Hyundai Eon vs new Maruti Alto 800: Comparison

Maruti has just launched the new Alto 800, improving it significantly in some areas to take on its key competitor, the Hyundai Eon. The Alto 800 has been India’s largest-selling car month on month, even after the entry of the Hyundai Eon last year. Can the new Alto 800 continue to outsell the Eon?

CarToq compares the Hyundai Eon and new Alto 800, to list out which one would suit you, the car buyer, better depending on your needs.

Looks, fit and finish compared: Eon steals the show

Exteriors

The Hyundai Eon has plenty of cuts and curve all along its body and it follows Hyundai’s fluidic design theme (from some quarters it can be mistaken for an i10). It has a tall-boy design, which frees up some interior headroom and looks muscular. The new Alto 800 is taller by 15 mm compared to the older Alto and is wider by 15 mm, freeing up some interior space. The 800 looks much simpler and a bit gawky in comparison to the Eon, but has simpler design lines. Also see: New Alto 800 vs old Alto 800

Interiors

Maruti has taken a leaf out of Hyundai’s design for the interiors – by using slimmer front seats with the back scooped out to free up legroom and using integrated headrests. The Alto 800 comes in a choice of grey or beige interiors, while the Eon too gets beige interiors making it feel airy. Both cars are comfortable enough for four, but five is a squeeze.

In terms of looks, neither is particularly good looking, but if you want some style and flamboyance pick the Eon, but if you prefer simpler lines, the Alto 800 is ok.

Comfort and features: Eon scores with more space

The top-end Hyundai Eon Sportz and the Alto 800 are reasonably loaded. The Hyundai Eon and Alto both offer a single driver airbag as an option in their top-end variants. AC, power steering, internally adjustable rear-view mirrors, two power windows are other standard features on both in the top-end variants. However, the Eon also offers a CD,USB,Aux-in music system as standard on the top-end variant, while these are optional extras with the Alto 800.

The Eon has better contoured seats which make seating comfort better. It also has more luggage space at 215 litres, compared to just 177 litres with the Alto. So if luggage carrying capacity is a key parameter for you pick the Hyundai Eon. Also read: Why Eon is more value for money than Alto K10

Engine and performance compared: Eon has more power but Alto 800 handles better

The Hyundai Eon is powered by an 814 cc, three-cylinder petrol engine that puts out 55 bhp of power at 5500 rpm and 75 Nm of torque at 4000 rpm, with a five speed manual transmission. The Maruti Alto 800 is powered by a 796 cc three-cylinder petrol engine that puts out 47.5 bhp of power at 6000 rpm and 69 Nm of torque at 3500 rpm, with a five-speed manual transmission. The Eon with a kerb weight of 705 Kg and Alto 800 with a kerb weight of 715 Kg are similar in weight, giving the Eon an edge in power-to-weight ratio.

However, when it comes to performance and handling, the gearshift feel is much better in the Maruti Alto 800, with a slicker, sure-shifting, gearstick compared to the rubbery feel you get in the Eon. In terms of steering response as well, the Alto 800 has a better, more precise steering than the Eon. Also see: Hyundai Eon vs Alto K10

Overall, if power is not a key concern, but overall drivability is, then the Alto 800 is better to drive than the Hyundai Eon. However, if you’re looking at top-end speed, the Eon may have an edge.

Price, mileage and value for money compared: Alto 800 lives up to the promise

When it comes to fuel economy the Maruti Alto 800 continues to dominate. It has a claimed mileage of 22.74 kmpl, while the Hyundai Eon has a claimed mileage of 21 kmpl. In real world conditions, the Eon delivers about 15-16 kmpl in the city, while the Alto is slightly better at 17-18 kmpl.

When it comes to price and value for money, the Alto 800 is clearly the better car here. The Alto is priced between Rs. 2.44 lakh and Rs. 3.19 lakh for the petrol variants and Rs. 3.19 lakh and Rs. 3.56 lakh, ex-showroom. This is significantly lower than the Eon which is priced at Rs. 2.74 lakh for the base variant (no AC, no power-steering) and Rs. 3.76 lakh for the top-end petrol variant.

In terms of sheer value for money the Alto 800 is better than the Hyundai Eon.

Conclusion: Alto 800 for the budget conscious

If you are on a tight budget and want an entry-level car the Maruti Alto 800 is a clear choice. However, if you want a bit more style and flamboyance, with a bit more power, and don’t mind shelling out at least Rs. 50,000 more variant for variant, check out the Hyundai Eon.