Suzuki Alto Owner's Manual

About The Alto

The first Suzuki Alto went into production in the late-1970s, it was a 3-door cargo version of the Fronte passenger car.

This adapting of a passenger car to seem like a cargo vehicle (or van) allowed the owners to receive a tax break in Japan, even though they then used it to haul people around.

It was so successful that other manufacturers in the Kei segment of the auto market in Japan took on the same strategy, such as Subaru.

The Kei segment of the auto market in Japan is a group of cars that must be built within a certain size, weight and power restrictions.

Suzuki also markets a tiny offroad capable SUV that fits into this class of cars called the Jimny, arguably their most popular model to date.

Whether you’ve just bought an Alto or if you’re looking to buy one, we hope that this owner’s manual will help answer any questions that you might have about your new ride.

In the mid-1980s the Alto entered its second generation and now Suzuki was experimenting with new ideas such as turbocharged engines and four-wheel-drive systems.

Suzuki carried on with the foldable rear seat that helped it claim the vehicle as a cargo vehicle and again helped the car gain many customers looking for tax breaks.

During the late-1980s the Fronte was discontinued yet the Alto line kept running due to its successes and established name, entering the third generation.

Suzuki began experimenting with new shapes and engines again, this time you could buy the Alto as a wagon with a longer body called the “Hustle”.

Eventually, in 2009, the Alto entered its sixth generation and the company moved away from the wide range of engines and shapes it had offered before.

From now on the car would only be offered with one choice of engine for each generation going forward.

A performance version of the car did make an appearance once again in 2014 (Alto RS), offering a turbocharged version of the standard 658cc powerplant.