The third edition of the Suzuki Ignis, which was initially built in two generations from 2016 to the end of 2000 and then had to pause, has been back on the German market since 2007. Last year, the Japanese gave what is currently the smallest SUV with all-wheel drive on the German market an extensive facelift. AUTOHUB has tested how the just 3,70-meter-short high-legged vehicle with its new design and new drive train proves itself in everyday life.
Suzuki is not allowed to do that, but we: ennoble the Ignis with an advertising slogan classic from the 80s. The conclusion after two weeks of extensive test drives: Not that, but a great box, this little Japanese. The bottom line is that the test car as an Allgrip Hybrid in unmistakable Blue Metallic and the top Comfort + equipment costs 19.510 euros in this country. This means that the small Suzuki is not exactly the cheap car that the Fiat Panda once made, but it is a small car with a modern drive system and a handsome equipment and safety package - including all-wheel drive.
More like a pit bull than a pinscher
The beauty cure has visibly done the Ignis good. The refreshments on the front are clearly visible, where not only the LED daytime running lights now shine in a U-shape, but also four similarly designed chrome elements adorn the radiator grille. All in all, it makes a good impression. Overall, the Ignis, with its clearly exposed wheel arches and the comparatively large 16-inch wheels, looks more like a pit bull than a pinscher. The facelift also has a second side that not only affects the surface, but also goes deeper. On the drive side, too, the adjusting screws have been readjusted in Japan, which the addition of hybrid on the rear shows.
A 12 volt battery should provide thrust
With the reference to hybrid, cars - SUVs anyway - can currently be sold well, although the label is actually not very meaningful. With the Ignis, the added thrust and / or efficiency achieved with electrification turns out to be marginally small. This requires the lithium-ion battery with 12 volts, which collects electricity via a belt starter generator whenever the Ignis is rolling without engine power. A small battery symbol in the speedometer indicates this energy generation phase. Something is always visible from the delivery phase via the information field in the dashboard display, but you can't really feel it.
Certain inertia in the lower speed range
Which brings us to the weak side of the Suzuki. Its 1,2-liter four-cylinder engine delivers just 6.000 hp at 83 revolutions per minute, although the naturally aspirated engine, unlike direct-injection engines, has a certain inertia in the lower speed range. In practice this paralyzes progress with the Ignis. Especially when things are going to be faster. In the city and up to around 80 km / h this is not as noticeable as afterwards. Beyond the 100km / h mark, the background noise is strained and the air thin, as is the way to get there with the word “sprint”, which is very exaggerated.
