The big: Suzuki Splash
How does the Splash drive?
First of all it is really fun, not only in the city but also along the winding roads along the Slovenian coast, the small roads of Piran, or on the highway between Vienna and Slovenia. There is no comparison with its predecessor, the high, narrow and not very nice looking Wagon R. From the outside the Splash looks like a designer European small car. Conspicous is its height. With a length of 3,72 meters, the Splash is nearly as long as the Toyota Yaris, but it is 6 cm higher. The high seating position makes for good vision and makes the getting in and out of the car much easier; something especially women appreciate a lot.
Incredible space
On the inside the smallest car of Suzuki offers the space of a larger car and it is kind of a microvan. The overall length of 4 meters offers it all. Enough elbow and head space for 5 people; the leg room at the back gets a bit small when the driver and front passenger push their seat further back. The seating position for the driver is excellent even thought he seat size is a bit short for longer drives. One can also get impatient when trying to attach the centre seatbelt on the car roof. Practical, plain but still pleasing and roomy, the Splash interior convinces with good finishes. The material choices of fabric seats and lots of plastic was made for long lasting. But somehow they must make up for the entry price of below €10.000. Behind the distinctive rear with the colourful long tail lights, hides a car boot that is not really for long distance drives (or lots of luggage). It fits only 200 litre. So if you have more luggage you need to convert the Splash into a 2-seater car. You gain boot space ( 1000 litres) by simply pushing the backrests back. Practical: the space under the floor of the car boot, which can be especially useful for dirty or wet items.
The cockpit presents itself visually with a fresh new look
Everything is in the right place. The large tachometer with the onboard computer reminds one of the Mini, the attached rev counter on the old Smart. The leather covered steering wheel with CD radio, remote control and channel search can easily find Eros Ramazotti in the Slovenian-Italian radio jungle. What maybe some people could be missing – a navigation system, but this is available as an add-on.
Practical: the generous storage space for bottles and bits and pieces. The only critique for the cockpit is that the steering wheel can only be adjusted for height, the writing on the air condition and for the onboard computer, which can only be reached through the spokes of the steering wheel which is a nuisance. Bothersome: the annoying noise of the indicators.
Maximum choice for minimal price
Suzuki starts their offer with three different interior varieties. Besides the 1.0 lt three cylinder base variety with 65 HP for the environmentally conscious, the Special – versions gives some extras in driving comfort – the three-cylinder engine as well as the 1.2 ltr. four-cylinder engine. The Splash 1.2 de-luxe emphasises on its 86 HP, additional head airbags and fog headlights. Also the diesel friends are getting a stylish companion with the 1.3 ltr. Turbo diesel model which includes a particle filter as well. The Euro -4 emission standards are met and CO2 emissions are merely at a 120 and 142g/km. All 3 motors are combined with a five-speed gear box. The 1.2 ltr gasoline variety is also available as four-speed automatic.
Weak petrol motor
Our test driving car was a three-cylinder 65 HP gasoline motor which did not raise any high expectations; it is totally sufficient in normal road traffic. But on mountain roads, highways and in the summer when the air-condition is switched on, the Splash 1.0 quickly loses on power. But if one knows how to use the five-gear box efficiently, one can have some fun when driving, but this way does increase the fuel consumption. According to the manufacturer, the motor uses 5.5 ltr on 100 kilometers. After our test drive through Slovenia and Austria, the onboard computer showed a hefty 7.5 ltr usage.
Carriage
Built on a swift-platform, the Splash offers lots of driving fun. Overall the carriage is adjusted too hard; however that also allows more speed when driving into bends.
Saftey
Also here the Splash shows itself from its best side. Four stars form the Euro NCAP Crash Test and with six airbags and ESP it is well appointed for daily driving. Only the 1 ltr gasoline car must forgo the electronic driving assistance and head airbags.
Comment:
Cute new Japanese car for the small budget which looks good and has lots of room.
What does it cost: as of 11.490,00 Euro
