Trying out the Suzuki Splash (From Bournemouth Echo)

Trying out the Suzuki Splash

1:31pm Friday 12th June 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share

NOT having driven a Suzuki Splash since its launch some 13 months ago, I was interested to see how the new entry-level one-litre, three-pot engine fared in the popular mini-MPV.

At the time, I praised the Swift-based Splash, powered by a bigger engine, as well-built, an enjoyable drive suiting town driving well and feeling like a bigger car inside.

The new 12-valve engine produces 68bhp and 66lb/ft of torque which gets the car up to 99mph.

The Splash is the same car, at least on the outside, as Vauxhall’s Agila.

It’s a tall 1.6m (but clever exterior design makes it look lower) and there’s room for four, though five adults would be a squeeze.

Rear legroom is better than some much bigger cars and there’s reasonable room for six-footers in the back when there are similar length people in the front (although I wouldn’t fancy Bournemouth to Gateshead in that situation).

The comfy seats are fairly high, meaning easy ingress/egress and good forward visibility, and rear visibility is helped by sensibly-sized door mirrors.

The new engine is obviously geared toward town driving but it’s useful over distances too.

Acceleration up to 40mph or 50mph is reasonably brisk but eases off considerably – more than enough for town and traffic driving.

The Splash creeps up to motorway speeds but once there is happy enough cruising, though its shape ensures wind noise becomes apparent; as do cross winds.

Road noise is reasonable though, and the thrumming engine is obviously approaching the borders of its comfort zone there.

Nonetheless, I was quite happy and comfortable at 80mph (costing 4,200rpm) on the motorway – just don’t try any high-speed A-road overtaking unless you have runway-length Tarmac available.

The ride is on the firm side but not seriously so, and cornering induces an acceptable level of body roll.

Standard equipment is very good, with such goodies as air-conditioning, a trip computer, electric door mirrors and remote central locking.

There’s also plenty of safety equipment including half a dozen airbags and electronic stability programme all included in the price.

There’s a modest boot of 178 litres, which expands to a reasonable 573 litres with the rear seats down.

In a week of 300 miles of high-speed cruising combined with daily commuting, I achieved 43.1mpg.

Although well down on official figures, this is probably largely due to pushing the car at around 80mph into strong winds.

The litre Splash is a practical compromise if your driving is mainly urban with occasional long journeys.

• Print
• Email
• Share