Suzuki Ignis drive by Steve Rogers
It's funky, it's fun, and it won't break the bank.
Sounds like something worth having and you get it all
with the Suzuki Ignis, it even comes with four wheel drive.
Suzuki describe it as a compact crossover which means
it is a small city car with SUV looks because of its raised ride height and
surprisingly roomy cabin. If first appeared in our showrooms in 2017 making a
big impact with eye catching styling and clever packaging for a car only 3.7
metres.
It was shortlisted for global car of the year which
says a lot for its potential and it hasn't done too badly for the Japanese
company known more for its motorbikes and power boat engines.
Ignis has just had a bit of a facelift with a striking
grille design, bumpers and a new dual injection hybrid engine. Has it lived up
to its expectations, let's find out?
I liked the look of Ignis from day one, it was a
breath of fresh air in a host of city car rivals that lacked character and
nearly all looked the same. The big selling point was, and still is, its roomy
cabin, easily capable of carrying four adults with ample leg and headroom so an
important box ticked.
The tall SUV styling helps boost boot space, not that
you get much in a city car, but 267 litres is not to be sniffed at although be
aware that drops to 204 litres with the Allgrip model.
There is a cheery look to the cabin with delicately
coloured inlay options to break up the black trim which is low rent hard
plastic all round. That is not unusual in cars of this class and when
considering costs this is the obvious place to do it but if not bothering with
a rear cabin light was part of the plan it is a bad idea.
A seven inch touchscreen sits proud in the centre of
the dash and controls radio, Bluetooth and navigation (standard only on top
SZ5) and ties in with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto or Mirrorlink. Some rivals
have systems that are easier to fathom but it does the job and thankfully has
nothing to do with the heating controls which are physical buttons.
Economy is all important at this end of the market and
while not a class leader Ignis, with its new engine, fairs well and matched the
51mpg average for the Allgrip. Stick with two wheel drive and you could be
edging towards 60mpg.
Performance is hardly sparkling but pick up at low
revs is so Ignis can pull away when rivals might need to drop a gear. It is a
tad noisy once the revs mount and might benefit from extra sound proofing but
it all adds to the cost.
Kit level is good across the three model range which
starts at £14k and bursting with goodies at top SZ5 grade. A good bet is the
middle ground manual SZ-T at £15,499, an automatic CVT gearbox puts another
£1000 on the price tag.
If Ignis was a song we would call it a 'catchy little
number'. Its strength is its appeal across the age range. The shape is still
fresh and groovy enough to attract young drivers while the increased ride
height suits older folk who need a car that's easy to get in and out.
Fast facts
Ignis SZ5 Allgrip 5sp manual
£17499
1.2 litre; 83bhp
0-62 12.8secs; 103mph
51.9mpg combined
123g/km. 1st VED £175
Boot: 204litres
Insurance group 21
