Suzuki Ignis GL 2017 Review

What’s it all about?
Remember when Atari was in? When big hair was cool and acid-wash jeans were a wardrobe staple? It was an era when Japanese light cars were at the top of their game. Extracting seemingly impossible levels of interior accommodation from their teensy-tiny frames made nameplates like the Daihatsu Charade and Suzuki Alto household names.

Yes, it was about bringing cheap, reliable and fun-to-drive transport to the masses; and the Japanese did it best.

Somewhere along the way, we lost our love for the ‘kei’ car (a Japanese light car class set to meet tax and insurance legislation). Larger, increasingly fuel-efficient models took the place of these loveable tiddlers; ‘$19,990’ small-segment cars from Korea and Japan promising better crash ratings, more space and more power.

But as these models grow ever larger – and inner-city parking spots smaller – it’s cars like the Ignis that again make sense. Well built, sensibly priced and fun-to-drive, the high-riding five-door ‘SUV’ is just the ticket for cost-conscious city dweller; acid-wash jeans or not.

How much will it cost?
With a starting price of $15,990 (plus on-road costs), the Suzuki Ignis undercuts all of its Small SUV competitors. Arguably, the Ignis is no more a Small SUV than a Toyota Yaris, but Suzuki says it is, so who are we to argue?

Labels aside, the Ignis remains a cost-effective proposition. Fit the continuously variable ‘automatic’ transmission, and upgrade to the top-spec GLX variant ($19,990 drive-away!), and it’s still cheaper than its big-name same-class rivals – including the Ford EcoSport (from $20,790 plus ORCs) and Mazda CX-3 (from $19,990 plus ORCs).

On the downside, metallic paint costs a bomb ($500-$1000 depending on hue), service intervals are short (at six months/10,000km) and there’s no included roadside assistance. But Suzuki does offer capped-price servicing for five years/100,000km (it’ll cost you just $2382 to service during that time) and a three-year/100,000km warranty. Given Suzuki’s bullet-proof reputation, we think the plan is more than adequate.

Of course it also runs on the smell of the proverbial oily rag, a week with the Ignis returning a real-world average of 4.8L/100km – just 0.1L over the ADR Combined claim.

Add to this standard satellite navigation, the reversing camera, and decent touchscreen audio system, and it’s pretty obvious the Ignis offers a lot of bang for your buck.

Why should/shouldn’t I buy it?
The Ignis is a terrific city runabout that’s easy to place, and at 3700mm long, even easier to park. The seating position allows good all-round vision (helped by the standard reversing camera) and is well placed in terms of its hip point. However, the relationship to the pedals and steering column may not be a good fit for all, owing to the lack of base height adjustment.

We also found the front of the seat cushion is a little firm, and the sides a little soft. The result is a seat that’s not always supportive, which may prove less than ideal on longer trips. There is, however, plenty of room in the boot at 271 litres, enough for a weekends’ luggage.

Truth be told, longer trips are probably not the Ignis’ strong point. It’s a city car at heart, and is better suited to zipping in and out of suburbs than it is undertaking extended regional tours. Where it’s light and lithe in town the Ignis is slightly nervous at highway speeds – the skinny 175/65-series tyres and short 2435mm wheelbase falling fowl of lumpy ruts and corrugations.

Otherwise, the Ignis handles itself quite well. The suspension borders on soft, owing in part to the extended ride height offered, but is nonetheless capable with one or two people on board. Place adults in the back seat however, and the Ignis soon finds its bump stops.

Familiarise yourself with the Ignis’ body-roll and you’ll find plenty of grip to be had. It’s just a matter of trust [wait, is that another 80s reference?].

On the performance front, we find Suzuki’s K12C twin-cam unit is a charmer. Happy to rev, and well-matched to its five-speed manual gearbox, the engine is surprisingly peppy – a point no doubt helped by the Ignis’ diminutive 820kg kerb mass. Even at freeway speeds there’s plenty in reserve, the Ignis having little trouble hustling the pace to overtake.

When is it available in Australia?
The entry-grade Suzuki Ignis GL (as tested) and top-spec Ignis GLX are on sale now.

Locally, only front-wheel drive versions of the Ignis are sold, leaving Suzuki’s competitors free to offer the security of all-wheel grip.

Suzuki is sold by Suzuki Australia is all states bar Queensland, where the brand is distributed by independent distributor, Mayfairs Wholesale.

Who will it appeal to?
Along with the upcoming Swift and Vitara, the Ignis is expected to do big things for the famous Japanese small-car maker.

Suzuki reckons it can surpass 30,000 unit sales locally this year (2017), relying on predominantly private family and first-time buyers in the case of the Ignis.

That said, we think the Ignis holds greater appeal. Its ‘cute’ looks, practical layout and ease of operation make it an attractive proposition for younger urban buyers, while the aforementioned running costs, sensible hip point and commanding driving position will certainly appeal to older drivers.

Irrespective of buyer age, however, we caution that all should be aware of Ignis’ safety standing. The model is yet to be rated under Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) standards, the Ignis scoring a three-star EuroNCAP crash rating in standard form, or five stars when fitted with the optional Safety Pack (not fitted to Australian models). Suzuki Australia says it’s looking at offering the Ignis with AEB locally, which it says should then give it a five-star safety rating.

Where does it fit?
Selling in the Small SUV category locally, the Ignis is somewhat unfairly ranked. The positioning sees it rival a range of ‘small’ SUVs that include the likes of Ford EcoSport, Mazda CX-3 and Skoda Yeti, but also larger models like the Honda HR-V, Jeep Renegade and even the Nissan Qashqai!

We can’t help feel that if a Light SUV category existed that the Ignis would have a better chance of a stronger market share.

Or, Suzuki could drop the SUV charade [there’s that 80’s reference again] and plug the Ignis into the Light Car category, where it would play against the Honda Jazz, Skoda Fabia and Toyota Yaris, for example.

So, what do we think?
It won’t appeal to everyone. But those who ‘get it’ certainly won’t be disappointed. Sure, the seats could be a little better cushioned, and the Bluetooth quicker to connect, but otherwise the Ignis’ bibs and bobs all work as they should – and did we mention how much fun it is to drive?

This is everything we loved of the 1980s Japanese car with far fewer foibles. The design is sharp, the packaging functional and the driveline super smooth – and at this price that’s much more than we can say of some.

So, who’s up for a game of Pac Man?

2017 Suzuki Ignis GL pricing and specifications:
Price: $15,990 (as tested, plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 66kW/120Nm
Transmission: Five-speed manual
Fuel: 4.7L/100km (ADR Combined) / 4.8L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 107g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: TBA (see main story)

Also consider:
>> Ford EcoSport (from $20,790 plus ORCs)
>> Mazda CX-3 (from $19,990 plus ORCs)
>> Renault Captur (from $23,500 plus ORCs)

Related reading:
>> International Launch Review
>> Australian Launch Review
>> Mazda CX-3 v Suzuki Ignis Comparison Test