A 660cc car can reach the northern areas, but it is the least forgiving choice of vehicle for the job, and the route you pick matters more than it would in anything bigger. The Suzuki Alto, Pakistan's only current 660cc model, has a modest 39 hp and 56 Nm of torque to carry a full load up long climbs, and forum accounts from drivers who have taken one over Babusar Pass are mixed at best. The gentler Karakoram Highway route through Kohistan asks much less of a small engine than the steep, high Babusar climb does.
This guide is about what actually changes when the engine is this small: which route to take, how to drive the climbs and descents, and how to keep the car from overheating or losing its brakes partway up.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Only current 660cc car in Pakistan | Suzuki Alto (39 hp, 56 Nm) |
| Older Mehran | Actually 800cc, not 660cc |
| Suzuki Cultus | 1,000cc, more power in reserve than either |
| Babusar Pass altitude | 4,173 m |
| Babusar open season | Roughly April to September, weather permitting |
| Easier route for a small engine | Karakoram Highway via Kohistan, longer but far less steep |
Clearing up which cars are actually 660cc
"660cc car" gets used loosely to mean any small hatchback, but only the current Suzuki Alto is genuinely 660cc in Pakistan. The old Suzuki Mehran, still common on the road and often mentioned in the same breath, ran an 800cc engine throughout its production. The Suzuki Cultus is bigger again, at 1,000cc with around 67 hp. That extra displacement and power is real, and it is the reason a Mehran or Cultus generally copes with a mountain climb more comfortably than an Alto with the same load. If you're choosing between these three for a northern trip, the Alto is genuinely the one to plan around most carefully.
Babusar or the Karakoram Highway?
This is the single biggest decision for an underpowered car. Babusar Pass climbs to 4,173 metres over a comparatively short, steep road with sharp direction changes, and it's where most of the doubts about small cars come from; drivers on Pakistani car forums have reported an Alto struggling for power on the steepest sections, particularly with a full car of passengers and luggage.
The alternative from Islamabad, the Karakoram Highway through Kohistan to Chilas, is a much longer drive but a far gentler gradient, since it follows the Indus river valley rather than crossing a high pass. It suits a small engine better precisely because it asks less of it at any one time. Our comparison of Babusar Top and the KKH goes through both routes for every kind of vehicle; for a 660cc car specifically, the KKH is the safer default, and Babusar is worth attempting only in a lightly loaded car, in good summer weather, with a driver who is comfortable on steep switchbacks.
One safety note applies regardless of engine size: as of September 2026 the UK government advises against all travel on the stretch of the Karakoram Highway between Mansehra and Chilas, through Besham and Dasu. Babusar avoids that stretch entirely when it's open in summer, which is one more reason to prefer it if your group includes anyone travelling on a foreign passport, since ignoring that advice can void travel insurance. Everyone, whatever passport they hold, should check current road conditions before setting out.
Keep the load down
Weight is what turns a manageable climb into a struggle. Four adults and a boot full of luggage ask far more of a 39 hp engine than two people and a couple of bags. If you're taking an Alto or similar, think in terms of three people and light luggage as a comfortable maximum for the steeper stretches, and consider sending heavier bags up separately by bus or with another vehicle in the group rather than loading everything into one small car.
Driving technique for the climbs
- Use a low gear well before the engine starts labouring, not after. A 660cc engine has no reserve of torque to fall back on, so let the revs climb in second or third rather than lugging in a higher gear.
- Switch off the air conditioning on the steepest sections. It is one more load on a small engine exactly when the engine needs everything it has.
- Keep a steady, moderate speed rather than accelerating hard between switchbacks. Hard acceleration in a low-power car burns more fuel and heat for little real gain in a mountain climb.
- Stop and let the engine idle briefly if the temperature gauge climbs, rather than pushing on and hoping it settles.
The descent matters as much as the climb
Whatever the engine size, brakes are the real risk on a long mountain descent, and a light car does not make them safer, since drivers of small cars still tend to ride the brakes on long downhill stretches. Use low gear for engine braking on the way down, especially on Babusar's descent into Chilas, and stop to let the brakes cool if you smell them getting hot rather than continuing to ride them.
Is a 660cc car the right choice for this trip?
For a couple or two people travelling light, in summer, on the Karakoram Highway route, an Alto will make the trip without much drama, and plenty of Pakistani travellers do exactly this every year. For a full family with luggage, for Babusar specifically, or for anyone new to mountain driving, a bigger car earns its keep: it climbs with less strain, it has more braking margin, and it makes the trip less tiring for the driver. If a bigger car isn't an option, our guide to driving to Gilgit-Baltistan by small car has more on which specific roads suit a small hatchback and which don't.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Suzuki Alto make it to Hunza or Gilgit?
Yes, on the Karakoram Highway route through Kohistan, in good summer weather, with a light load. It's a longer drive than Babusar but far less demanding on a small engine.
Is the Suzuki Mehran actually 660cc?
No. The Mehran was built with an 800cc engine throughout its production, not 660cc. The Alto is the only current 660cc model sold in Pakistan.
Should a 660cc car attempt Babusar Pass?
Only lightly loaded, in clear summer conditions, with an experienced mountain driver. Several drivers have reported an Alto struggling for power on the steepest sections with a full car, and the Karakoram Highway is the gentler alternative.
How many people should travel in a 660cc car on this trip?
Three people with light luggage is a more realistic maximum for the steep sections than a full car of four adults and bags. Consider sending heavier luggage separately if your group is larger.
What's the biggest risk for a small car on these roads: the engine or the brakes?
The brakes, ultimately. An underpowered engine slows you down and can overheat, but worn brakes or a driver who rides them on a long descent are what actually cause accidents on roads like Babusar.
