Suzuki Ignis has everything and more
It proved a surprise and a delight to many and yes, eventually found itself in the final top 10 for the Wesbank COTY awards.
The Suzuki Ignis is a small crossover with a big heart and brought a breath of fresh air and innovation to the local small car market.
Powered by the well-known K12M 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine already familiar from current Suzuki models such as the Swift 1.2, the Ignis benefits from a lightweight 850kg kerb mass to achieve sprightly performance, with impressive fuel economy.
Offered in GL and range-topping GLX versions, the Ignis features a modern, surprisingly spacious and well-equipped interior. Despite its compact size, there is no shortage of legroom or headroom, while the luggage compartment offers 260 litres of cargo space, expandable to 469 litres with the rear seatback folded flat.
Standard items across all models include electric windows, remote central locking, air conditioning, electric power steering, and an MP3-compatible CD sound system with USB port and 12V accessory power socket. Safety is equally comprehensively addressed via dual front airbags, ABS anti-lock brakes, side impact protection beams, Isofix child seat anchors and childproof rear door locks.
The new Suzuki Ignis is an ultracompact crossover that combines the dynamic benefits of a wieldy lightweight hatchback with the stance and clearance of an all-terrainer. With short overhangs, relatively long wheelbase, high roofline and raised ride height create a vehicle that’s highly manoeuvrable on and off the road, while offering the elevated seating and enhanced visibility more typical of an SUV.
The bold, almost square headlights, with their striking daytime running lights, frame a narrow, aggressive grille, while the deep, integrated front bumper is home to large air intakes, as well as front fog lamps on GLX models.
Interior
The clean, uncluttered approach adopted for the exterior design of the Ignis is also applied to the cabin, which looks and feels much roomier than the Suzuki’s outside dimensions suggest.
It’s a contemporary space, with the two-tone black and white treatment creating a youthful, modern ambience. The top half of the dashboard is finished in a smart black, while the lower sections are clad in contrasting white. The same contrasting black/white finish is employed for the door panels.
A CD receiver with FM/AM tuner is mounted in the centre of the dash, while the air-conditioning controls are grouped together and mounted in the centre stack. The inside door grips and the centre console panels are finished in bright colours – including red, blue and titanium – depending on the exterior colour. The centre console features the same slit-like design element featured on the car’s C-pillars.
The instrument binnacle is framed by a tilt-adjustable steering wheel, which is equipped with multifunction controls for the sound system and Bluetooth telephony in the case of the GLX model.
Safety and security
The new Ignis lives up to Suzuki’s high safety standard, thanks to a combination of innovative construction, and an extensive list of active and passive safety features.
The active and passive measures include dual SRS airbags in front, door-mounted side impact protection beams, and three-point inertia reel seatbelts front and rear. IsoFix child seat anchors and childproof rear door latches are included, too. The Ignis is fitted with ABS anti-lock brakes, incorporating electronic brake distribution and electronic braking assistance. A security alarm and immobiliser is another standard feature across all models.
Drivetrain and suspension
In the case of the Ignis, the normally aspirated, 1 197cc motor benefits from the crossover’s low kerb mass. With only 850kg to propel, the engine’s maximum power output of 61kW and 113Nm.
The Ignis employs a rack-and-pinion steering system with electric power assistance. The manual-transmission model accelerates from 0-100km/h in 11,6 sec, while top speed is 165km/h. Fitted with the automated manual transmission, the Ignis gets to 100km/h from rest in 13 sec, while top speed is 155km/h.
The fuel-injected K12M engine is an economy star, allowing the Ignis to achieve an impressive combined cycle fuel consumption figure of 5,1 litres/100km in the case of manual gearbox models, and an even more frugal 4,9 litres/100km for the automated manual model.
