Alto Tops in Five Year Low Cost Running Survey

The thrifty Suzuki Alto five-door Manual hatchback has been named the cheapest car to own in the first five years according to an independent survey.

Not only did the compact Alto save buyers on the original new car price but also reduced on-going costs of running the vehicle during the three to five years of ownership.

For the second successive year the Alto was named the least expensive car to own in the first five years following a survey by the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ).

The latest investigation sampled 110 cars and took into consideration fuel consumption, servicing, replacement tyres, loan interest and depreciation.

An Alto doing about 15,000 kilometres annually cost NZ$134 (A$113) a week in Australia while the dearest car in the survey was almost four times more expensive to run.

Most petrol/electric hybrid cars in the survey proved more costly to own and operate than petrol variants of the same car, and were also hampered by the initial extra outlay.

Three electric vehicles all had expensive price tags which ultimately ruled out any savings made in running costs.

The Alto was winner of the light car class and vastly less expensive to run than vehicles in the ten other categories.

Adam Le Fevre, general manager of Suzuki Queensland, said the Alto had proven to be an outstanding economiser, drawing support from a wide range of buyers.

“Fuel consumption is only one element within the cost of ownership equation,” he said. “Other cost-related issues such as the initial purchase price, vehicle retained value, the cost and frequency of mechanical servicing, the cost of genuine factory spare parts, insurance premiums, borrowed capital to facilitate purchasing and other factors are also critically important.”

“That’s why independent assessments of ownership costs as undertaken by organisations like the RACQ are so important. They give an accurate and very detailed insight into the real costs of vehicle ownership,” said Le Fevre.

The RACQ is a member of the Australian Automobile Association and when it was formed in 1905 there were only 16 registered privately owned cars in Queensland.

Big advances have been made in low-cost, small cars and the Alto is among the standard bearers.

Suzuki was renowned for building quality small cars that punched well above their weight, as evidenced by the current seventh generation Alto, said Gary Collins, general manager of motor vehicle marketing for Suzuki New Zealand.

High strength steels and the power of electronics help give the latest Alto a four star safety rating from the ANCAP crash safety agency. An electronic stability programme (ESP), anti-lock braking with EBD brake assist are standard equipment on the 3.5 metre long Suzuki supermini.

Alto has been a quality hit with consumers, with the J.D. Power Asia customer service index rating the model above average.

The Alto’s low emissions have also proved popular in Europe. Sales of the model in Britain were up 38 per cent in the first five months of this year, helping make Suzuki the second fastest growing mainstream car brand in the UK.

Despite its modest price, the 1-litre Alto GLX sold in New Zealand comes well equipped, with standard features including alloy wheels, fog lamps, air conditioning, front door electrically operated windows, six-speaker audio system, remote control centralised door locking and 50:50 split rear folding seats.

The on-road recommended retail price of the Alto is $17,250, and an automatic transmission option is also available.