SUZUKI Alto Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Suzuki introduced the seventh generation of the Alto at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, and it was the smallest member of the family but big enough to carry four adults inside.

With so many small vehicles on the market, Suzuki might look like it will kill its own products. Apart from the Alto, the Japanese carmaker also offered the Swift and the Celerio, which were just slightly bigger than the 2009 Alto.

The carmaker tried to make the car looks friendly with those two headlights that sported swept-back extensions. Its grille took most of the bumper, interrupted only by the horizontal bar needed for the license plate. A pair of small fog lights were fitted as an option. On its sides, the Alto showed an ascending line with a kick in over the rear doors to the C-pillars, while the back featured an almost vertical drop for the tailgate.

Inside, Suzuki installed a rather complicated dashboard, with a design that included a deep pocket on the passenger side and an oversized center stack that enclosed the audio and ventilation controls, plus a pair of vents on top of them. For the driver's area, Suzuki placed a small instrument cluster that showed only the speedometer and an LCD at the bottom, displaying the fuel level and the trip-computer. An additional tachometer was available as an option. Thanks to its tall seats and vertical side panels, the Alto offered room for up to five medium-sized adults despite the small size. In the back, a 50/50 split-folding backseat could expand the trunk area.

Suzuki installed a 1.0-liter engine under the hood, paired with a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. For specific markets, the carmaker offered the Alto with an all-wheel-drive system.

The small-sized Alto reached its fifth generation in 1998 when Suzuki introduced it on the market and then exported it in several countries.

Suzuki had a factory in India where it started to build the vehicle. Soon, the Japanese management decided to export the Indian-produced ones on the European market but badged as Suzuki, not as Maruti-Suzuki. With that said, the Indian carmaker started exporting it to European countries.

The car also received a facelift, and there were a few differences compared to the 1998 model. At the front, the Alto featured a wrapped-around plastic bumper with integrated upper and lower grilles. Its new headlights got a corner-mounted turn signal with clear lenses. Those were complimented on the sides by an additional set of orange lights. Regardless of the trim level, the Alto sported black, unpainted door handles and mirrors. Its five-door version featured an extra set of doors in the back for easier ingress and egress to the car.

Inside, it was no surprise to find a cramped cabin and cheap materials. The hard plastic dashboard featured a more comprehensive instrument cluster, which covered the center stack as well. It carried over the ventilation system controls and the stereo from its bigger brother, the Swift. Due to its short wheelbase, it wasn't easy to put more than four people inside an Alto, but the carmaker installed two seats at the front and a bench in the back.

Under the hood, Suzuki installed a Euro 3 compliant 1.1-liter engine, and it paired it with a five-speed manual gearbox only.