Suzuki Splash
Cascading into our showrooms March this year, the Suzuki Splash has certainly caused ripples of admiration from customers and sent many manufacutrers into raging torrents of envy.
For here is a mini MPV that is the safest in its class, offering low cost motoring without compromising on equipment .A trickle of models are out to be caught. In the shallow end is the 1.2 litre petrol mated to the GLS trim that you can fish out for £8,999. Moving into more murky waters is the same engine on a higher specification of the GLS+ that will cost £9,499 if caught as a five-speed manual or £10,349 with a four-speed automatic gearbox. Out in the deep waters lie the 1.3 DDiS GLS+ diesels that you can hoik in for £10,499.
Casting my rod to the waters and my bait found the 1.2 GLS+ five-speed manual in a refreshing ‘Splash Green’ or ‘Minty’ for short. Could be worse, I might have fished out the ‘Lagoon Turquoise’.
Standing a proud 1.6 metre tall, the Splash does share some similarities with the Vauxhall Agila in terms of overall looks. However start dissecting the Splash and the frontal styling reveals front fog lights in the split colour coded bumpers. The large jewel like front light clusters that flank the snout like bonnet are different as is the rear due to vertical light cluster arrangement. The raised roofline gives great visibility while the colour coded door mirrors and door handles add a touch of class. There are no door protection strips thus the doors appear much larger while the 15-inch alloy wheels sit under flared wheel arches giving a purposeful stance.
Gutting the Splash GLS+ and a bright spacious interior emerges amidst some funky designs such as the rev counter in a pod and mounted to the dashboard. The instrument panel is dominated by a distinctive silver trimmed large speedo with black lettering against the white dial making it easy to read. Other on board toys includes a height adjustable steering wheel, height adjustable driver and passenger seats, electric windows, electrically adjustable door mirrors, CD radio with MP3 and air conditioning. That is quite an impressive list for the price tag.
Freeing up space for oddments and making it easier to operate is the dash-mounted gear lever. Other storage solutions comprise of slim door pockets with integrated bottle holders, a useful box on top of the dashboard but be aware in case whatever you decide to keep there does not reflect back through the windscreen. The glove box is quite small however the Splash can cope with 178 litres of boot space, which includes a useful 36-litre under-floor compartment for valuables and the whole tray can be lifted out if necessary
Producing a sparkling performance is Suzuki’s own 1.2-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine developing 86 PS. This combines smoothness with good low-end torque and fuel efficiency resulting in a sedate 14.9 seconds to 62mph and 51.4 mpg on a combined cycle. The engine is mated to a five-speed gearbox that sees a lively clutch yet produces firm quick gear changes.
The Splash has been built on the Suzuki Swifts platform, which has won many plaudits for its chassis and comfortable ride quality but shortened by 20 mm. MacPherson strut suspension at the front is matched by a torsion bean and coil springs at the rear. The low unsprung weight of the torsion beam arrangement enables effective control of camber angle and toe-in to deliver accurate and predictable handling that is very apparent out on the twisty country roads. Thankfully for worse case scenarios, the braking system uses particularly rigid callipers for enhanced stropping performance. I really enjoyed the splashingly good ride this car delivered and appreciated the extra gump from the 1.2 litre engine.
With four stars for adult occupation, and three stars for child occupant protection the Suzuki Splash is on of the safest cars in its class. Standard across the whole range are the active safety features of ABS, Brake Assist and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution. Suzuki has also equipped their entire Splash’s with ESP in recognition of this life saving feature.
The Splash incorporates crushable structures, an energy-dispersing frame and crash-optimised high rigidity cabin. The front seatbelts come with pretensioners and a force limiters as well as being height adjustable while the rear three seatbelts are 3-point ELR. Then come the airbags in the form of driver and passenger, side airbags plus full length curtain airbags.
In case anyone accidentally mounts the kerb pedestrians are protected thanks to the bonnet, wings, wipers and front bumpers being designed to be crushable and absorb impact energy more progressively so reducing injury.
Securing the Splash from poachers is remote central locking with deadlocks and an immobiliser. The petrol models come into insurance group 3E while the diesel falls into group 4D.
The new Suzuki Splash is comfortable, well-equipped and low maintenance – sounds like my ideal man! Indulge and enjoy.
Jackie Violet – Female First