2017 Suzuki Ignis

So for under R160 000 you can get either an Ignis GL (advertised discount available at a few dealerships ) or Swift GA.
 
Long-term test: We welcome Suzuki's Ignis SUV

A small car that’s not just about being affordable and delivering sensibly low fuel consumption, but with a funky vibe that makes you look forward to driving it. That’s why we voted the Suzuki Ignis our overall winner in the 2017 Drive360 Awards.

Now the little crossover has come our way for an extended road test, and over the next six months we’ll dig deeper into what it’s like to live with Suzuki’s little SUV-wannabe. So far, a few weeks into our long-term evaluation, all is hunky dory in Ignis land.

Straight out of the box, with the normally aspirated 1.2-litre petrol engine still not run in properly, it’s running on the sniff of petrol fumes and averaging just 5.6 litres per 100km. We expect this fuel economy to improve as the engine loosens up with some mileage, and we also haven’t particularly spared the horses in applying the throttle.

At just 3.7 metres long the Ignis is a tiny thing (it’s dwarfed by a four metre Clio), but its cute and chunky styling includes SUV-like roof rails and black alloy wheels to give it some miniature macho, like a chihuahua in a flak jacket. I just wish those little 15 inch wheels would fill the arches better, without those gaps.

It’s surprisingly spacious inside for such a diminutive car. Four adults can fit inside the Ignis without their legs going getting squeezed into numbness, although the car’s narrowness will have them bumping elbows.

A big part of this car’s appeal is its funky intrior styling, which has two-tone black and white treatment on the dashboard and doors, while the inside door grips and the centre console panels are finished in bright hues - including red, blue and titanium - depending on the exterior colour.

The one unintended consequence of its small size is that, like a chihuahua, people don’t take the Ignis very seriously and some drivers bully it by cutting it off in traffic.

Their perception that small means slow is not entirely fair, however, as the 61kW/113Nm engine only has 850kg of car to lug around. This gives the flyweight Suzuki a fairly decent power-to-weight ratio that makes it scurry around town with the urgency of a small dog on a sugar high.

There’s also enough under the bonnet to stray outside of city limits, and the Ignis doesn’t feel desperately underpowered on the open road, where it will top out at 165km/h, according to Suzuki. A downshift is sometimes called for on steeper inclines, but the slick action of the five-speed manual makes this a simple task.

The car doesn’t succumb to the small-engine syndrome of becoming loud and buzzy, as if it’s being thrashed to within an inch of its life. Even at higher revs this ‘lil Suzuki stays composed and reasonably quiet. The car also feels quite solid despite seemingly weighing little more than an old Nokia 2110 cellphone.

This not-quite-SUV is sold in South Africa as a front wheel drive only (overseas there’s also an all-wheel drive version) but it sits a generous 180mm off the ground and wears 175/65R15 tyres which makes it very ramp-friendly. Bumpy gravel roads also present no problem for the Ignis, which delivers a fairly comfortable and not-too-choppy ride on the rough stuff.

The handling’s neat and nippy too and not overtly affected by the raised ride height. This is such a light car that it changes direction like a startled sardine, although the criticism here is that the electric power steering feels unnatural and doesn’t have enough of a self-centring action.

This higher-specced GLX model on test (the Ignis is also available as a more basic GL) ticks more boxes than you'd expect at this price point, including keyless starting and fully automatic climate control, rear parking sensors and a height-adjustable driver’s seat, while the radio/CD system is a six-speaker system with Bluetooth connectivity and control buttons on the steering wheel.

That’s in addition to front and rear electric windows, a trip computer, and keyless entry. The peace of mind in both models comprises dual front airbags and ABS brakes.

Spending extra money gets you an optional colour touch-screen display which can be linked to iOS and Android smartphones, and allows access to apps such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s also an SD card slot for map data which enables on-board, real-time navigation.

The standard audio deck fitted to our test car is a more old-school button-operated system with a monochrome display, but we really like it because it’s child’s play to use.

Boot space isn’t this Suzuki’s strong point at just 260 litres, but it does contain a full-size spare wheel instead of a dreaded marie biscuit. And, with the rear seats folded, I was able to squeeze a 29 inch mountain bike in there by ****ing the front passenger seat far forward.

The Ignis is sold with a three-year/ 100 000km warranty and a two-year/30 000km service plan.

VERDICT

A comprehensively-specced small car with plenty of charm. The macho-cute styling and general funky vibe elevate Suzuki’s little Ignis above the ranks of the average budget car, and at a pretty competitive price too.

https://www.iol.co.za/motoring/road-tests/long-term-test-we-welcome-suzukis-ignis-suv-16366279

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We bought our daughter one in Feb this year, an auto (AMT) with the same colour as above. It is a great little car, I am allowed to drive it sometimes when I have to take her to parties.

In terms of speed it is OK-ish, I have nothing to compare against really. However, it does not take only 4.0 seconds to 100 km/h as indicated above. If it did they would sell thousands per month, and not just 200 or so.
 
We bought our daughter one in Feb this year...snip.. I am allowed to drive it sometimes when I have to take her to parties.


If I paid 200k for a car for my kid.. I will d@mn well drive it whenever I want :D
 
Long-term update: Suzuki's good-value Ignis GLX

Small Japanese cars are, for me, the best when it comes to everyday motoring.

I base my opinion on my uncle’s Daihatsu Charade, a car that never skipped a beat in more than 15 years of ownership. That car was loaded to the brim for family functions and it would even double-up as a workhorse for his carpentry business when his bakkie was being used to service other sites.

My dad on the other hand loved small European cars. He has had his fair share of Fiats and Opels (and yes, they leaked oil, eventually), but nowadays he prefers the blue oval, driving a Ford Fiesta as his daily.

When I think back to the small cars in our family over the past 20 years (Conquests, 323s, Unos and Laser Tracers), it is the Japanese cars that stand out, soldiering on the hardest, refusing to leak oil or eat their own clutches or melt their own electronics.

My own Daihatsu YRV Turbo and my Yaris 1.8TS (both heavily modified) also just kept on going and going and going, like proverbial Duracell bunnies before I sold them for a dad-mobile.

But, this feature is not about my cars (or my elders’ cars), it is about the Suzuki Ignis 1.2 GLX that Suzuki Auto South Africa has given us to evaluate over a period of six months. The reason I mention the Japanese cars that stand out in my life experience is because the Suzuki Ignis now ranks amongst the best in small-Japanese motoring from my perspective.

Styled with no intent of being the best-looking car in its class, the Ignis in high-spec GLX grade is actually quite interesting to stare at. Short and stumpy, with enough ride height to keep the undercarriage safe during off-road expeditions, the Ignis looks more SUV than hatchback. I like its styling but some of my friends and family keep asking if I left the boot behind somewhere.

I do not mind the jokes because the Ignis’ boot is intact, and in fact it is able to swallow 260 litres of luggage. We’ve even fitted an adult-frame mountain bike in the thing and with the rear seats folded, you will be able to pack at least 947 litres of goods behind the driver and front passenger.

I have spent a few weeks in the Ignis now and each time I get to drive it, I am actually excited about it. I love the fact that it is nimble enough to scoot into the smallest of gaps (very handy when driving in town) and that visibility from the driver’s seat is unhindered by intrusive A, B and C pillars.

It is an easy car to drive, and new drivers will instantly feel at ease in its raised seating position. It also helps that the car is fitted with (as standard) LED headlights, as this feature makes night driving blissful in the small car.

On the subject of driving, this has to be one of the Ignis’ ultimate draw-cards, which is why you have to drive it to appreciate its swiftness, pardon the pun.

Its 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine is remarkably eager to rev and its torque pick-up is confidence-inspiring in that you never feel wanting for more power in the car when overtaking (as long as you select the correct gear for your road speed).

Suzuki claims that the engine produces a mere 61kW and 113Nm, but when driving the car it feels almost as spirited as a ‘100HP’ car. I say a 100HP car because only one other small normally-aspirated car is as fun to drive for me; the old Fiat Panda 100HP. Sure, the Ignis doesn’t handle like the Panda, but it has the guts to give newer litre-class turbo cars a go for sure.

Beyond its ride, handling and performance, though, I’m really enjoying the frugal nature of the car when it comes to fuel consumption. I’ve been averaging around 5.5 litres per 100km in a combined cycle; a mix of M1 highway (in Johannesburg) and city traffic mostly. The Ignis cruises comfortably at highway speed and it is not revving at an ungodly 4000rpm to maintain 120km/h like most of these normally aspirated compact cars do these days.

I do however find the steering system on the car to be rather odd in that it refuses to return to the centre position after turning around a bend or corner at lower speeds.

For example, if I’m in a parking lot, I can basically set the steering wheel to a slightly left of right position and the car will continue to move in that direction even if I let go of the steering wheel. In some instances it can get really annoying, as I need to yank the steering wheel back into the centre position to ensure the car tracks true. Apparently this trait is not common in the all-wheel drive version of the Ignis, but we don’t get that car here so this steering issue should be looked into by Suzuki’s engineers.

VERDICT

Steering oddness aside, the Ignis is a great daily commuter. Light on petrol, easy to place, park and turn, and exceptional at attracting attention. It is a really well appointed model that can serve your needs well if you’re just starting out in a car of your own, or if you are looking for a second car to use to work and back.

If I were in need of a compact car to commute in, the Ignis would be number one on my list thanks to its value-oriented pricing versus packaging.

https://www.iol.co.za/motoring/road-tests/long-term-update-suzukis-good-value-ignis-glx-17033133

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Long-term test: 6 months with the Suzuki Ignis

Much like an unexpected splash of colour in an old black-and-white film, the Suzuki Ignis brings some much needed attitude and charm to the penny-pinching end of the car market and after living with one for the last six months, its sheen has not faded in our minds.
What really stands out for me is how it marries form and function.

Unlike many ‘charm’ cars, the Ignis is actually brilliantly packaged. It’s really small and light - tipping the scales at just 850kg - and yet it’s so big inside. There’s acres of rear legroom, so those in the back can really stretch out, but bear in mind that it is a narrow car so you might not want to shove three abreast and even in the front, larger occupants will end up rubbing elbows at times. The boot too, is big for the car’s size, although its 260 litre volume is only average for the class, but it met our needs just fine and the split folding rear seat function came in handy for larger loads.

As I mentioned, the Ignis is an automotive featherweight, and that means it doesn’t need a huge, powerful engine to chug it around.

Under its pert little clamshell shaped hood you’ll find Suzuki’s familiar normally aspirated 1.2-litre petrol unit, rated at 61kW and 113Nm. It’s a smooth-revving motor with decent low-down torque and it’s more than strong enough to tackle town life at a brisk pace. It cruises quite happily on the freeway too, although it’s not completely effortless as you will have to gear down a bit when tackling hills at altitude, and occasionally move over for faster vehicles, but overall performance is still impressive at the price point.

Did I tell you that it’s amazingly economical? We averaged 5.8 litres per 100km over the test period, and most of that was city driving. Enough said!

What’s more, the Ignis provides a reasonably comfortable ride and it’s easy to drive and park. There were two driving experience niggles however - the steering doesn’t self-centre sufficiently, so you constantly have to correct it upon exit, and the clutch felt a little spongy - but neither of those would be deal breakers for us.

Ignatius is also packed with features, including some you don’t expect at this level like climate control and push-button start, but you do have to pay extra if you want a touchscreen.

At R196 900, it’s an enticing blend of funky SUV-inspired looks - inside and out nogal - as well as practicality, economy and all that pragmatic stuff.

Iggy, we gonna miss ya.

https://www.iol.co.za/motoring/industry-news/long-term-test-6-months-with-the-suzuki-ignis-18890251

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Suzuki SA upgrades Ignis and Baleno's infotainment

Suzuki Auto South Africa has upgraded the infotainment systems on the flagship GLX versions of its Ignis and Baleno, with the latest-generation Smartphone Linkage Display Audio (SLDA) arrangement offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.

The upgraded seven-inch touchscreen-based system is now standard equipment on the GLX models, and can be controlled via voice command, steering wheel-mounted buttons or the screen itself.

This larger display also functions as the monitor for the reversing camera, which is now standard on GLX models in the Ignis and Baleno ranges.

Suzuki Auto SA says it has also included the MirrorLink system to allow users of other smartphone makes to mirror their home screens on the display as well. Of course, the SLDA system also features Bluetooth connectivity and comes with an additional SD card slot, too.

https://www.carmag.co.za/news/suzuki-sa-upgrades-ignis-and-balenos-infotainment/

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Suzuki Baleno, Ignis GLX Gain New Infotainment System

Suzuki has introduced a new infotainment system for the range-topping Baleno hatchback and Ignis GLX crossover derivatives.

Buyers who are considering the Suzuki Baleno hatchback and Ignis crossover will be pleased to know that the top-spec GLX derivatives are now equipped with Suzuki’s latest Smartphone Linkage Display Audio (SLDA) system with a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen.

The system incorporates Apple CarPlayAndroid Auto and MirrorLink functionality while also offering Bluetooth, voice commands and steering wheel mounted controls. The larger screen also serves as a reverse monitor as a reversing camera is fitted as standard on the Baleno GLX and Ignis GLX.

The Baleno GLX is powered by a naturally-aspirated 1.4-litre petrol engine with 68 kW and 130 Nm and is mated to either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. Pricing for the Baleno GLX starts at R330 900 for the manual and R254 900 for the automatic derivative.

As for the Ignis GLX, it makes use of a 1.2-litre petrol engine with 61 kW and 113 Nm and is also offered with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. The Ignis is priced from R196 900 for the manual and R211 900 for the automatic.

https://www.cars.co.za/motoring_news/suzuki-baleno-ignis-glx-gain-new-infotainment-system/46468/
 
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