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Whilst he hates to use the word, Damian O’carroll can only call the Ignis Zippy!

As the lines between traditional cars and SUVS continue to blur, we are going to see a lot more vehicles like the all-new Suzuki Ignis. Suzuki claim the Ignis is a “super compact SUV”, but looking at it you could be forgiven for wondering where where the “SUV” part of that statement is, as it does look rather remarkably like a small hatch back. Regardless of what you, or Suzuki, want to call the Ignis, however, it is a rather remarkably fun, funky and practical little car. The Ignis is available in New Zealand in FWD form only (overseas markets get AWD versions) and comes in three trim levels. All models are powered by Suzuki’s 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that pumps out 66kw of power and 120Nm of torque. The GLX kicks off the range and is available with a choice of either a manual ($18,990) or continuously variable transmission ($20,500). The GLX comes standard with 15-inch steel wheels, cruise control, electric windows, Bluetooth phone connectivity and audio streaming, manual air conditioning and a leather steering wheel with phone, audio and cruise controls. The LTD tops the range and is only available with the CVT. Priced at $22,500 ($22,990 with the optional two-tone paint) the LTD adds 16-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry and start, satellite navigation, a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple Carplay, climate control air conditioning, contrasting seat stitching, automatic light sensing LED headlights and daytime running lights and a reversing camera. The tiny Ignis packs a remarkable amount of standard equipment into what used to be a bare-bones budget segment, but without the expected jump in price. But perhaps its most impressive feature is its huge personality. Taking its styling cues from a couple of cars Suzuki prepared earlier (the Giugiaro-- designed Fronte Coupe from 1971 and its successor, the Cervo from 1979), the Ignis looks brilliantly fresh and instantly interesting. Add a range of flamboyant colours and you have a car that just looks happy. But it doesn’t matter how happy it is if it isn’t any good to drive – fortunately the Ignis lands a hit here too. Surprisingly comfortable for something so small (and roomy as well), the Ignis personifies a word that motoring journalists hate saying – “zippy”. The Ignis has an incredibly small turning circle and a responsive, revvy engine, making it effortless to weave through traffic in and an absolute dream to park in even the tightest space. It is extremely zippy… Fun, fresh, surprisingly roomy and practical, the Ignis is almost the perfect city car and it comes complete with oodles of character with it.