Suzuki Alto Third generation
Suzuki Alto (Third generation) was built from 1988 to 1994, as a 3/5-door hatchback; 3/5-door van; 4-door hatchback (sliding door on right). Powertrain: 547 cc F5B 6/12-valve SOHC I3; 547 cc F5B 6-valve SOHC turbo I3; 547 cc F5B 12-valve DOHC I3; 547 cc F5B 12-valve DOHC turbo I3; 657 cc F6A…. Layout: Front-engine, front-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive. Size: 3,195 x 1,395 x 1,380 mm (L x W x H). Weight: 540-730 kg.
Composed from the specifications below, so it states nothing the specs do not. The picture illustrates the body shape, not this car; a photograph is added when a licence-safe one exists.
Overview
The third generation (CL/CM11) replaced the CA71 in September 1988. This was the last generation of Alto to have an associated Fronte model. It had strikingly angular styling, with an unusual glazed C-pillar on the 5-door. Another curiosity of this generation was the availability of a version with sliding doors on both sides (initially; the layout was changed in 1990), the "Slide Slim", intended to simplify entering and exiting in tight spaces. It also made ingress and egress easier for the old, the infirm, and people in tight skirts. This door type wouldn't be used for some time until the arrival of the Toyota Porte and Peugeot 1007.
Source: the English Wikipedia article on this model, CC BY-SA 4.0. Text may be shortened; read the full article for the complete text.
Not yet sourced for this model. Used prices swing with year, mileage, grade and country, so we publish a market range only when it comes with a named source and a date, and never an estimate. For a live figure, use the landed-cost tool with the price on the auction sheet.
Against the other van / MPV models in this database (40 with this body type). Computed from the dimensions in the specifications, so it changes as the database grows.
- 200 mm below the median of 3,395 mm, and shorter than 84% of the 38 other van / MPV models in this database.
- 80 mm below the median of 1,475 mm, and narrower than 87% of the 38 other van / MPV models in this database.
- 210 mm below the median of 1,590 mm, and lower than 79% of the 24 other van / MPV models in this database.
- about the same as the median of 2,360 mm, and shorter than 61% of the 38 other van / MPV models in this database.
Who it suits
- Families, groups and shuttle work: the people-carrier body is built around seating and access.
- City and mixed driving: hatchbacks are compact outside and flexible inside.
Check before you buy
- Ask for service records: turbocharged engines are sensitive to oil changes and cool-down habits.
- Test the four-wheel-drive system (transfer case, differentials) and look for uneven tyre wear.
- Inspect for corrosion at sills, floor, subframes and suspension mounts, and replace perishable rubber (hoses, bushes, boots) at import.
- Read the auction sheet grade and notes, and verify the odometer against service and inspection records. How to read an auction sheet
- Run a history check (accidents, flood, mileage) before you bid. History check guide
- Import age rules: this generation already qualifies in United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia. Confirm the rule for your exact vehicle with customs before buying. Landed-cost calculator
General guidance for this type of vehicle, worked out from its body, powertrain and age. It is not a finding about this particular model; use an inspection and the auction sheet for the car you are actually buying.
Worked out from this generation's production years and each country's age rule. Rules also depend on vehicle type and the month of manufacture, so confirm with customs before you buy.
Other generations of the Alto
- First generation · 1979-1984
- Second generation · 1984-1988 (Japan); 1995-2010 (China); 1986-2014 (India); 1988-2019 (Pakistan)
- Fourth generation · 1994-1998
- Fifth generation · 1998-2005 (Japan); 2000-2012 (Pakistan); 2000-2014 (India); 2000-2003 (Colombia)
- Sixth generation · 2004-2009
- Seventh generation · 2009-2014
- Eighth generation · 2014 2021 (Japan); 2019 present (Pakistan)
- Ninth generation · 2021 present
More from Suzuki · all Suzuki models
- e Sky · 2026-present
- Spacia (Third generation) · 2023 - present (Spacia/Spacia Custom); 2024 - present (Spacia Gear)
- Wagon R Smile · 2021-present
- Hustler (Second generation) · 2020 - present
- Swace · 2020 - 2025
- Jimny (Fourth generation) · 2018-present
Can I import a Suzuki Alto (Third generation) from Japan?
By production year alone, Suzuki Alto (Third generation) is inside the age window for United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia. Rules depend on vehicle type and the month of manufacture, so confirm with customs before you buy.
What powers the Suzuki Alto (Third generation)?
Per its encyclopedia infobox, engine: 547 cc F5B 6/12-valve SOHC I3; 547 cc F5B 6-valve SOHC turbo I3; 547 cc F5B 12-valve DOHC I3; 547 cc F5B 12-valve DOHC turbo I3; 657 cc F6A 6/12-valve SOHC I3; 657 cc F6A 6-valve SOHC turbo I3; 657 cc F6A 12-valve DOHC turbo I3.
How big is the Suzuki Alto (Third generation)?
3,195 mm long and 1,395 mm wide and 1,380 mm tall, on a 2,335 mm wheelbase (3/5-door hatchback; 3/5-door van; 4-door hatchback (sliding door on right)). For container loading, use the container packer.
Answered from this page's own data, not from outside claims. See the sources below.
- en.wikipedia.org (retrieved 2026-10-19)
Confidence: single-source (Wikipedia infobox). Specifications differ by market, trim and model year; the auction sheet or the vehicle's registration document is the final word on a particular car.
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