Review of the new Suzuki Alto SZ-L

If it's value for money you're after as a new car buyer, Suzuki is one of those manufacturers that will get an automatic place on your shortlist. The design of its vehicles might not be particularly flamboyant and they aren't always the last word in cutting edge technology but sturdy build, solid engineering and small costs are usually on the cards with this Japanese brand. Nowhere is Suzuki's pricing tighter than with the Alto citycar at the lower end of its range but the product planners still found room for manoeuvre in creating the Alto SZ-L special edition.

The Alto is one of the cheapest cars currently on sale but at the lower end of the range, those eye-catching prices are reflected in a less than opulent specification. The thinking behind the SZ-L special edition variant is that for prices not a million miles away from the base specification Alto, buyers can get one with a bit more pizzazz.

The Alto's 1.0-litre petrol engine looks ideal for a compact urban vehicle. The 3-cylinder unit musters 67bhp and 90Nm maximum torque at 4,800rpm. That doesn't sound thrilling but in a car that tips the scales at 855kg, it's enough to cover the 0-60mph sprint in 14 seconds. Stick at it and a top speed of 96mph is also attainable.

The Alto's gearing is quite long to help it achieve the best fuel economy but it means that you have to work the engine hard if you want to make quick progress, especially with passengers on board. Do this and there's quite a bit of accompanying noise but the off-beat 3-cylinder thrum isn't unpleasant. You could even say that it sounds quite sporty.

".a cheeky little car that looks good value in SZ-L form"

The Alto isn't a particularly slick operator on the road, the gear box has a nice short throw but there's a notchy quality to the shifts and it sometimes seems reluctant to slot into reverse. The Alto is only 3,500mm long with a 2,360mm wheelbase and that helps it achieve a super-tight turning radius of 4.5m. It's ideal for manoeuvring into tight parking spaces or executing the odd cheeky U-turn.

The suspension doesn't respond well to poor surfaces but is comfortable enough on good roads and the Alto turns neatly without too much body roll. We've come to expect quite a lot from our city cars where driving dynamics are concerned and the Alto doesn't quite match up to the class leaders but customers in a market for a nippy urban runabout shouldn't be put off.

It's no longer enough for city cars to be space-efficient wheeled boxes. Customers have come to expect a certain cheeky style and the likes of the Fiat 500, smart fortwo and Toyota iQ have delivered it. The Alto isn't in this league in terms of its cute factor or its price but it's a far from unappealing proposition with its big teardrop headlights and rising side window line.

The SZ-L models have black fog lamp surrounds, side mouldings and B-pillar trims which stand out against the Superior White or Bright Red metallic paintwork. In the cabin, there's silver trim for the gear knob, vents and door openers while other aspects of the trim are finished in body colour. These are bold combinations that do much to liven up the dull elephant grey of the standard Alto interior.

The C-pillars are rather large on the Alto and this doesn't help rear visibility but the five-door body style offers decent practicality. With a couple of six-footers in the front, there's adequate space for a couple more to squeeze into the back seats. Headroom is good and there's a boot behind of a reasonable but not spectacular 129-litres that can increase to 367-litres with the seats folded down.

Suzuki is only going to make 500 Alto SZ-L models which promise to sell swiftly by Alto standards. All come with the basic equipment levels of the mid-range SZ3 variants which means air-conditioning, a CD stereo, remote central locking and a 50:50 split rear seat are included. Front and side airbags also make an appearance and all at a price that only tiptoes over the £8,000 barrier.

The Alto's simple, lightweight design allows it to get the most of its 1.0-litre engine and in terms of fuel economy, very few petrol powered cars can touch it. The Alto can average 64.2mpg on the combined cycle and 51mpg around town where most owners will use it. Accompanied by emissions of just 103g/km and the lowest possible insurance grouping, it makes the Alto one of the most cost-effective purchases in the sector.

Not even Suzuki would claim that its Alto is one of the most sophisticated small cars on the market but it is fun, durable and it stacks up extremely well from a cost perspective. In special edition SZ-L guise, the value for money angle is enhance further with styling enhancements added for minimal extra cost.

The Alto might feel off the pace in some respects but it's a cheeky little car that looks good value in SZ-L form. Outstanding fuel economy and low emissions also count in its favour, as does a practical five-door bodystyle yielding the genuine ability to carry four adults.

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