Smart, well-made and funky, the Suzuki Ignis could be a game changing small car, er…SUV
The Suzuki Ignis is an all-new and very distinctive light car at from Suzuki. Marketed as an SUV, the Ignis is squarely targeted at twenty-somethings or even those lucky enough to score a new set of wheels as their first car.
The Ignis joins the new Baleno, freshly updated S-Cross and the show-stopping Vitara as cleverly designed and left-of-centre offerings in Suzuki’s rejuvenated and interesting line-up.
The young/young at heart focus is evident by way of a number of customisation options, a slick interior and a range of colours that pop. There’s also a front end that looks like it has spectacles, that boxy upright silhouette and those indentations in the rear quarter that have been inspired by Suzukis from the company’s early days.
Suzuki Ignis ownership starts at just at $15,990 (plus on roads) for the Suzuki Ignis GL manual and extends to $18,990 (again, plus on roads) for the Ignis GLX tested here.
The Ignis GLX has heaps of gear for a $19,000 odd car. You get satellite navigation, single-zone climate control, an enormous touchscreen infotainment system, a decent six speaker stereo, a reversing camera, push button start, high intensity discharge headlamps, automatic headlamps, alloy wheels and six airbags, anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control – these last few features will keep mum and dad happy.
All Suzuki Ignis models are powered by a 1.2 litre four-cylinder petrol engine and buyers have a choice between a five-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
The Ignis goes really well actually. The engine may only be 1.2 litres and produce 66kW @ 6000rpm and 120Nm @ 4400rpm, but it’s so eager and willing and at 860kg the Ignis is light, very light. The CVT transmission always kept the engine stirring enthusiastically and performance never left us wanting, especially when zipping (safely) around city streets.
The engine does need to rev hard to deliver peppy performance, and because the Ignis GLX is fitted with a CVT, engine noise is higher than a car fitted with a conventional automatic or a manual ‘box. The CVT makes a few whirring and whining noises of its own, too.
Suzuki claims a combined fuel consumption figure of 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres.
Handling is as bouncy and bubbly as the rest of the funky package. The Ignis feels tall and you can feel body roll through corners, but it suits the car’s quirky and friendly personality. The steering is light and is just at home on the city streets as it is on a freeway.
Ride quality is on the firm side, and can get a little choppy and bouncy over crappy inner city streets.
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The individuality. Love or loathe the design – we love it – the Ignis looks like nothing else on the road. And the option of personalisation and making the Ignis truly yours is even more tempting
The space. Thanks to the Ignis’ boxy design, there’s so much head, leg and knee room inside the cabin. You could easily load up three – or four at a squeeze – mates and head off for a road trip – the boot is pretty small though
The driving position and visibility. This is the only “SUV” aspect we could find in the Ignis package. You sit up really high and even though the car is tiny, you feel like you have a commanding position of the road. Again, another plus for new drivers.
Comfortable seats. The seats are well padded and almost squidgy, and we never got a case of numb bum.
The interior design. The Ignis is as funky on the inside as it is outside. White trim creates a bright and airy ambience and that massive touchscreen is easy to use. We also like the toggle-style switches on the climate control unit. Fit and finish are excellent too, although some plastics are a bit scratchy.
Disc brakes should be fitted to the rear as standard
There’s virtually no oddment storage in the cabin. If you want to keep something from prying eyes, it’ll have to go in the boot or glovebox, and the front cup holders are a strange shape.
The whine of the CVT and engine noise can be come draining over time – a five speed auto would be better.
The seats are soft and comfy, but it feels like you’re sitting on them, rather than in them. There’s virtually no lumbar support, either
Trip computer displayed confusing data, and it was difficult to determine the car’s average fuel consumption
If we were in the market for a cheap, cleverly designed and well-made small car that dares to be different, the Suzuki Ignis GLX will be high on our shopping list.
JUST THE SPECS Suzuki Ignis GLX Price: from $18,990 Warranty: 3 years/100,000km Capped priced servicing: $884 for the first 24 months or 40,000km Service interval: 6 months/10,000kms Safety: 6 airbags Engine: 1.2-litre 4-cyl petrol, 66kW @ 6000rpm and 120Nm @ 4400rpm Transmission: Constantly variable transmission; FWD Fuel consumption: 4.9L/100km Dimensions: 3700mm (L), 1660mm (W), 1595mm (H), 2435mm (WB) Weight: 860kg Spare: Space saver Country of Origin: Japan
Suzuki Ignis GLX Review @suzuki #newignis @themotoringuru Smart, well-made and funky, the Suzuki Ignis could be a game changing small car, er…SUV
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