Suzuki’s family budget-beater
NEW CIAZ: REAL-WORLD CAR FOR REAL-WORLD PEOPLE
Reasonably priced, light on fuel, cheap to maintain and has space for the family.
Abig part of our job involves driving and road testing the best vehicles money can buy, but the sad reality is that many South Africans can only dream of owning or even driving cars like this. Closer to the truth is the fact that many people work long hours each and every day just to put a roof over their head.
So when it comes to choosing a car, these people have to think very carefully about what they want from their vehicle. It has to be reasonably priced, light on fuel, cheap to maintain and have space for the whole family.
And here Suzuki has a solution in their new Ciaz, a car that not only meets all these criteria in my opinion but also allows Suzuki to compete in the popular compact sedan segment for the first time against the likes of Honda’s Ballade, Chevrolet’s Cruze and Toyota’s Corolla Quest. We will be using a Suzuki Ciaz for the next few weeks as a short term test car and we will bring you our thoughts and experiences of this time at the beginning of June.
Suzuki says the Ciaz is generously proportioned, with an extended wheelbase and wide tracks front and rear resulting in stable road manners, refined handling, and a spacious interior with ample room for front and rear occupants. The cabin easily accommodates five adults in stylish comfort, while the boot has a massive cargo capacity of 495 litres.
Offered in a choice of two specification levels – GL and GLX – the Ciaz is comprehensively equipped. Even the more affordable GL benefits from extensive comfort and convenience features.
These include comprehensive instrumentation, a digital multifunction trip computer, electric windows front and rear, and electrically adjustable exterior mirrors with integrated turn indicators. Also on the list are remote central locking, a multifunction steering wheel, automatic climate-control air-conditioning with rear vents, and a six-speaker audio system with CD player and integrated Bluetooth.
Powering the Suzuki Ciaz is the latest, updated version of Suzuki’s proven K14B four-cylinder engine. Featuring 16 valves, multipoint fuel injection and variable valve timing, the 1 373cc unit combines eager power delivery with fuel-saving efficiency.
Maximum power output is 70kW at 6 000rpm, coupled to a torque peak of 130Nm at 4 000rpm. The engine delivers its output to the front wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox, but a four-speed automatic transmission is an added cost option on the GLX model.
Combined cycle fuel consumption is claimed to be between 5.4 and 5.5 litres per 100km, depending on the model, with CO2 emissions levels of 125 and 131 g/km respectively. Those figures suggest a typical operating range of more than 700 km from the 43 litre fuel tank.
The chassis and suspension of the Ciaz have been configured for precise, confident handling and refined ride quality. The suspension layout consists of MacPherson struts with an anti-roll bar up front, and a torsion beam at the rear. Electric power steering is standard.
Safety is comprehensively addressed in both active and passive terms. ABS anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution (EBD) and emergency braking assistance (EBA) are standard, as are dual front airbags, inertia reel seatbelts front and rear, and integrated alarm/immobiliser and childproof rear door locks.
“The advent of the Suzuki Ciaz represents the next step in our strategy to increase the Suzuki brand’s market share in South Africa by expanding our model offering,” says Yukio Sato, managing director of Suzuki Auto SA.
“We have already achieved record sales by adding newcomers such as the Swift 1.2, the Ertiga and the Splash to our model lineup, while the new-generation SX4 and the recently released Celerio are proof of our commitment to bringing Suzuki’s latest models to SA.”