MOTORING NEWS - Suzuki has introduced its Ignis budget crossover to the local market. It's a decidedly funky newcomer from a brand renowned for practically-minded and reliable (read: unspectacular) products. We took it for a quick drive in the Western Cape to see if it's that big of a departure from the norm.
Very few can justifiably lambaste Suzuki's cars. I can’t recall in my lifetime (as short as it is) a Suzuki that was disappointing. Functional, economical and reliable are the words I would use to describe the likes of the Vitara and the recent Baleno.
The thing about functionality is that it often gets traded for personality. For example, the Baleno is not the most quirky hatchback on the market, but it resonates more with mature buyers than the charming Swift. This isn't a bad thing, obviously, but is "neat" and "predictable" what most consumers want?
Not always, they can be lured and seduced by novelty, bright colours, fancy lights and trick infotainment systems. Therefore, the boldness of the new Ignis' design and packaging is encouraging to see...
Getting a feel for the Ignis' exterior execution requires more than one perusal; your mind is likely to take a while to make sense of the car's front end with the headlamps embedded in the grille. The side profile is a combination of curves and “boxiness” while the rear is strangely narrow. As a whole, it’s striking and quite controversial, which is why I personally quite like it. Some say it’s ugly, others say it looks fantastic, but everyone has an opinion on it.
Inside is a glimpse of everyday Suzuki functionality, but again it’s met with quirkiness: the HVAC console is capsule-shaped and there are splashes of colour on the door panels. Another surprise is the more-than-useful interior space, something you wouldn’t have guessed from the outside.
