Suzuki’s compact-crossover is here.
Suzuki Australia has pulled the wraps off of its smallest pseudo off-road offering, the Ignis. Although it’s offered only in two-wheel drive and will likely have none of the off-road chops the Jimny has, it hasn’t stopped Suzuki from being very boastful of its kind-off off-road image.
The new Ignis bears a design that is “inspired by its relatives.” And it’s not an overstatement: Blacked out A & B pillars (previous generation Swift), clamshell bonnet (first-gen Vitara), grille-headlamp design (first-gen Cervo), and C-pillar slats (from the Fronte Coupe). This is a Suzuki greatest-hits tribute of sorts. Despite this, the Ignis looks distinctively unique, and it’s the better for it. The Ignis also rides high, with 180mm of ground clearance. This, paired with its impressive approach and departure angles, means that there’s “no need to leave any road unexplored.”
For all intents and purposes, this is still a hatchback. And being a hatchback, individuality is important. As such, Suzuki is offering the Ignis with a variety of personalisation options. There are colour finishing options for the door mirrors, the headlamp surrounds, the grille garnishes, the fog lamp bezels, and it even offers wheel decals (for both the 15-inch steel wheels and the 16-inch black items). Inside, you can change the trim colours of the centre gear console, the interior trims, and the door handles. Speaking of that interior, the two-tone black-white colour scheme works surprisingly well. Its modern ambiance is aided by a ‘floating’ touchscreen infotainment system, which comes as standard.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto feature here, as well as satellite navigation. The only real difference in way of interior niceties between the trim levels is the inclusion of power windows, keyless start, digital climate control, privacy glass, and reclining rear seats on the GLX range-topper. Cruise control, stability control, ABS, EBD, and Brake Assist are all standard fare here, as is a reversing camera. Automatic projector headlamps with LED daytime running lights are also a reserve of the GLX.
There is only one engine on offer, that being a 1.2-litre turbocharged DualJet engine, good for 66kW of power and 120Nm of torque. Going through a manual gearbox or a CVT automatic, the Ignis is quite peppy on the road, due largely to its 820kg rated weight. Claimed fuel consumption is a frugal 4.7l/100km (with the manual), though we advise potential buyers to take that figure with a pinch of salt.
The entry level GL now starts at $15,990 for the manual, rising to $16,990 for an automatic. A significant jump is needed to reach the GLX, which retails at $18,990. We expect the automatic Ignis GL to be the volume seller, but the sharp looks of the GLX will be difficult to resist. All stated prices are accurate at the time of writing, and exclude various on-road costs.
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