Western News: March 14, 2024

8
Thursday March 14 2024
Tiny SUV packed with pep and personality
ALONG WITH the new
generation Jimny and the Ignis
are the funky, fun and affordable
members of the otherwise staid
Suzuki NZ model line-up.
They are the smallest new
SUVs sold but have giant sized
personalities. Alongside the
popular Swift hatch, they are
driving the brand’s continuing
strong sales growth.
With a unique design and
trendy, yet slightly retro,
appearance, the Ignis made a
triumphant return in 2016 after
a long absence, having an almost
immediate and positive impact.
Distinctive SUV looks, a
roomy cabin, plus sharp pricing,
meant it ticked a lot of boxes for
those on a budget.
Motoring with Bob Nettleton
The Ignis gets runs on the
board right away with its cute
front end, chunky wheel arches
and eye catching angled roofline.
I like how the styling touches
pay homage to previous Suzuki
models from the mists of time.
These include the “C” pillar
slits from the 1970s Giugiarodesigned
Fronte coupe, while the
clamshell-shaped bonnet and
guard garnish are a nod to the
original 1988 Vitara SUV.
The three-strong model lineup
leads off the $22,990 GLX
manual with a $1500 premium
for the automatic. The higher
spec LTD reviewed here is only
available as an automatic sells for
$26,500.
A 1.2 litre 4-cylinder, 16-valve
Ratings out of 10: Performance 6 Handling 7; Build Quality
7; Comfort 6; Passenger and Load Space 6; Styling 7; Value
for money 7; Safety – No ANCAP crash rating.
Overall points out of 10: 7
Incorporating
best motorbuys
www.drivesouth.co.nz
double overhead camshaft engine
is common across all three
models. This multi-point fuel
injected power plant has variable
valve timing technology and
produces 66kW and 120Nm of
torque at 4400rpm.
Dualjet engine technology
engine reduces emissions. It does
this brilliantly, with the manual
producing just 107 grams per
litre of CO2, and the automatic
slightly more at 114 grams per
litre. These figures better several
hybrids costing considerably
more than the humble Ignis.
While these aren’t the
ingredients for fire breathing
performance, the engine
has sufficient flexibility and
responsiveness to satisfy most
owners without sending their
pulses racing.
Acceleration is lively and the
motor shows far more tenacity
than its modest capacity would
suggest. However, at higher revs
it does become coarse and lumpy.
The automatic in the test car
proved smooth and efficient in
lower speed urban driving. At
open road pace it’s less agreeable,
proving slow to kick down under
hard acceleration when you need
that extra burst of power.
The cabin is modern, inviting
and offers a decent amount of
space for a diminutive hatch.
There is plenty of head and leg
room for both front and rear
occupants, while good ground
clearance makes it easy to enter
and leave.
The LTD is well appointed
with cruise control, power
steering, electric windows and
electric mirrors. A computer
displays fuel consumption, sixspeaker
audio system, Bluetooth
audio-streaming and hands-free
calling.
Playful and surprisingly
composed road holding are
a good fit with the vehicle’s
effervescent personality.
However, being taller and
narrower than other cars in
this class, body lean enters the
handling frame sooner when
nudging things along through
tight corners or over undulating
terrain. This only becomes worse
if you continue to unreasonably
push the vehicles handling
limits. A plus for urbanites is
the vehicle’s excellent turn-ona-dime
4.7 metre turning circle,
that makes light work of U-turns
in narrow streets.
Finance
available
(conditions apply)
CARS WANTED
– CASH PAID
We buy small
Japanese vehicles
- Must be tidy
LOW KMS
2011 mAZDA AxeLA
$7,995
1500cc, auto, 184,500kms.
2010 miTSuBiSHi RVR
$10,995
1800cc, auto, 2WD, 128,000kms.
2009 TOyOTA iPSum 7 SeATeR
$8,995
2.4, auto, alloys, 81,000kms.
2014 TOyOTA cOROLLA Gx HATcH 1.8
NOw $11,995
Auto, NZ new, 176,000kms.
SOLD
SOLD
2012 NiSSAN TiiDA LATiO 4 DOOR
$5,995
1.5 auto, 131,000kms, new WOF, drives well.
2009 NiSSAN NOTe 5/HATcH 1.5
$5,995
Auto, 128,000kms.
2006 miSuBiSHi cOLT PLuS
$5,695
1.5 Auto, 154,000kms, roomy hatch
2007 HONDA JAZZ SPORT
$6,995
1.5 auto, 114,000kms, ARRIVING
2012 NiSSAN TiiDA 5/HATcH
$6,995
1.5 auto, 134,000kms.
REDUCED
2012 HyuNDAi i30 S/w
$8,995
NZ new, 1600cc, auto, 133,000kms, alloys.
2015 TOyOTA yARiS 5/HATcH
wAS $12,495 NOw $10,995
1.3L, auto, NZ new, low 56,000kms.
2012 HyuNDAi i30 5/HATcH
$7,995
1.6L, auto, 173,000kms, alloys.
2014 TOyOTA AVeNSiS S/w
$9,995
2.OL, auto, alloys, multi air bags, 157000kms
2007 TOyOTA RAV 5 DOOR
$9,995
Auto, 2WD, 108,000kms, alloys
- 281 Ferry Road - 03 389 1121 - dougdrake@xtra.co.nz www.dougdrake.co.nz