Maruti Suzuki AltoK10 vs Chevrolet Spark: Comparison

Two very big auto manufacturers, and two very small cars. But don’t let the superlative used to describe the latter distract you from truly understanding the absolute marvels that are the Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 and GM’s now successful small car, the Chevrolet Spark.

Two equally cute hatches even with their diminutive proportions, the new Alto K10 and the Chevrolet Spark sport their own style that ought to grow on their owners, irrespective of which one they finally pick. The Alto carries the familiar shape of India’s best-selling car, but with smart new accents and a slightly longer hood. The Spark on the other hand has classic hatchback proportions and a quirky air about it, which many may find lovable.

So, what then is the distinguishing factor, when style and good looks are complementary with either package? The primary difference does not quite come to the surface when looking at the performance attributes of the two cars. Chevrolet’s Spark, that is powered by a 1000cc four cylinder petrol engine produces 63 PS of power and 90.3 Nm of torque. However, with MSIL 996cc inline-three cylinder K10 petrol engine now under the new Alto’s hood, the already peppy hatch now ups its power and torque figures by nearly 50 per cent over the Alto F8D, giving out 68PS at 6200rpm and easily whipping up 90Nm of torque at 3500rpm.

Another important area, where the two put up a tough fight is the overall fuel efficiency that continues to hover around the 14.8 kmpl mark on the new Alto K10. But the overall fuel efficiency on the Chevrolet Spark is estimated to swing between 15.1 kmpl to 20.7 kmpl depending on the road scenario you choose to take this flame of a hatch over.

When it comes to the drive itself, the Alto has a soft and pliant ride which may work well for families and around the city, but somehow does not live up to the promise that its peppy engine creates. The Spark on the other hand wins this battle, with a good balance between ride quality and handling, apart from a nice and firm steering feel, which makes the car fun to drive while still remaining comfortable.

While, the Chevrolet Spark is competitively priced between Rs 3.23-3.81 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi prices), the prices of the eagle eyed Alto K10 that are in the range of Rs 3.09 – Rs.3.22 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), make it one of the most suitable entry level small car purchases on offer in the country today.

Verdict:

While the two cars are seriously well-matched in terms of the products themselves, there are a few things that do not work in favour of the Spark. The first is Chevrolet’s brand image, which does not quite match up to the faith that the Indian masses have in the Maruti badge. The Spark has also been around for a while and has begun to look dated, while the Alto remains a fresh sight after its facelift with the K10 version. Thanks to its lower price and an unshakeable brand name, the Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 wins this one for us.

Check out our complete First Drive Report on the Maruti Suzuki Alto K10>>