The Suzuki Ignis is a pint-sized crossover that's brimming with attitude.

There’s a saying that goes ‘good things come in small packages’, and rarely has that been more accurate in the car world than in the case of the Suzuki Ignis. This highly compact crossover rivals its larger sibling, the wonderful Suzuki Jimny, for style and charm, and maintains a similar utilitarian functionality to its design. That boxy image is pure Kei car stuff, and not a single millimetre of interior space has gone to waste, ensuring that this pint-sized SUV still provides enough room to transport four occupants and some luggage comfortably. 

Among the updates that the Ignis received in 2020 is a subtle exterior styling tweak, with a new front grille design and bumpers that reflect a more off-road look, featuring silver metallic inserts on the lower bumper sections at either end. Some might scoff at the suggestion of going off-road in an Ignis, but Suzuki backs up that styling with a four-wheel drive transmission, which it calls AllGrip. Suzuki has more than 50 years of experience with four-wheel drive, and in that time, the brand has become hugely popular with enthusiasts who value the affordability and reliability of the Japanese brand. 

With the Ignis, Suzuki installs its Grip Control system to provide improved traction levels, especially in slippery conditions like mud or snow. The car detects which driven wheel is starting to spin and applies braking force as more power is sent to the opposite wheel to improve its chances of moving out of the situation. Add to that the relatively good ground clearance and skinny tyres and you have the makings of a proper go-anywhere car that’s perfect to avoid being stranded in poor weather conditions. 

On the interior of the Ignis you get much of the same fare that features in Suzuki’s larger cars, like the Vitara. In keeping with the car’s design, everything is set out functionally and intuitively. You won’t find any plush materials or premium-quality leather upholstery in here. Still, all of the surfaces and switchgear have a reassuringly solid feel to them, giving the impression that they’ll feel the exact same in fifteen years’ time. 

Only the entry-grade model offers seating for five, due to it having a fixed bench seat. However, given the size of the Suzuki, the four-seat arrangement in the other versions is better suited to the car, and your friends will probably appreciate you more for choosing these versions. The individual rear seats can also move independently to add to the car’s versatility. The standard boot capacity is 260 litres and this can increase to 514 litres when the rear seatbacks fold down. You’re not going to move house with this car in one trip, but for the day-to-day stuff there’s enough space. It can also be equipped with a roof box. 

There’s a multifunction steering wheel with cruise control and the necessary functions for a connected phone. The instrument cluster is a simple affair that’s very easy to read at a glance and includes a small digital display that can show you when the mild hybrid system is working and recovering energy into the second battery that resides beneath the front passenger seat. Better still is the colour touchscreen display (standard on SZ-T and SZ5 specification grades) as it not only offers built-in satellite navigation but includes smartphone mirroring with Android Auto and Apple Carplay via a USB connection. 

Apart from being able to keep connected, the SZ5 specification adds an autonomous braking system that relies on information from two cameras that are integrated into the top of the windscreen. This kind of tech is becoming more common in high-end cars, but to see it in a model like the Ignis may pleasantly surprise some buyers. In addition to that, other nice-to-have features include keyless entry and engine start, a reversing camera, LED headlights and hill hold control. All very useful and standard on this SZ5 trim grade. 

The Suzuki Ignis is never going to win any drag races; its modest performance means you’re less likely to pick up many speeding fines (another bonus, right?). Taking almost thirteen seconds to reach 62mph doesn’t sound all that hot, but it doesn’t tell the full story. Yes, you do need to drive with your brain engaged, as joining motorways requires you to make sure you’re in the right gear and able to get up to speed properly. Do that, and keep that 1.2-litre petrol engine singing and it’s a fun little car. 

With the wheels pushed right out to the extremities of the car it handles and steers in a pretty direct fashion and nipping through busy city streets, the Ignis starts to come into its own. With such tiny overhangs on each end and a compact turning circle, the Suzuki will have you searching out parking spaces that others wouldn’t dream of trying to get into. When you’re driving around and off the accelerator pedal, the car’s mild hybrid system gets busy recovering energy into its small battery. Unlike conventional hybrids that can drive the vehicle using only electric at low speeds, the petrol engine always powers the Suzuki. The energy that the mild hybrid system recuperates is put to use to help power the various onboard electrical systems like air conditioning, which in turn takes a strain off of the engine. That can have as much as a 15 per cent improvement in fuel economy and helps to reduce emissions. The margins aren’t huge, but every bit helps. 

The Suzuki Ignis is a cool and fun car. It’s ideal for those living in urban settings that want a car that has some style and sense of attitude to it. It feels as well-built as a car of this size can and it’s available with most of the technological features you might want in a modern car. Its added appeal of being capable of heading off on an adventure thanks to its capable all-wheel-drive transmission is further reason to want one. 

Model: Suzuki Ignis SZ5 

Price: £18,214

Engine: 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol mild hybrid

Power: 82bhp at 6,000rpm

Torque: 107Nm at 2,800rpm

0-62mph: 12.8 seconds

Max speed: 103mph

WLTP fuel consumption: 51.9mpg. 

WLTP CO2: 123g/km

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