Maruti alto 800 Vs Hyundai Eon – Auto portal India Reviews the Entry-level Cars

India is one of the biggest and fastest growing car markets in the world, especially for the entry-level cars. The demand for small cars has always been high in India, perhaps due to financial constraints of the majority of the people here. For a budget conscious Indian car buyer, a small hatch is more attractive option than a big sedan. The compact car is easy to handle and is relatively cheaper too. Maruti, the leading car manufacturer of India is an expert when it comes to building cars that appeal to the masses. Hyundai, a Korean manufacturer, has also performed well in the Indian market and has posed a challenge to the Maruti cars in the entry-level segment.

Here is a comparison of two of the most sold cars in the entry-level segment, one from Maruti and another from Hyundai. While Alto has been an active player for more than a decade now, the Eon is a new entrant in comparison. Alto 800, the latest edition of Alto is pitted against the Eon here. Let us find out who emerges stronger.

Exterior – The Alto 800 has the most attractive look than any of its predecessors had. It comes with broad headlamps, chrome grille at the front and a razor sharp bumper, all of which augment the beauty of the car. The rear has been done with clear lens tail lamps as well. On the other hand, the Eon has a better-looking exterior, with the front and rear bumpers flowing into a strong line complementing the wheel arches. It is the most compact car as well.

Interiors – Although there is nothing in special on the inside of Alto 800, it has certainly improved in comparison with earlier models. The grey-back dashboard looks quite ok and so does the materials used. The fitments are sturdy and the inside offers a reasonable amount of space too. Although it is a four-seater car, the Maruti alto 800 can accommodate five people in reasonable comfort. Eon has two-toned faux aluminium inserts on the dashboard adding to its feel. It has better style than the Alto 800. However, fitting three people into the back seat of Eon is quite difficult.

Engine & Transmission - The Alto 800 runs on a 1.0-liter engine of 68bhp and 90 Nm. It is mated to a five-speed transmission gearbox. Eon is less powerful at 56bhp and 74.5 Nm, but it offers a better mileage of 21.1 kmpl as compared to the 20.2 kmpl of Alto 800. However, the availability of an AMT version offers the Alto 800 a definitive edge over Eon. Price – Alto is priced at INR 306000/- and above, whereas the Eon is available for INR 388000/- and above.