On The Eye [3.5/5]
Most of these small, city runabouts tend to look a bit odd from certain angles. Either they’re too narrow, too tall, too box-ish, too gawky – practically pick a model and apply appropriate descriptor… But the Alto tends to hit something of a sweet-spot. From the front there are definite hints of bastardised Kia Picanto in the elongated headlights, and slight Citroen C1/Peugeot 107 in the “jutting out chin” (mainly when viewed from the side) front bumper. However, the design works and along with a big, somewhat ovoid front grille, the little Alto takes on a charm all of its own. Side on, the bold wheel arches (housing very attractive 14” 4-spoke alloys) and sills and sloping roofline give the car a purposeful profile. However, it’s the rear that takes the most getting used to… the big and high bumper and unnecessarily large recess for the number plate make it look more than a little odd. But, when viewed from the rear, it becomes really apparent how ‘wide’ and flat the car is in comparison to some other competitors.
Inside, there isn’t really much to complain about. The seats are covered in a durable and attractively patterned material, the dash has a design as funky as the rest of the car with all switchgear in a sensible place and in easy reach (though the radio was clearly designed for LHD and the hazard button was very easy to accidently activate) and also made from mostly durable plastics (though some scratched very easily). However, there is a distinct lack of safe storage space as there is no traditional cubbyhole and all other storage spaces around the cabin are un-lidded too. Plus, the boot is about big enough for your last minute study notes, a pen, and maybe a tip-ex… in other words, tiny,
On The Spec-sheet [3/5]
The GLS-spec Alto is the most comprehensively specced of the range. For your money, you get an MP3/WMA single-CD, 6-speaker audio system (and wow, it has to be the most impressive in a car of this price…), air-conditioning (which due to the absurdly cold weather went untested, although there’s no denying the heater’s abilities), a separate 8000rpm rev-counter above and to the right of the main instrument binnacle, front fog-lights, remote central locking and electric windows in the front albeit with no passenger-control on the drivers side…
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