Spec includes ESP Stability Programme, curtain shield airbags, 14-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights and body coloured door handles and mirrors

What’s not?

• Ride is firm and noticeably jiggly over uneven surfaces
• Three cylinder engine ‘thrum’ gets a mite tiring at speed
• Simple, plain interior is a long way from the ‘premium’ that some might expect
• Limited space in the rear. Modest boot space
• Slightly tinny feel to the way the doors shut

Business Car Manager verdict

At first glance, the Suzuki Alto might not seem a prime candidate for company car use – but look at the numbers. Then factor in the car’s easy, fun driveability, compact size and honest character, and things are looking up!

True, this Alto has been on the market for a couple of years now, but it still performs well and Suzuki’s low finance offers also keep it very much in the ballpark.

In a world of hot small premium cars, the Suzuki Alto may never be a fashion front runner. But it’s a city car that can still surprise, as often is the case with Suzuki, which has a giant reputation in Japan as a small car champion that even Toyota respects.

Suzuki Alto 1.0 VVT SZ4 – the low down

Costs are correct at time of posting.