A TopAuto reader named Martin mailed us last week and told us there was a lack of “average person” car reviews on the site.
“You need to feature cars which most people drive or can afford,” he said.
When we asked him what car he drove and if he would be willing to tell us more about it, he happily obliged.
Martin drives a Suzuki Ignis and told us in detail what it is like to own the car – and use it every day – in the question-and-answer article below.
Which Suzuki Ignis model do you own?
I drive a 2017 Suzuki Ignis 1.2 GL, with 66kW and 120Nm.
When did you get the car, and how much did you pay?
I bought the car with financing in June 2019 with 25,000km on the clock for R137,000.
I put down a R25,000 deposit and there is no balloon payment.
What are your three favourite things about the car?
The Suzuki Ignis’s looks are a controversial topic and I was not convinced at first.
But it doesn’t take much time to be won over by its edgy shape and the way Suzuki gets the most out of the interior.
From the outside it looks small, but getting into the Ignis will leave you impressed.
The cabin provides ample space and leg room for both the driver and the front passenger.
The driver’s seat is very well positioned and provides a sense of confidence – due to it being a bit higher than most regular city cars.
Coming in at 5 litres of petrol for 100km of driving, the Suzuki Ignis is friendly on my wallet, too.
Which three things do you like least about the car?
On the highway the car gets quite noisy when hitting speeds over 120km/h.
I also think it deserves bigger and thicker wheels. Its thin wheels do not do it justice at all.
It also needs an engine upgrade. Its 1.2-litre 66kW engine doesn’t do the job, and the car is begging for a 1.4-litre or at least a turbo.
A pothole is possibly the the car’s worst nightmare, with the sound and impact thundering through each time you hit one.
What is it like to drive your car every day?
Driving the car for more than 50km on a daily basis for the past year and a half has been pleasant.
Let’s be honest, it doesn’t provide the same thrill as a BMW or let you smash through bushes like a Ford Ranger – but it does the job.
It won’t let you down in the right lane on the highway, but also won’t shy away at the sight of a neglected farm road.
What is the hardest journey you have done with your car?
After driving the car for a few months I knew it would run decently on dirt roads, due to its better-than-average ground clearance.
When my girlfriend’s family invited me to join them for a hunting trip on the Botswana border I knew it was time for the Ignis to shine.
It performed exceptionally well on thick, loose sand; on a dirt road with rocks; and up the side of a mountain road.
This was with two people inside and a boot filled with luggage.
I wouldn’t recommend the Ignis for a trip through Africa, but the peace of mind knowing that your car will compete with SUVs is great.
Would you recommend your car to friends and family?
Absolutely.
The Suzuki brand speaks for itself: it is inexpensive to service and Suzuki parts are always available.
Its practicality and value for money are other reasons I would recommend this car.
Martin’s Suzuki Ignis – Photos
Keyword: What it’s like to drive a Suzuki Ignis every day – An owner’s feedback