mReview: Suzuki Ignis Mild Hybrid - The Unorthodox Alternative

When you think of compact and fun cars that are suited for city driving, you’ll probably think of Suzuki. 

The Swift Sport and Suzuki Jimny instantly come to mind, proving that you don’t need to have massive amounts of power to have fun. Now, Suzuki has launched another option, the Suzuki Ignis Mild Hybrid, a compact crossover that makes everything else look big by comparison.

If you’re reading this, either you are interested in getting the Ignis or are curious about what this compact crossover actually is. Is it a vehicle that is indeed worth getting? Let’s find out!

Unconventional styling that’ll make you look twice

The Suzuki Ignis actually shares the same platform as the Suzuki Swift, which means you can technically say it is a “taller” Swift? Even though they do share the same internals, the exterior is what really sets the Ignis apart.

The front grille looks rather unique, with vents that look like the air-con vents you’d find inside a car’s cabin. The “U”s are also a design trait that carries from the DRLs to the vents.

The one thing that is immediately obvious is that the car is very petite. Even though it is technically a crossover, it’s not very tall. While compact, you still get 260 litres worth of boot space, which is spacious enough for weekly grocery shopping.

You can also fold either seats down to increase cargo space up to 521 litres, although fitting longer items may be a bit more fiddly as it’s not exactly flat.

The Ignis, dare we say, looks rather cute. However, it’s not the beautiful kind of cute, it’s more of the “either you like it or hate it” kind of cute, like a Pug. So, if you are the type who appreciates cars that are more unique and not a common sight, this car is it. There’s a unique charm to this car, and it definitely has character.

Small size? Great!

So it has the looks, but is it practical? The Ignis will swallow four adults without any issues, but fitting a fifth person poses a problem. There is no centre seat belt included so it’s practically illegal to attempt to squeeze five people into the car.

However, for a car this size, it does have decent legroom. Crucially, it is taller than its Swift sibling, which means you get much more headroom inside, a lifesaver in compact cars like these.

Apart from that though, the rear really doesn’t have anything else to entertain your passengers, not even grab handles which can only be found on the front passenger side. 

There isn’t much going on in the cabin. You get solid plastics, leather seats, a simple analogue dash and even a traditional handbrake! You may laugh, but this is becoming a novelty among the sea of new cars that come with electronic handbrake buttons.

What we really like about the Ignis is its simplicity. This is a great car for people who are new to driving, or even to cars in general. Everything is practical and easy to understand.

For entertainment, you get a 7-inch touchscreen. It works fine and does the job, but our only complaint is under harsh sunlight it can be difficult to view the screen. Other than that though, you do get quite a lot of features, including wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It’s functional to use, and not intrusive while driving. 

For charging, you only get a singular USB port and 12V outlet in the Ignis, which may pose an issue if you intend to keep several gadgets plugged in. 

Small engine? Not so…

The Dualjet engine residing in the Ignis is also found in the Swift Mild Hybrid, and it churns out 82bhp and 107Nm of torque to the front wheels. The 12V mild-hybrid system does not allow the Ignis to run with the engine shut off, but it does help with acceleration in the lower rev range, giving the car a little more oomph.

While you can’t expect much from the small 1.2L engine, at times we do wish the car had more power available. The engine screams and roars as it struggles to pick up speed, turning heads in the process.

The optimum way to drive a low powered car like the Ignis is to maintain as much momentum as possible whilst driving, avoiding unnecessary braking whenever possible. Once it gets up to speed on the expressway, the car is much more smooth. 

One thing the Ignis really excels at is manoeuvrability. The steering wheel lock is extremely generous, giving you up to 1 and 3/4 rounds. Combine that with the Ignis’ short length and parking becomes extremely easy, regardless of what kind. You even get a crisp reverse camera to help you see. 

More importantly, the Ignis comes with active safety systems that include pre-collision warning, lane departure warning and weaving alerts to keep you driving safely within the lanes. 

Not that keeping in lanes is a particularly hard thing to do. It is so compact, you feel like a dwarf. Motorcycles can easily stop around you at traffic lights because you don’t take up much space on the road.

Ultimately, is it worth it?

Although the Ignis is underpowered, it works as a no-frills car that can get you from point A to B, while attracting some curious stares along the way because of its unique looks. Unfortunately, while the Suzuki Ignis Mild Hybrid is a fun little car, it does come at a rather high cost which can be a deal-breaker for some.

Costing S$117,900 at the time of this article, the Ignis to us is in sort of the “No Man’s Land” territory. For a little bit more, you can get the Jimny, which arguably offers more functionality. Alternatively, for much less you can pick up the more cost-effective Swift Mild-Hybrid.

However, if you feel that the Ignis is the one for you, then it’s definitely a unique car to own. It’s a car that’s very much suited for new drivers, making the roads less intimidating as it is extremely forgiving and very functional, allowing drivers to effortlessly handle tight spaces. 

For more information about the new Suzuki Ignis, or to arrange for a test drive, do contact Suzuki Singapore!

Specs

Prices are accurate at the time of writing.

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