Suzuki Ignis first went on sale in Australia as a three- or five-door tall hatchback. It was discontinued in 2005 before returning in 2016 with a similar shape than before but now with the very popular SUV acronym.
At just 3.7 metres long and just under 1.7 metres wide Ignis is the smallest SUV on the Australian market where it competes against larger compact SUVs like Kia Stonic and Hyundai Venue. If we accept that Ignis is really a tall hatchback there’s also the Kia Picanto which is marginally smaller and significantly cheaper.
Two Ignis variants are offered: GL and GLX. Both have the same 1.2-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine. GL gives the option of five-speed manual or continually variable, GLX is CVT only.
The manual GL is priced at $21,490 with the CVT at $22,490. The GLX sells from
$24,490. On-road costs have to be added.
Although both variants are 1.7 metres wide, the GL manages to squeeze in three rear seats. GLX is a more practical four-seater.
Standard features in the GL include 15-inch steel wheels, front foglights, roof rails. 7-inch multimedia touchscreen, satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, reversing camera, keyed ignition, and a 7-inch multimedia touchscreen,
GLX adds 16-inch alloy wheels, digital climate control, keyless entry and push button ignition, automatic LED headlights, daytime running lights and rear privacy glass.
Our test car was the GLX.
There are no claims here of seating for five (the base GL covers that area), but four occupants have little to complain about as far as living room in the GLX, with its sliding and reclining 50:50 split fold two rear seats, is concerned. The test vehicle had ample leg room all round for the average-size adult.
STYLING
We had to correct one passer-by who saw the large grille with its Suzuki styled “S” flanked by two U-shaped symbols on either side and asked if was an Isuzu. Easy mistake to make – apart from the sizes.
Although the current Ignis has been here since 2016 its styling remains fresh and, despite having a typically boxy SUV shape its designers have managed to make it stand out from many of its sleeker coupe-like rivals.
Structural elements, such as lines, surfaces and curves are neat and simple but with bold auto-levelling LED headlamps with LED daytime running lights give the Ignis a distinctive look.
INTERIOR
Despite being just 3.7 metres long and 1.7 metres wide, the upright stance of the Ignis provides surprisingly good interior space. There’s enough headroom to allow the driver’s seat to be ramped up to a reasonably high driving position. There’s even good shoulder space at the front and for the two rear passengers.
The GL has seating for three rear-seat passengers while the GLX aforementioned four seat set-up consists of firm yet comfortable positions up front and a manual slide-and-recline second row.
in which the front passenger-side occupant can take advantage of a seat back pocket.
Interior accents depend on the exterior colour, with white, grey and black getting dark blue tones on the centre console, door grips and seat stitching; red, ivory and hues silver.
Standard appointments include cruise control with speed limiter, tinted windows, leather covered three-spoke sports-style steering wheel with audio and cruise controls and hands-free phone operation.
A bold contrast of black and white on the instrument panel and door trim creates a powerful impression, while dark blue and silver highlights on the centre console and door handles attract attention.
Climate control air-conditioning extends to the rear.
Boot space is from 264 litres with four seats in operation to 515 litres with backs folded and 1104 litres of maximum volume. A space saver spare wheel lurks beneath the floor.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
The 1.2-litre Dualjet four-cylinder engine puts out peak power of 66 kW at 6000 rpm, while top torque is on tap at a low 1500 to 4000 revs, so it’s easy to see its advantages as a town car.
Suzuki claims the Ignis GLX uses 4.9 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres in combined city / highway cycle while putting out 114g of CO2. We managed an average of 5.6 L/100km during our test
INFOTAINMENT
Another area where the age of the Ignis show up is its very basic infotainment features. The centrally-mounted touchscreen is just seven inches in diameter and not particularly responsive.
It does have embedded satellite navigation, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and voice recognition and an audio system with six speakers.
SAFETY
One of the biggest drawbacks with the Ignis is its very limited range of safety equipment. It does come with six airbags, basic cruise control, enhanced ABS brakes, stability and traction control, hill-start assist, reversing camera and Isofix child seat anchors.
The important features that it doesn’t have include autonomous emergency braking and rear cross traffic alert. Unusually, it’s one of the few current new vehicles that doesn’t have parking sensors either front or rear although its size and shape together with excellent visibility does offset that to a certain extent.
DRIVING
Suzuki is a small car specialist so it doesn’t come as a major surprise that, despite its boxy body, Ignis is an impressive vehicle to drive. While the 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine produces just 66 kW and 120 Nm that’s balance out by a kerb weight of just 865 kg.
The combination of its tight dimensions, relatively high driving position, excellent all-round visibility and a skinny 9.4-metre turning circle make it just about the best urban vehicle on the Australian market.
The combination of 180 mm ground clearance and doors that open to almost 90 degrees provide excellent access to both front and rear seats.
That impressive ground clearance of 180 mm and generous approach and departure angles make it able for some minor adventures on and off road.
Harnessed through a new and improved engine, the Ignis is a willing drive under varying conditions as it balances power and fuel efficiency.
Our first check of fuel economy came as a shock when the number 16.8 appeared, however on further investigation that proved to be kilometres per litre rather than the usual litres per 100 kilometres. So, the bigger the number the better.
The test car recorded 6.1 and 4.5 respectively. With its 32-litre fuel tank, it should be able to travel more than 600 kilometres on a full tank.
A more rigid, yet lighter suspension smooths out shocks and enables more responsive and controlled handling. A new generation, stronger-but-lighter chassis provides a stable framework while reducing drag.
SUMMARY
Although its prices have risen quite sharply in recent years, at the mid $20k Ignis still offers good value for money.
We’ve referred to the lack of advanced active safety features and that’s sure to be a major deterrent for many potential buyers. However, for others who, like us, hate the persistent warnings, distractions and interventions that are increasingly being added to current vehicles.
So rather than spending a couple of minutes cancelling those that you don’t want you can hop into the Ignis, drive away and concentrate entirely on driving.
Like all Suzukis, the Ignis is covered by the maker’s five-year unlimited kilometre warranty.
RATINGS
Looks: 8/10
Performance: 7/10
Safety: 4/10
Thirst: 7/10
Practicality: 7/10
Comfort: 8/10
Tech: 5/10
Value: 8/10
AT A GLANCE
MODEL LINE-UP
Suzuki Ignis GL: $21,490 (manual), $22,490 (CVT)
Suzuki Ignis GLX: $24,490 (CVT)
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Suzuki dealer for drive-away prices.
SPECIFICATIONS (Suzuki Ignis GLX 1.2-litre petrol five-door wagon)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.242 litres
Configuration: Four cylinders inline
Maximum Power: 66 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 120 Nm @ 1500-4000 rpm
Fuel Type: Unleaded petrol 95RON
Combined Fuel Cycle (ADR 81/02): 4.9 L/100km
Emissions: 114g carbon dioxide per kilometre
DRIVELINE: Continuously variable automatic transmission, front-wheel drive
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 3700 mm
Wheelbase: 2435 mm
Width: 1660 mm
Height: 1595 mm
Turning Circle: 9.4 metres
Kerb Mass: 865 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 32 litres
BRAKES:
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Solid disc
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Five years / unlimited kilometres