Return of the People’s Car Suzuki Alto

If you read the dailies, well, daily, then you can’t have missed those full-spread ads last week. In fact, such a splurge in ad spending by a car manufacturer would usually warrant something big and worth crowing about, like the latest tech in variable valve technology or setting a new world record in cupholders, but nooo… the Suzuki Alto is not that kind of car. Let’s face it: this is not the average Juan’s dream car. It was not penned by Pininfarvergnugen or whoever that guy is, it will not rip to 100 in less than 10 seconds unless you’re counting in meters, and it will not merit a reserved parking slot in front of a trendy bar unless you’re delivering the week’s supply of tequila or something.

Here is what it will do, and boy will every person who’s always aspired to owning his or her first car finally smile and think, yeah, "I really can afford one.": It will transport up to five Asians in acceptable comfort, it will not guzzle precious fuel like your snooty neighbor’s Expedition, and it will not make you feel sorry for yourself and the woe that is your life.

The Alto, you see, is the most affordable passenger car yet, and it does so without looking too much like the box that it came in, and with proven Japanese technology to assure you of many trouble-free miles. How much? The Standard model has an introductory price of just P359,000, and the De Luxe is a very palatable P398,000. At those prices, Suzuki is clearly aiming at first-timers who’re on a tight budget but don’t want to buy 2nd hand, fleet accounts who just need a reliable runabout for their field people, and possibly families who need a 2nd or 3rd car for grocery runs and for the kids to learn how to drive.

Despite the lowball pricing, the Alto still has a decent spec sheet. Predictably, the engine is a tiny 800cc three-cylinder, but it has 4 valves per cylinder and electronic fuel injection. Peak output is a rather meager 47 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 6.2 kg-m at 3,000 rpm, so expect to do a lot of rowing with the standard 5-speed manual transmission (no automatic is available). It gets better, especially with the De Luxe: the power steering unit is the lightweight and energy-efficient electronic-type, you get power front windows, and power door locks (the Standard is the good ol’ pawis-type).

The rear seatback split-folds 50-50, there’s a cargo cover for the De Luxe, and both models still have a CD player. Predictably, the interior is rather Spartan with the plasticky dashboard, but you know what? Spartans are cool these days thanks to the 300, and not even those manly men had cupholders in their day (you get two on the center). What’s more, it even comes with a headlamp leveling device just like those high-rolling Euro brands, so if the back gets loaded with your friends, you can aim the beams lower to compensate. Still not convinced? It comes bundled with a 3-Year/100,000-km warranty, so if anything major breaks that isn’t your fault, you can trust Suzuki to fix it for you free. With a package like that and at prices that can’t be beat – yet – expect this little runabout to sell like Happy Meals. Hey, 10 million Alto buyers can’t be wrong.