Category: Suzuki

No comments

SUZUKI BALENO LAUNCHED ON SPACE MISSION

  By ,

Suzuki Baleno is bursting out of the light car passenger segment into the small car space while getting a spurt on in performance with its latest model. The Baleno comes in two specification levels – GL with a 1.4-litre engine, with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. A new engine, the 1.0-litre Booster Jet turbocharged variant, with six-speed automatic transmission has claimed fuel use of 5.2 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined urban / highway cycle. Low consumption is partly attributed to having a standard six-speed automatic… Read more

No comments

SUZUKI EXPANDS ITS VITARA RANGE WITH NEW TURBO-DIESEL

  By ,

Suzuki has added a turbo-charged diesel engine to its stable of Vitara SUVs – an engine that delivers more than twice the torque of the entry-level Vitara – and sips distillate at a miserly 4.9 litres per 100 km. It’s an impressive addition as we found out on the Queensland launch of the vehicle between Cairns and Cooktown via the Daintree Forest in Far North Queensland. Suzuki pioneered what we now know as compact SUVs – well before the segment was defined – way back in 1988 with the first… Read more

No comments

ANGER AT 4WDs

  By , ,
Nissan’s giant Patrol is handy in the bush

Time and again we motoring journalist are asked the question, “Why don’t they ban big 4WDs from the suburbs?” Usually followed by, “because 4WDs block the vision of others drivers and are hazardous to pedestrians.” I’ve also heard plenty of complaints about threatening behaviour by those behind the wheels of 4WDs and SUVs. And in more recent times by drivers of big 4WD dual-cab utes. Yet sales of 4WDs, which is the name usually only given to genuine off-road vehicles; and SUVs, the title used for most light duty off-roaders… Read more

No comments

SUZUKI SWIFT IS AS POPULAR AS EVER

  By ,

  Ten years without any significant change to exterior design is almost unheard of in the car industry but that’s the situation with the Suzuki Swift which continues to defy conventional wisdom by selling in consistently high numbers year-in and year-out. Indeed the popular little Suzuki finished the 2015 sales race in third place in the 30-model Light Car category, beaten only by heavyweights Mazda2 and Toyota Yaris. The current, second generation, Swift has been on sale since 2011 with the next generation expected in 2017. Much of the success… Read more

No comments

VITARA ON ROAD TO SWIFT ACTION

  By ,

Suzuki still gets it. The company that turned the Swift, an inconsequential small hatchback, into a raging sales success, worn as a good taste badge of honour by males and females of all ages, may have done it again. Its popular sports utility vehicle, the Vitara, has been given a makeover that blends the best of its solid SUV looks with modern, edgy styling to produce a head-turning yet practical crossover. The fifth-generation Vitara comes in two-wheel and four-wheel drive in two specification levels – RT-S and RT-X – the… Read more

No comments

SUZUKI CELERIO: A LOT FOR LESS

  By ,

Suzuki has been one of the kings of the small car field globally for many years and its machines just keeps on getting better. The Japanese giant does pretty well in motorbikes as well, something that can’t be said for many other car makers. Suzuki’s all-new Celerio replaced the Alto early in 2015 and has been doing pretty well for itself in the sales race. Celerio is bigger, smoother and quieter than the Alto and does an excellent job of providing transport for four adults at a most modest price,… Read more

No comments

SUZUKI KIZASHI 2010 – 2015

  By ,
2010 Suzuki Kizashi

Suzuki’s strength in Australia for many decades was in clever small cars and excellent 4WDs. Then in January 2010, it made the interesting move into medium size cars with a new model called Kizashi. Aimed at a huge number of competitors, including the Ford Mondeo, Honda Accord Euro, Mazda6, Subaru Liberty in a market segment that wasn’t particularly strong Kizashi was less successful than the importer hoped. It’s a good looker with a powerful appearance that gives a fair touch of sportiness. In August 2010 the Suzuki Kizashi Sport arrived…. Read more

No comments

SUZUKI VITARA CHARGES INTO THE BRIGHT BRIGADE

  By ,

Suzuki Vitara is taking a fascinating new direction in its 4WD history, moving away from being a dedicated 4WD / SUV into the crossover field. Even more interesting is that it’s joining European marques in providing the sort of personalisation to give you a vehicle to exactly match your needs. All Minis and Fiat’s 500 have been offering personalisation for years, Renault Captur and the Citroen DS line-up have joined the customisation contest in recent times. Now Suzuki wants part of the action. Styling cues carried over from previous models… Read more

No comments

SUZUKI SWIFT 2005 – 2015

  By ,
2006 Suzuki Swift Sport

Suzuki Swift was a big seller in Australia in the 1980s and ‘90s. Many were rebadged as Holdens and carried Barina badges. For some strange reason imports were stopped in 2000. Thankfully an all-new Swift was imported downunder beginning in February 2005 and is the subject of this week’s used-car report. The chunky lines of the body pleased many and the new Swift was a hit from day one. Note that there are no Holden versions of these later models. The Suzuki Swift is a tough little machine that’s well… Read more

No comments

SUZUKI CELERIO: A SIZE UP IN CLASS

  By ,

It used to be called the Suzuki Alto, now it’s the Suzuki Celerio. Why the new name? Because the Japanese feel that significantly improved products deserve a new name. This is contrary to the Australian way of thinking; we like to hold onto car names in a loving manner. Though, of course, we expect the designers and engineers to work on courses of constant improvement. Changing from Alto to Celerio is a move that’s probably unpopular with the Australian importers, though they are too polite to say so. They will… Read more