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India's Best Cars Under Rs 10 Lakh
 

Best Mid-Level Hatch

20 Aug 2009
Best-mid-hatch-maruti-A-star

For those who don?t take too much pride in being with the absolute entry level cars, the mid-level hatchbacks offer a good option. Better looking, more contemporary in terms of gadgets and equipment and generally better made cars, they offer good value for money and definitely are cooler cars to live with.

Maruti Suzuki A-Star

 Related Story Link
   Mid-level Hatch: Rivals 

The A-Star faces some stiff competition from the Hyundai i10, which in fact is selling better numbers than the A-Star right now. The latest-gen Suzuki Alto however had to be our pick for its feisty manners combined with its easy-sipping fuel efficiency.

Conceptualised and styled by Maruti's designers in India, the Suzuki A-Star may be the next Alto for the rest of the world, but in India it is the spiritual successor to the Zen - small, light, peppy and extremely good looking! The A-Star was the first model to bear Suzuki's new K series petrol engine - powerful and frugal at the same time. This big-eyed small car has found lots of admirers already thanks to its cute looks coupled with that Maruti badge.

Its lively, fresh and young interiors may lack on the space front with a rather unusable boot that fills up with nothing more than just your grocery bags, but all that gets overlooked once you're strapped in and driving around. The A-Star is by far one of the best handling hatchbacks we've seen and the joy that driving one brings definitely makes this the best mid-level hatch in the country.

Test Drive - Maruti Suzuki A-Star >>
 
 

User's Comments
  • Varun (16 December 2009 04:39)
    Hey guys, I own an A-Star for about 6 months now and have no complains so far. You can run the car at 140 and it won't even make a sound or give you a feeling that it's too much to handle (As I felt in some cars).Regarding boot space, I needed car for me to drive around in Delhi. I guess it serves my purpose and I never had any issues with space. I even had 6 people in car travelling 400 KM with almost no problems. So this is "the car" for me. | Reply
  • Paul (08 November 2009 14:22)
    A-Star!. When I took a test drive of this car, I thought of only one thing. This car is "Born to be a Star". With superb muscular style and tough body, this car is the best rated car in small segment in India. The car is Launched in Europe by the name "Alto". Let me tell you with some of the excellent Features of the the car.1. Fully TECT Control2. K- Series Engine for super milage3. ABS with EBD Brake Assist.4. Integrated Music system.5. Security system with Intrusion Alert6. Immobilizer.7. Air BagsThese are not all. A-Star is EURO-3 complaint and produces less CO2, which means that the car is eco friendly. Maruti has designed this car keeping in mind to meet the International Standard, with all good feature.Guys, I do not say that Hyundai i 10 is not a good car however, A-star is always ahead than i 10. Finally the car is Born to be a Star. | Reply
 Pranav Raj Nair (26 November 2009 11:41) Reply to Paul
YOU are absolutely right. This is available in Europe and is a super hit. Nissan is also marketing this car. It is such a wonderful cute car that achieved global acclaim. Yet, some of our countrymen think Hyundai is better than this. I pity them. As Poision Ivy pointed out, Hyundai was never innovative. Indians are crazy. they do not accept anything on our own. (Maruti is joint venture,dont forget). Hats off to A star. You rock!! | Reply
  • Poison Ivy (17 October 2009 02:07)
    Hyundai / Korean companies have always aped Japanese industry since the end of the 2nd World War. Zooming out slightly further, the main reason for lack of an original Korean indeginous company is their unruly labour compared to the vastly more productive Japanese. And Hyundai being a by-product of the Korean rebuilding after the 2nd World War has always chosen to adopt the easier route by copying an orignial bestseller. This practice continues to this day. | Reply
  • Nannu (17 October 2009 01:59)
    Hyundai is a world wide copy cat compny - Dont u know guys??Guys just apply your mind to the so called Hyundai infamous plagiarism attitude..1. Came the Sonata which had its design almost lifted from Jaguar.2. Sonata Embera - An absolute bootleg and very much in line to the new Honda accord3. Tucson - Am sure many will agree that the rear of a Tucson is appealing, but the fact of the matter is that they Stole it again from Holden captiva.Though the latter scores in all front.Is Hyundai deprived of design engineers? Or is does it just speak of its photocopying approach?? | Reply
  • Prasad (15 October 2009 19:47)
    Maruti A star is not a fllop.There is evidence. You just cant write whatever you want. It seems that this guy has not even driven or heard of A star. TOI dont publish all the reviews. Some fools really exaggerate | Reply
  • Sanjib Kumar Dash Advocate (15 October 2009 17:59)
    What ever may be the comments or suggestions posted from different people, I have decided to own Astar Vxi | Reply
  • Tony (11 October 2009 15:31)
    A Star Guys wake up !!!! Sep 2009 Sales figure :Hyundai i10 : 12733 A Star : 1791refer : http://motoroids.com/index.php?option=com_content | Reply
  • biju (19 September 2009 19:23)
    if i10 is meant for ladies then a star is meant for infants.. interiors are cramped, the plastics are cheap 2 say d least, ..well is der any boot space??? looks - simply pathetic, a toad looks better.. | Reply
  • Uttam (14 September 2009 21:16)
    For me car is means a complete package. I have analyzed cars before taking it, for me test drive is not sufficient (that is only for those who have little knowledge of cars). A-Star is EURO-3 complient and 4 and 5 ready that means it is an eco friendly car. Milage - on the first day when I got the car I drove around 100 kms with close to 16.5 kmpl with AC. Maintanance-1st oil change takes place after 10000Kms that means cleaner car than others. I met with an small accident without much damage but wanted to make sure everything was fine because i had to travel from Haridwar to Delhi, 3 service stations around all ready to help that means better service network. Cooling - AC is very effective. I also dorve the car with 6 people in it and it responded well. My travel from Kaudiyala to Devprayag to Delhi, i got good control as well as milage of 17.5Kmpl in the hilly tracks is awesome. Dear Thrisha, I can keep on writing proving whos who so start thinking like a knowledged person rather than someone who has no manners :) | Reply
  • kishore (09 September 2009 23:05)
    @thrisha everybody knows about the reputation of Maruti Suzuki and A-star. A-star is the car for young men as uttam said. Drive the a-star and you can feel the difference | Reply
  • thrisha (08 September 2009 11:58)
    it is fools car. I had the test drive of that vehicle. I was totally disappointed with the interiors, exteriors, quality. it is same as the other unperfectionist vehicle as suzuki. u see US suzuki is the worst selling and most untrusted brand. when u spend money of 4 lakhs on a star. it is best to think of i10. | Reply
 Ahmed Irfan (26 November 2009 11:50) Reply to thrisha
US market is totally different. GM rules the market but in Asia, they remain unpopular. GM has gone to dogs now. Suzuki is Japan's fourth largest auto brand and they have sold wagon r and swift like hot cakes in many countries including Australia. Do not compare Suzuki Alto ( it is Alto in Europe) with VW,Dodge and BMW. | Reply
 Rahul (08 November 2009 13:57) Reply to thrisha
Thrisha:I took a test drive of A-star. Indeed, I was overwhelmed by the quality and the smoothness of the car. The interiors gives a look and feel of high segment cars. With integrated music system, ABS with EBD Brake assist, immobilizer, TECT Control, Air Bags, Security Alerts, and above all superb mileage and low maintenance cost the car is worth buying for 4.34 Lakhs. Hyundai i 10 will never give that comfort as compared to Maruti.I think you should sit on top of a swine or a donkey ad then enjoy the ride. You will feel much better. | Reply
  • vishal (05 September 2009 19:01)
    the i10 is also a good car but still little expensive as compared to its competitors. | Reply
  • Uttam (01 September 2009 17:31)
    Its great to see so many fans of A-Star as I am also one of them :) .. I also own this car and iam very happy with its performance. If i have to compare this car (Vxi) with i10 (Era 1.1L) then it is a better car because: 1) all power windows integrated sterio, i10 have only 2 power windows (2) fuel economical (3) Better and economical Service. The only problem according to me is that when the AC is on the car is bit reluctent to pick up, i10 also have similar problem even having 1.1L engine. Dual Toned Interior is better than i10 monotonous beige color. The only good thing about i10's interior is the gears thats all. Space is not a comparision but for me and my wife it is sufficient with lots of space in the front seats | Reply
  • Rohan (01 September 2009 10:46)
    Hey Ms. Falguni ! A star has not been named as best performance car solely by Zig wheels.. U can check other Auto Magazines for updates..But yaa I 10 is also good but when it comes to performance A star rocks...If you don't believe than have a look at Statistics | Reply
  • mansel (31 August 2009 17:44)
    Technically its a great car... top notch... drive is great but the article says its 'extremely good looking' ... thats a bit too much....it looks like a bull dog with the legs of a chicken | Reply
  • anuj (29 August 2009 16:32)
    Maruti Suzuki A-star (sold as Nissan Pixo/ Suzuki Alto in Europe ) is rated as fourth best environment friendly car as per the VCD eco-car ratings. VCD((Verkehrsclub Deutschland – German Traffic Club) eco-car rate cars on the basis four different rating categories - CO2 emission,noise pollution, health pollution and environmental pollution. The VCD has been following environmentally compatible cars for 20 years accepted by top societies and manufacturers across the world.A-star powered by the K-series engine emits just 103g/km and is rated behind prius hybrid,insight hybrid and toyota IQ. While none of the three vehicles are not available in India. We drive A-star on Indian roads. Great going A-star........ | Reply
  • tarun (24 August 2009 13:11)
    I'm an owner of A-star for six months. You can't go wrong with A-star..I10 is meant for ladies | Reply
  • vignesh (24 August 2009 13:10)
    @ bibhu @Falguni @Moe A-star is the Ideal car for city runabout. A-star's performance is unmatchable even by large sedans. Who wants extra space in city | Reply
  • MOe (23 August 2009 15:32)
    i10 tramps over the a-star.the deal-breaker being the PA-THETIC BOOT SPACE. activas probably have more space beneath their seats. suzuki needs to re-boot its design;) | Reply
 Coe (08 November 2009 14:27) Reply to MOe
Moe, you are a not correct. A-Star supersede i-10 in many ways.Sit on top of a Mule and you will understand the difference. | Reply
  • Falguni Dutta (21 August 2009 15:21)
    Hey Mr. Jazzy, Your brain is a little hazy! individual thinking does not make a car better or worse. It's performance which need to be experienced. first drive the cars in question | Reply
  • Jazzy (21 August 2009 12:20)
    @Falguni: I understand that you think the i10 is a better car than the A-Star. ZigWheels thinks the opposite and hence must be gratified by Maruti...but should we also assume that you have been gratified by Hyundai?? | Reply
  • Rajesh (21 August 2009 10:39)
    A Star has no comparison on looks and performance, space mainly boot is a constraint but one needs to decide the requirement befor buying. We have been using for last 10 months and it is amazing. | Reply
  • Anshu (21 August 2009 00:10)
    What...A-star ahead of i10, reviewer Sir please.... be judicious rather being baised. | Reply
  • Falguni Dutta (20 August 2009 19:02)
    Hey, come on! I'll make a much better reviewer than you guys! i10 is streets ahead of A-star in terms of performance, space and build quality. A-star has cramped inetriors, no boot to speak of and is a poor performer in stop and go traffic. Only positive side to it is its looks which is better than that of i10. | Reply
  • ss (20 August 2009 12:47)
    Bibhu except versa and baleno altura no suzuki product has ever flopped in India. You can check with the number of A Stars that maruti is selling every month and u'll get the answer. Its a truly amazing car. | Reply
  • bibhu (20 August 2009 12:34)
    Your opinion is highly biased. A-Star is cramped inside, ugly outside, and is one of the biggest flops of Maruti. | Reply
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