Maruti Suzuki Alto Tour

The Urban Commuter

Maruti Suzuki Tour H1 is the most affordable fleet vehicle in the Indian market. Based on the Alto K10, it gets a punchy and frugal 1-litre engine, along with decent space in the interiors and boot. Yet, the Wagon R based Tour H3 is way more successful than the Alto K10 based Tour H1. Both cars are based on the same platform and get the same powertrain, and while the space on offer in the Tour H3 is more, it is also a much costlier option. Should you consider getting a Tour H1 instead of the popular Tour H3? 

Maruti Suzuki Tour H1 (Alto Tour) Pros and Cons 

Maruti Suzuki Tour H1 (Alto Tour) Exterior Design

The Alto has always been the opposite of form over function, with Maruti keeping things simple when it comes to its exterior design. The Tour H1 is no different. The front grille is reminiscent of the Swift, while the front and rear tail lights are Celerio-esque. The shoulder lines add character to the side profile, as does the front bumper with its flared edges. Unlike the Alto K10, the Tour H1 doesn’t get body coloured bumpers, and instead has to settle for black bumpers. 

Maruti Suzuki Tour H1 (Alto Tour) Interiors 

While the exterior appearance is almost identical to the Alto K10, the Tour H1 borrows its interior from the Alto 800. The Tour H1 has a functional yet modern interior. It gets a two-tone black and beige dashboard which has a curvy design. But the overall quality isn’t great, as you’d expect from a car in this segment. The interior also lacks decent storage spaces thanks to the compact dimensions, but it does get cup holders and a decent-sized glove box. Boot space is decent for a hatchback its size, however, it is completely occupied by the cylinder in CNG variants.

Maruti Suzuki Tour H1 (Alto Tour) Comfort 

The Tour H1 is a comfortable place to be in, thanks to soft seats and suspension. The view out of the cabin for the front passengers is great, and even taller individuals won’t have trouble finding an agreeable driving position. The rear seat is also roomier than you’d expect, and while it is not as generous as a Tour H3/Wagon R, it is sufficient. Three abreast at the back though, will be a squeeze. The air conditioner also does a good job of keeping the cabin cool, but can struggle on hot afternoons. 

The Tour H1 is best used as a city commuter rather than a mile munching highway tourer. It delivers a plush ride at low-speeds, which is how it will spend most of its time. The soft suspension soaks up bumps well, and while there are a few thumps, it does a good job at softening the blow. Since it has small wheels, it isn’t the most comfortable hatchback on broken roads, but the high ground clearance helps it clear most obstacles in its way. 

Maruti Suzuki Tour H1 (Alto Tour) Performance and Handling

The Tour H1 is powered by Suzuki’s 1.0-litre 3-cylinder K10C engine, which can be had with petrol or petrol + CNG fuel options. The engine feels especially peppy in a car this small, and while it can comfortably do early triple digit speeds on the highway in the Alto K10, the Tour H1 has a top speed limiter at 80 km/h. When driven on CNG mode, the performance does drop noticeably, but the Tour H1 still doesn’t feel underpowered. The engine is also very economical, and is very tractable to use in the city. The soft suspension does translate to a bit of body roll, and on higher speeds the Tour H1 can end up feeling floaty. As the internet has shown, the ‘Lord Alto’ can also put some SUVs to shame on the mountains thanks to its lightweight construction and peppy powertrain. 

Maruti Suzuki Tour H1 (Alto Tour) Key specifications 

Maruti Suzuki Tour H1 (Alto Tour) Safety Features

The Alto K10 that the Tour H1 is based on received a 2-star crash test rating for adult occupant protection and 0-star rating for child occupant protection from Global NCAP. Given the lightweight construction, the Tour H1 doesn’t inspire confidence in safety, and feels like a fragile car. It gets two airbags as standard, along with ABS and EBD. It also gets an engine immobiliser, speed sensing door locks, keyless central locking, and seat belt reminders for all passengers. The front seat belts get pre-tensioners and force limiters too.

Maruti Suzuki Tour H1 (Alto Tour) Technology and Infotainment

With the Tour H1, Maruti Suzuki has completely skipped on adding an audio system in the car. The instrument cluster is analog too, and should you wish for some music in your car, you will have to opt for aftermarket systems. 

Is the Maruti Suzuki Tour H1 (Alto Tour) for You?

The Tour H1 is about ₹70,000 cheaper than the Wagon R based Tour H3. The engine, platform, features, and comfort are the same in both offerings, and the only compromise the Tour H1 makes is on the interior. The Tour H3 is a step up in rear seat space and comfort given its tallboy design, and it can also accommodate three passengers more comfortably than the Tour H1. The dashboard design is also more modern and eye pleasing in the H3. However, considering the price gap between the two models, the Tour H1 comes across as a great entry level fleet offering for the relatively limited compromises.