Suzuki is getting very serious on the new-car market in Australia. Hard on the heels of the Suzuki Baleno bounce-back, the Japanese company that specialises in small cars and SUVs has breathed new life into the Ignis and has launched the compact sports utility vehicle onto our market.
Coming to market in two specification levels – GL and GLX – the Suzuki Ignis is unusual in being offered in four and five-seat versions.
The entry level GL manual comes to market at $16,990 driveaway, the CVT $17,990, while the GLX, CVT only, tops out the range at $19,990 drive away.
As well as CVT, the GLX has 16-inch alloy wheels, up from the GL’s 15s, auto LED headlamps with integrated LED daytime running lights, keyless entry and push start, automatic air-conditioning and privacy rear glass.
Stowage space ranges from 264 litres with all seatbacks raised to 1104 litres with the rear seats folded. Head and legroom in all seats are impressive and the hip point height of the rear seat makes access and exit easy.
Funky exterior and edgy interior styling with colour, including two-tone combinations, give you plenty of chances to personalise. You can also personalise grille trim, grille centre garnish, wheel decals, side stripes and C-pillar gill slits.
The Ignis’ cabin can be personalised with the colour choices on the seat trim, centre console, transmission surrounds, grab handles on the doors, air vent, rear-view mirror and foglight.
Standard across the range are 7.0-inch infotainment touch screen for satellite navigation and rear-view camera, as well as access to audio, aux inputs, USB and SD card, Bluetooth and smartphone connection to Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink.
There is cruise control, speed limiter, tinted windows, leather trimmed three-spoke steering wheel with audio and cruise buttons, plus hands-free phone switching.
The list goes on with a trip computer accessed from the steering wheel, which delivers info including instant and average fuel consumption, distance to empty and average speed.
The Aussie Ignis is powered by a new four-cylinder 1.2-litre Dualjet (two injectors per cylinder) mated with either a five-speed manual or continuously variable transmission. It puts out 60 kW of power at 6000 rpm and 120 Nm of torque at 4400 revs, not big outputs, but the Ignis weighs in at just 820 kg so performs pretty well.
Safety is five-star with dual front, side and curtain airbags, electronic stability program, anti-skid brakes with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist, while the CVT adds hill holder.
At this stage we haven’t been able to test drive a new Suzuki Ignis, as soon as we can arrange it we will bring a full review on the interesting new model.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
Suzuki Ignis GL: $16,990 (manual), $17,990 (CVT)
Suzuki Ignis GLX: $19,990 (CVT)
Note: These are driveaway prices
