2017 Suzuki Ignis GLX Quick Review

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.

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.

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.