Suzuki Splash a likeable city hatch

Johannesburg - The buying-down trend is spawning an ever-growing number of new cars being launched in South Africa’s R130 000-R150 000 budget hatchback segment.

Though compact in size, many of these cars are equipped with a good number of bells and whistles which raise their appeal and make them seem less “bargain basement”. Together with decent levels of safety and in certain cases quite plush interiors, they don’t make you feel like you’re settling for something that’s too cheap.

Sales in this highly competitive league are dominated by the Polo Vivo, Toyota Etios, and Ford Figo, while also fighting for market share are cars like the Kia Picanto, Hyundai i10, Suzuki Swift, Chevrolet Spark, Mitsubishi Mirage and Honda Brio. The most recent newcomer is the subject of this road test, the Suzuki Splash.

Suzuki reckons the car fills a niche between the Swift and the entry-level Suzuki Alto which sells for between 106 and 122 grand, but the Splash is essentially a direct rival to the Swift as it offers just a R2000 price saving.

A BIT TOO TALL

The Splash is a slightly shorter car than the Swift but has a taller roof and a slightly bigger 236-litre boot with the seats up (the Swift’s is 210 litres). Styling-wise it gives the Splash more of a Noddy-car look, and with its short wheelbase and large windows it’s a breeze to squeeze into a parallel parking bay. However, the tall roof does make the Splash get bullied by crosswinds on the open road, and during the strong winds Gauteng experienced recently the Splash sometimes felt like a ping pong ball being batted around by a kitten.

That high roof admittedly provides a vast amount of headroom, but unless you intend wearing a top hat it’s overkill. The resultingly tall windows create a goldfish bowl-like effect when sitting in the car, where it’s difficult to hide from the sun.

Rear legroom is reasonably tight but not the toddler-sized accommodation you might expect of the car’s compact 3 775mm length, and the back seat will accommodate a pair of adults.

The small boot is barely big enough for a couple of tog bags, but it does contain a full-size spare wheel, and with the rear seats folded down I was able to fit a mountain bike inside with the front wheel removed.

Suzuki’s new minihatch is available in three derivatives, all powered by the same petrol 1.2-litre engine, with a choice of two specification levels: the GA and the GL.

A five-speed manual gearbox is standard in both spec levels, with the higher-specced GL also offering a four-speed automatic.

The 1.2 engine, the same unit used in the Swift, shifts 63kW of power and 113Nm of torque to the front wheels. While those outputs are distinctly flyweight they’re made more palatable by the car also being a real lightie, weighing in at less than 1000kg. At sea level this should give the Splash the ability to sprint from 0 to 100km/h in a claimed 12.3 seconds, with a 160km/h top speed.

At Gauteng altitude, where we conducted the test, performance is bearable but the little engine needs to be worked to keep the car in the fast lane. Around town it provides more than acceptable commuting pace, but with a couple of passengers aboard it’s a hill-detector that battles to keep to the 120km/h national speed limit on the freeway.

LIGHT ON FUEL

But I was impressed with the test car’s fuel economy of 5.8 litres per 100km, just shy of Suzuki’s 5.6 litre claim. It’s very unusual for real-world consumption to be so close to the factory-quoted figure.

The car used less fuel in city driving than on the open road, where full-throttle driving was often required to get it to cruise at the national speed limit.

The car’s quite refined for a hatch in this price range, and there’s little wind or mechanical noise. Our test car developed a slight vibration at higher speeds though, and I’m not sure if it was possibly a wheel balancing issue.

For a short-wheelbase car the ride’s predictably choppy but the high-profile tyres ensure it’s not unpleasantly uncomfortable. It zips through corners with fair agility too, even with that high roof.

The power-assisted steering is light and the five-speed transmission shifts with reasonable smoothness, although it’s sometimes hesitant to select reverse gear when the engine’s cold.

We tested the high-spec GL manual derivative which sells for R134 900. The baseline GA already comes standard with dual front airbags, ABS brakes, air-conditioning, key-operated central locking, cloth seats, and 60/40 split rear seats.

The GL’s added toy count includes a rev counter, four-speaker CD audio system with auxiliary and USB inputs, and audio controls on the tilt-adjustable (but not reach-adjustable) steering wheel. In addition, the GL has keyless entry, electric windows, and a heated rear screen with wipe/wash system.

Altogether a decent level of spec for the price, and the GL model is also visually glammed up with colour-coded door handles, front fog lamps, and a rear spoiler.

Cabin ambience is what you’d expect in the price range. The dashboard plastic is the hard type and the cloth covering the seats is thin, but the interior finishes are neat.

Stowage space is reasonable. There’s no bin between the seats but there’s one on top of the dash which is handy for phones and wallets, and there are door pockets and a tray under the front passenger seat.

Like the Swift, the Splash is sold with a three-year/100 000km warranty, and a two-year/30 000km service plan. Scheduled services are at 15 000km intervals.

VERDICT

A likeable little city hatch that’s decently kitted out at a good price. It seems well built and has good refinement. It will make a great first car for 18-year-olds with newly acquired driver’s licences, whose parents will particularly appreciate the presence of airbags and ABS.

SPLASH VS ITS RIVALS

Suzuki Splash 1.2i GL

- 63kW/113Nm - R134 900

Suzuki Swift hatch 1.2 GL

- 63kW/113Nm - R136 900

Kia Picanto 1.2 EX

- 65kW/120Nm - R143 995

Hyundai i10 1.25 Fluid

- 64kW/119Nm - 134 500

Chevrolet Spark 1.2 LS

- 60kW/108Nm - R137 400

Honda Brio hatch 1.2 Comfort