Suzuki: Personality and attitude to boot

The Suzuki Alto is happy to head out of its city comfort zone. Photo / Supplied

Like it or not, a hot pink Suzuki Alto turns heads. This assertive colour gives the tiny car a larger-than-life presence that suits its rather cheeky character.

Cheeky in more ways than one, for it is happy to take on territory for which it's clearly not been designed - as I found out during 600km of driving.

Our busy weekend included collecting two adults and luggage from the airport, and some heavy-duty shopping - all conducted from Auckland's west coast, which meant tackling steep hills and tightly twisting roads, in a one-litre car with a four-speed auto.

A big ask you'd think, but despite initial misgivings Alto won us over.

For a start this cabin may be compact, but it's pleasant. Given Alto is larger than an original Mini, it fits four. My 1.8m passenger was a tad short of rear legroom, while my front-seat passenger made the most of the various storage cubbies, liked the pink seat and dash accents (more retiring buyers can opt for grey), and only queried the lack of a passenger side vanity mirror.

And yes, their large sports bag did fit in the boot - though we had to lift the tonneau to lower it in.

Around town this engine's perky performance sent Alto scampering from lights or into gaps while the tight turning circle meant parking buildings held no fears. My only concern was limited rear-three-quarter view from that fat C-pillar, which took some getting used to.

Launched on to the motorway, you put your foot flat and kick down a gear to hear the three-cylinder's throaty tone at its best. The fuel-injected motor's modest 50kW/90Nm power tally is enough round town and on flatter open roads, given the car's light, 880kg kerb weight (the manual's 855kg). It also sufficed with just this writer aboard, but the steeper hills with three passengers worked it hard, and at times the long second gear meant it couldn't find the best cog for the job. Mind you, the Karekare hill is extreme.

The Piha road is a good advertisement for stability control. The Alto doesn't have it, but for $16,990 in manual or $18,500 for the auto it does include six airbags, ABS brakes, air conditioning and electric front windows. Overall? I'm impressed. Yes, Alto's a frugal city car, but its personality appeals, as does its ability to head out of its comfort zone and on to the open road.

Suzuki Alto auto

We like
Cheeky personality, characterful note from willing little engine, reasonably open-road-capable

We don't like
A tad noisy at open road speeds, fat C-pillar obscures rear three-quarter view

Powertrain
996cc three-cylinder four-stroke, 50kW at 6000rpm, 90Nm at 4800rpm, four-speed auto drives front wheels

Performance
0-100km/h, yes; 5.5l/100km (claimed)

Safety
Six airbags, ABS

What it's got
Air con, aux port/CD radio, intermittent wipers, seats four

Vital stats
3500mm long, 129/367-litre boot, 35-litre tank