Suzuki Ignis - TopCarNews

Suzuki Ignis (2017 – present) | Expert Rating [hide]

Summary

The Suzuki Ignis is a small city car-sized crossover model. It shares its name with a Suzuki model from the last decade, but the current model is an all-new vehicle that was released in late 2016.

Being a slightly more rugged version of a city car with optional four-wheel drive, the Ignis doesn’t have many direct rivals. However, many conventional city cars would do a similar job for most buyers.

The Suzuki Ignis has received mostly positive reviews from the UK motoring media, including several awards. However, it has also received a “Don’t Buy” recommendation from Which? magazine due to its relatively poor three-star safety rating.

The Ignis has received particular praise for its quirky and distinctive styling, competitive pricing and general practicality for a city car. On the other hand, it has been criticised for poor driving dynamics and cheap interior materials compared to other similarly-priced vehicles.

In its 2021 owners’ survey, What Car? rated the Suzuki Ignis as equal-worst (alongside the Dacia Sandero) in its list of the most reliable small cars.

Key specifications

Body style: Small five-door crossoverEngines: petrol with mild hybrid assistance
Price: From £12,999 on-road

Launched: Winter 2016/17Last updated: Summer 2019
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Suzuki Ignis (2017)

Suzuki Ignis (2020)

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8.2 / 10“A clever small car that scores on its combination of distinctive styling and deceptive interior space.”
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Auto Express

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The funky Suzuki Ignis mixes crossover looks and city car dimensions with interesting results.”
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Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol manual 2WDScore: 8 / 10“The Suzuki Ignis is a likeable and stylish little crossover no matter what spec, but we reckon removing four-wheel drive and hybrid assistance makes this 2WD 1.2-litre version the sweetest of the lot.”
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Autocar

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol manual 4WD SZ5Score: 7 / 10“Baby SUV promises greater efficiency from new mild-hybrid engine and improved ride.”
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Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“Viewed next to city cars such as the 500 and Adam, the Suzuki Ignis is competitively priced, but against baby SUVs such as the Fiat Panda 4×4 and Renault Captur it’s outright cheap.”
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Car

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol manual SZ5Score: 6 / 10“Kept within its limits the Suzuki Ignis is a good mix of useful and enjoyable. It’s no fuss in town, and punches slightly above its weight when you feel like hustling it along a B-road. But on longer trips it falls foul of its lack of power and refinement.”
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Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7.4 / 10“The Suzuki Ignis is a small SUV that’s not much bigger than a city car. It has character in spades and should prove cheap to run, but it’s a flawed gem.”
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Carwow

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“The Suzuki Ignis bears a familiar name but, if you think this new model shares the boring Euro-box design of the old cars, think again.”
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Daily Mail

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol manual SZ5Score: 6 / 10“Ultra-safe, pacy and cheap to run. If only the Suzuki Ignis wasn’t so ugly”
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Evo

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“Not as sensible or solid-feeling as some rivals, the SUV-style Suzuki Ignis can still raise a smile”
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Green Car Guide

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol manual SZ5Score: 8 / 10“Its light weight is a key reason for it being fun to drive, and an important factor in why it was so economical. It’s also more capable than virtually all other cars in its sector because it’s four-wheel drive. However, you can’t get away from the engine feeling dated and unrefined compared to most rivals.”
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Honest John

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“If you want to avoid the typical small hatchback choices, the Suzuki Ignis is a quirky-looking alternative with more character than its rivals. But it’s also well-priced, well-equipped and cheap to run, so as outside choices go it’s very sensible.”
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Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol manual DualJet“Aimed at the value-end of the market, the Suzuki Ignis’ quirky styling, low running costs and practical nature make it an attractive option for those who want something left-field from the current crop of city cars.”
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Parkers

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 6.2 / 10“Cheerful micro-SUV offers low-cost city motoring”
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The Sun

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol manual SZ5“It’s quirky and bright and boxy and will be love/hate but it’s also light and clever and practical – and mega value.”
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The Sunday Times

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol manual SZ5 4WDScore: 6 / 10“A good-humoured, rufty-tufty little crossover” (James May)
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The Telegraph

Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol manual SZ-TScore: 7 / 10“With its slightly raised driving position, easy access, spacious interior and the availability of four-wheel drive, the Suzuki Ignis represents a unique offering in the city car class. True, its dashboard design is basic and a Volkswagen Up is more comfortable, but the Ignis is still an intriguing – and impressive – little car.”
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Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“A lightweight, rugged city car big on charm, and small on thirst. A true Top Gear hero.”
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What Car?

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 6 / 10“The Suzuki Ignis is a dinky SUV that’s well priced and neatly packaged. Only its stodgy handling and so-so interior quality let it down.”
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Which?

Model reviewed: Range overview“The Suzuki Ignis brings a slice of trendy SUV charisma to the city-car market. A recent update has boosted quality and introduced an updated mild-hybrid engine, but it’s still compromised in many areas – especially safety – so remains a Which? Don’t Buy.”
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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall rating: 3 stars
Date tested: November 2016

79%

ADULT OCCUPANT

79%

CHILD OCCUPANT

67%

VULNERABLE ROAD USERS

25%

SAFETY ASSIST

Read full Euro NCAP review

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

The Suzuki Ignis has not been lab tested by Green NCAP. This is a new initiative, launched in 2018 as a sister organisation to Euro NCAP.

Awards

Trophies, prizes and awards that the Suzuki Ignis has received

2022

What Car? Awards – Best Small SUV for Value

2021

What Car? Awards – True MPG Award (Best for Motorway Driving)

2019

Honest John Awards – Best City Car
What Car? Awards – Best Small SUV under £15,000

2018

What Car? Awards – True MPG Award

2017

Scottish Car of the Year Awards – Compact Car of the Year
Northern Group of Motoring Writers – Car of the Year

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