Suzuki Ignis SUV (2017 -) Review

The Suzuki Ignis is back, but this time it’s a fashion-following city car-sized SUV rather than a simple small hatchback, complete with a range of colour-customisation options to personalise it to your tastes.

Its competition isn’t easy to identify, simply because there aren’t many cars around that follow this formula. Suzuki claims cars like the Fiat 500L Trekking, MINI hatchback and Vauxhall Adam Rocks are in the firing line, but we suspect it’s more likely to tempt buyers from cars such as the Toyota Aygo, Skoda Citigo and Hyundai i10 instead, as well as more practical smaller cars like the Nissan Note and Honda Jazz.

Cabin for four

A tall car considering its dimensions, the Ignis has loads of headroom so four adults will be able to travel together in relative comfort.

The vast majority will come with rear seats that slide backwards and forwards as well as reclining in two positions, which adds flexibility when you don’t need as much boot space but want to carry more passengers.

Its boot isn’t huge, but is large enough for a few weekend bags or the weekly shopping.

One engine option

Under the bonnet of all Ignises is a 1.2-litre petrol engine that offers impressively low running costs in all of its applications, which include offering the option of an automatic gearbox, four-wheel drive and even something called SHVS (explained in the Performance section) which aims to lower running costs and improve performance at the same time.

Is the Ignis good to drive?

Based on the same lightweight platform as the firm’s slightly larger Baleno, this little SUV is nimble and highly manoeuvrable in the city, which is where it’s most at home.

We found some versions more comfortable than others, however, so pick yours carefully. Find out more in the Comfort section.

Low-cost motoring

Thanks to the efficient engine, light underpinnings and a host of safety systems, the Ignis should be very cheap to run. We’ve yet to see insurance groupings but strongly suspect they’ll be very low indeed, which will appeal to new drivers as well as those looking to downsize to save money.

Unfortunately, you’ll need to plump for the highest-spec Ignis if you want the car to perform well in the event of an accident. Euro NCAP gave the SZ5 five stars, but all other versions score just three.

To find out everything you need to know about this quirky-looking SUV, read on for the full Suzuki Ignis review.