WhichCar

2017 Suzuki Ignis GLX Quick Review

The cheapest and smallest SUV on the market punches above its weight

2017 Suzuki Ignis Driving Front Side Jpg
Gallery3

Tell me about this car

The latest model Suzuki Ignis stands on tippy-toes high enough to be considered an SUV while feeling nimble like a city car. The base model manual is priced at $15,990, which is what its predecessor cost in 2005. For an extra $3000, the GLX comes with a heap of extra kit including with CVT automatic transmission, dusk-sensing LED headlamps, daytime running lights and keyless start.

Strengths

  • The price: At $18,990, even the top-spec GLX is cheaper than similarly equipped competitors costing well above $20,000.

  • Interior styling: The bold two-tone black and white interior can be custom enhanced with a choice of accent colours for the gear console, door handles, vents and cloth trim.
  • Exterior styling: The side view is an acquired taste but you can’t help warming to its mini-ruggedness. Front-end styling is rather elegant and there’s an option to add custom accent colours to headlight and grill surrounds and wing mirrors.
2017 Suzuki Ignis
3
  • Ride and handling: Despite being narrow and tall the Ignis doesn’t display excessive body roll. The suspension is firm but not at all harsh and feels like a bigger car, and it has a very tight, 4.7-metre turn radius.

  • Parking: The short 3700mm length, low rear overhang and narrow 1660mm width makes the Ignis extremely simple to parallel park in even the tightest spots.

  • Features: The entry level Ignis GL comes with cruise control, 7-inch display screen, reverse camera, voice control, satellite navigation and Apple Carplay/Android Auto as standard. On top of that the GLX has steering wheel audio controls, 16-inch alloys, daytime running lights, dusk-sensing LED headlamps, climate control air-conditioning, tinted glass and keyless entry and start.
  • Space: The GLX back seats divide 50:50 and slide back and forth separately. You can adjust the backrest angle to increase the 264-litre boot capacity. Fold the seats all the way down and capacity is a substantial 1104-litres. The rear accommodates two adults with good leg and headroom. Its four-seat capacity isn’t really a disadvantage when you consider the middle seats in most small cars are token at best.

  • Economy: The fuel economy is excellent. I averaged about 5.6-litres/100km with a heap of city driving and a couple of high-revving trips on country freeways.
2017 Suzuki Ignis
3

Weaknesses

  • The GLX doesn’t come with a manual gearbox option.

  • The CVT is fine around town but with just a 1.2-litre engine it revs like crazy on freeways when confronted with hills or high winds.
  • Its SUV classification is notional. Its practicality should be viewed against light cars where it holds up pretty well.

  • The centre console doesn’t have an arm rest

  • Inadequate cabin storage space.

Are there any rivals I should consider?

SUV rivals include the Ford Ecosport, Holden Trax, Mazda CX-3, Honda HR-V and Mitsubishi ASX. It’s also worth comparing with light cars such as the Honda Jazz, Holden Spark, Ford Fiesta and Toyota Yaris.

David Bonnici
Contributor

COMMENTS

Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.