Suzuki Alto vs. Dacia Sandero

Suzuki has decided to extend the ‘VAT free’ offer on its Alto city car until the end of March 2013, probably in response to the imminent arrival of a certain sub-£6k car from Romania.

Indeed, the blurb from Suzuki even says that the entry-level Alto SZ - now available for £5,999 - is ‘priced at just four pounds more than its closest competitor’. Of course, that rival is the Dacia Sandero, which will cost from £5,995 when sales begin later this month.

The Suzuki Alto...

...and the Dacia Sandero.

Deciding between the two could be a tricky decision, as one offers more space and safety features, while the other boasts better equipment levels and greater efficiency:

Model	Suzuki Alto SZ	Dacia Sandero Access
OTR price	£5,999	£5,995
Dimensions
Doors	Five	Five
Length	3,500 mm (11’ 6”)	4,057 mm (13’ 4”)
Width	1,600 mm (5’ 3”)	1,733 mm (5’ 8”)
Height	1,470 mm (4’ 10”)	1,523 mm (5’ 0”)
Boot space	129 litres	320 litres
Engine
Type	3-cylinder petrol	4-cylinder petrol
Capacity	996 cc	1,149 cc
Power	67 bhp (50 kW / 68 PS)	74 bhp (55 kW / 75 PS)
Torque	90 Nm (66 lb/ft)	107 Nm (78 lb/ft)
Transmission	5-speed manual	5-speed manual
Performance
0-62 mph (100 km/h)	13.5 secs	14.5 secs
Top speed	96 mph (155 km/h)	97 mph (156 km/h)
Efficiency
Combined fuel consumption	65.7 mpg (4.3 l/100km)	47.9 mpg (5.9 l/100km)
CO2 emissions	99 g/km	135 g/km
Equipment
Wheels	14” steel	15” steel
Airbags	Two	Four
Electronic stability	No	Yes
Brakes	ABS, front discs / rear drums	ABS, front discs / rear discs
Power steering	Yes	Yes
Standard body colour	White or red	White only
Metallic paint	Five shades, £399 cost option	Not available
Body-colour bumpers	Yes	No
Audio	Radio / CD player, two speakers	No
Windows	Electric front / manual rear	Manual
Central locking	Yes	No
Air conditioning	No	No
Tinted glass	Yes	Yes

Related posts:
Top 10: New cars due in 2013
£5,995 Dacia Sandero
£5,995 Suzuki Alto
99 g/km Suzuki Alto