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Little Suzuki's enough to make a big Splash ; On paper, the Suzuki Splash makes all the right moves but has been a curiously slow seller to date,... [Sentinel, The (Stoke-on-Trent, England)](Sentinel, The (Stoke-on-Trent, England) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Little Suzuki's enough to make a big Splash ; On paper, the Suzuki Splash makes all the right moves but has been a curiously slow seller to date, overshadowed by its sportier Swift sibling. But it deserves your attention if you need something small, affordable, yet decently practical, writes Andy Enright HE big news, which will probably still be ignored by legions of British buyers, is that the Splash now gets the more powerful 93bhp 1.2-litre Dual VVT-i engine from the Swift. This replaces the old 85bhp unit and while the carrot of an additional eight horsepower may not be enough to overwhelm Suzuki dealers with hordes of braying punters, the engine is a more flexible unit that also features better economy and emissions. It's mated to five-speed manual gearboxes but there's the option of a four-speed automatic. Suzuki stress that the Hungarian-built Splash has been optimised for European driving conditions and while it does feel a good deal more Western than, say, an old Wagon R, one has to wonder at the cultural stereotyping in testing that took in southern Spanish dirt tracks, German autobahns and English cobbled streets. The Splash's ride is actually rather firm but the steering is light, the turning circle tight and all-round visibility is better than that of many of its rivals. While the 1.0-litre engine is all you'll need for city driving, the availability of the auto on the 1.2 we're looking at here may swing the decision for some. The Splash is a compact five-door supermini-MPV not too dissimilar to tots like the Renault Modus or the Peugeot 1007. Originally, the Splash followed the Swift, Grand Vitara and SX4 as the fourth model to be created under Suzuki's 'Way of Life!' design philosophy. This program's aim was to excite customers with a youthful vibrancy that previous small Suzukis had sorely lacked. The old Wagon R certainly had vibrancy but much of it was transmitted through the steering wheel. The Splash is a far more sophisticated thing and rides on a modified version of the Swift platform albeit with a 30mm shorter wheelbase. At just 3.72m long, it's easy to park and has proven well suited to the cut and thrust of our urban centres. The Suzuki Splash is a car that needs a more compelling hook. It does nothing poorly but needs just one area where it excels to attract significant custom. Right now I'm struggling to think of that attribute. It's a car that might well reward the buyer who puts some time and effort into research, someone who realises that discounts are available and that, along with robust residual values, the bottom line pence-per-mile figures will be satisfyingly low. As a supermini-MPV, the Splash barely puts a foot wrong. It's reasonable fun to drive, easy to get in and out of and data thus far suggests it's extremely reliable. It lacks the verve and wit of the best European rivals but if you can forgo a little personality you'll be rewarded with a car that's well thought through. 'Well Thought Through' may not be the tagline Suzuki needs to turn around the Splash's rather modest sales record, but for thoughtful drivers it could be just the ticket. Vital statistics Car: Suzuki Splash 1.2 range Prices: from Pounds 9,995-Pounds 11,430 Insurance group: 11 CO2 emissions: 119-133g/km Performance: 0-62 12.0s / top speed 109mph Fuel consumption: (combined) 55.4mpg Standard safety features: [1.2 SZ4] ESP stability control, ABS with EBA and EBD, six airbags Will it fit in your garage?: Length/Width/Height mm 3730/ 1680/1590 (c) 2011 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |