KATHMANDU: The Alto, produced by Maruti Suzuki in India, is a familiar name among Nepali car buyers. Evolving from the Maruti 800 to the Alto 800 and later to the Alto K10, the model is now struggling to maintain its decades-long legacy in Nepal.
Often regarded as the “mountain goat” for its reliable performance on Nepal’s hilly roads, the Alto earned a strong reputation for affordability, fuel efficiency and durability.
However, rising prices and growing competition from electric vehicles are making it difficult for the model to preserve that legacy.
At the current price of the Alto K10, distributed by CG Motocorp, buyers can now opt for a Chinese-made electric hatchback instead. As a result, the 40-year legacy of the Alto brand appears to be fading from the Nepali market.
The Alto K10 is currently available in five variants, but its price has risen sharply in recent months. Meanwhile, prices of Chinese electric vehicles are dropping and higher taxes on ICE cars have pushed their prices up in Nepal.
Today, the Alto K10’s price nearly matches that of sub-four-meter SUVs. For instance, the Nissan Magnite SUV starts at Rs 3.575 million, while the top variant of the Alto K10 costs Rs 3.449 million.
Compact in size, traditional in design and limited in features, the Alto K10 no longer appeals to many consumers. Its sales in India have also been declining steadily.
In such a competitive market with multiple choices and affordable EVs, it seems increasingly difficult for the Alto to uphold its long-standing reputation in Nepal.
Variant wise price
The Alto K10 is available in five variants in Nepal. The base LXI variant is priced at Rs 2.849 million, followed by the VXI at Rs 2.99 million, VXI Plus at Rs 3.099 million, VXI AGS at Rs 3.349 million and the top VXI Plus variant at Rs 3.449 million. An automatic variant is also available, priced at Rs 3.499 million.
Engine and gearbox
The Alto K10 is powered by a 1.0-liter K-Series Dual Jet, Dual VVT three-cylinder engine producing 66.62 PS of power and 121 Nm of torque. It comes with a 5-speed manual or automatic gearbox.
According to ARAI certification, it delivers a mileage of 24 km per liter, while in real-world driving conditions, users can expect around 18 km per liter.
