Suzuki Alto vs Daihatsu Cuore

design_concept_alto_11img_coure-1Suzuki’s Alto has been launched by the carmaker to compete with Daihatsu’s Cuore. Although they are both priced in the same range (Alto variants priced for Rs.0.588million & Rs.0.637million while variants of Cuore sell for Rs.0.569million to Rs.0.709million); engine displacement of Cuore is only 847cc (3-cylinders) with a 3-speed A/T transmission  (5-speed in CX & CXCNG variants) compared with 970cc (4-cylinders) displacement of the Alto’s with its 5-speed M/T transmission.

is more compact at 3.3m in length while Alto is slightly larger at 3.395m. Both have near exact suspension systems i.e. MacPherson Strut for front wheels & isolated trailing link for rear ones. WHile fuel tanks are also identical (37-litre capacity) the CNG cylinder in Alto is slightly bigger (55-L) than Cuore’s (50-L).

If Alto sells for its better performance features the severalphoto_7 variants of Cuore design_concept_alto_11make it affordable to a variety of buyers including some chunk of the Cultus market which is otherwise the only car that competes exclusively against ‘unorganized imports’. Both are assembled locally with Daihatsu assembling their’s at the Toyota Indus Motors plant & Suzuki having their own assembly unit.

Daihatsu Cuore Review

 

daihatsu-cuore

 

 

cuore-interior

 

 

 

The Daihatsu cuore is a car from the 90’s so it doesn’t feel like a modern car at all. It was built to be basic and cheap and it sure is basic, but cheap…I don’t think so.

Even the engineers at the daihatsu dealership admit that this car has some design faults which can’t be fixed especially some clutch related issues. Apart from that it is very reliable and easy to maintain and it’s always welcome in the second hand car market.

 

Score

Remarks

Performance

7/10

Lack of weight covers up well for the lack of power

Grip & handling

4/10

Not great

Comfort

4/10

Poor

Reliability

8/10

Very good

Fuel economy

6/10

Let down by its prehistoric fuel injection system

Maintenance

8/10

Easy to maintain

Resale

9/10

Anytime

Price

4/10

Too expensive

Equipment

4/10

Bare minimum

                         

 

MODEL

PRICE

CUORE CL

569,000

CUORE CL CNG

609,000

CUORE CX

619,000

CUORE CX MET

625,000

CUORE CX CNG

664,000

CUORE CX CNG MET

669,000

CUORE CX A/T

649,000

CUORE CX A/T MET

654,000

CUORE ECOMATIC

704,000

CUORE ECOMATIC MET

709,000

Source: Toyota-indus.com 

Rivals:

Toyota Vitz/Platz

Suzuki Alto

Chevrolet Joy

Chery QQ

Suzuki Mehran

Verdict:

Cuore is not a bad car but you can get a much better car in the same budget.