Review: Suzuki MF Ignis (2017-on)

Overview

Released in Australia in January 2017, the Suzuki Ignis is a light, five-door hatchback. Manufactured in Sagara, Japan, the front-wheel drive Suzuki Ignis is powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine that is mated to either a five-speed manual or continuously variable transmission (CVT). Furthermore, the Suzuki Ignis range consists of five-seat GL variants and four-seat GLX variants.

Suzuki Ignis: K12C engine

The MF Ignis is powered by Suzuki’s 1242 cc K12C ‘DualJet’ engine which is understood to have an aluminium alloy block and cylinder head, dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, both port injection and direct injection (Suzuki’s ‘Dual Jet’), and a compression ratio of 12.5:1.

Body and dimensions

The Suzuki Ignis is 3700 mm long, 1660 mm wide, 1595 mm tall and has a 2435 mm long wheelbase. While four seat versions of the Suzuki Ignis have separate rear seats that can slide forward, five seat versions have a fixed rear bench seat. Furthermore, the Ignis has a luggage capacity of 267 litres which increases to 1100 litres when the rear seats are folded.

For Australia, the Suzuki Ignis GL with manual transmission has an unladen weight of 830 kg.

Suspension and steering

The Suzuki Ignis has MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear axle, both with coil springs. Furthermore, the Ignis has rack-and-pinion steering with electric power assistance; its turning circle is 9.4 metres.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Suzuki Ignis includes dual front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters.

Brakes

The Suzuki Ignis has 231 mm by 17 mm ventilated front brake discs and 180 mm by 34 mm rear drum brakes.

Euro NCAP testing

Euro NCAP conducted testing on the Suzuki Ignis in its standard and ‘Safety Pack’-equipped forms. The standard Suzuki Ignis received a three star safety rating which included 79 per cent adult occupant and child occupant protection ratings. In the offset test, protection of the driver’s head, thighs and feet were rated as good, but chest protection was rated as weak and lower leg protection as marginal. While maximum points were awarded in the side impact test, chest protection was rated as adequate in the more severe pole test.

For Europe, the Safety Pack included a dual camera brake support system that provided autonomous emergency braking (AEB). With the Safety Pack, the adult occupant protection rating increased to 87 per cent (due to a three point bonus for the AEB system), the Pedestrian safety rating increased to 77 per cent (from 67 per cent) and the Safety Assist rating increased to 60 per cent (from 25 per cent). As a result, the Suzuki Ignis with Safety Pack received a five star safety rating.

Features: Suzuki Ignis GL

Standard features for the Suzuki Ignis GL include 15-inch x 5.0J steel wheels with 175/65 R15 tyres, a four speaker sound system with MP3/WMA compatibility and iPod/USB connectivity, a satellite navigation system with a seven-inch colour display and reversing camera, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility, air conditioning, cruise control with spteed limiter, halogen headlights, front fog lights, a leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, 60:40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power adjustable mirrors, power windows, a tilt adjustable steering wheel, a 12 volt accessory socket, trip computer and an immobiliser.

As standard, the Suzuki Ignis is fitted with a temporary spare wheel (T135/70R15 99M).

Features: Suzuki Ignis GLX

The Suzuki Ignis GLX is further equipped with 16-inch x 6.0J alloy wheels with 175/60 R16 tyres, a six speaker sound system, climate control air conditioning, LED projector headlights, daytime running lights, dusk-sensing headlights, 50:50 split and folding rear seats with slide and recline functions, push-button start, a height adjustable driver’s seat and rear privacy glass. Visually, the Ignis GLX can be identified by its chrome grille accent.