Suzuki has had a triple success at the WhatCar? Awards 2017 with the Swift Sport, Vitara and Celerio all coming top of their respective classes thanks to the outstanding value for money on offer.
SIX YEAR SUCCESS FOR SWIFT SPORT
The Swift Sport has been crowned as the “Best Buy Hot Hatch under £15,000” for an incredible six years in a row, because of its back-to-basics and fun driving style coupled with affordability, which is backed up by its score of 45.2 mpg in “True MPG” fuel economy test, which is higher than its official EC combined figure. Editor of WhatCar? Magazine Steve Huntingford explains why the Swift Sport has been such a hit in the UK, with over 6,000 sold:
““The Suzuki Swift Sport is a reminder of the way hot hatches used to be – and it’s none the worse for that. Whereas all of its rivals now have turbocharged engines that pull strongly from low revs, the Sport uses a naturally aspirated 1.6 that’s most rewarding when you thrash it. True, it’s ultimately not that fast, but this just means you can use every ounce of the car’s performance without having to fear for your driving licence.
“The Sport also feels light on its feet and, thanks to its diminutive size, you can push it hard even on narrow country roads without feeling like you have to breathe in when something comes the other way. Then there’s the car’s sensible side. Suzuki was runner-up in our most recent reliability survey, so the Swift Sport should prove dependable, and it returned a very respectable 45.2mpg in its real-world True MPG fuel economy test. Although we’d opt for the cheaper three-door model to keep the price as low as possible, a five-door version is available if you decide you need better access to the rear seats.”
Swift Sport is available in four metallic colours and comes with Sat nav, DAB radio, USB connectivity, cruise control, 17-inch alloy wheels and auto air conditioning as standard.
VITARA MAKES IT A DOUBLE
The Vitara was named as the “Best Buy Small SUV under £15,000” for the second consecutive year, with the 1.6-litre SZ4 model coming in at £14,999 despite specification such as air conditioning, cruise control and alloys all coming as standard. Steve Huntingford comments:
: “Despite a strong challenge from another Suzuki small SUV, the new IGNIS, the Vitara’s combination of generous space, a long equipment list, keen pricing and low running costs help it win this entry price point for the second year in a row. There’s no need to be any more frivolous than the entry-level 1.6-litre petrol engine. Not only is it sensibly priced, it’s easily strong enough to haul a family and luggage, and proved to be remarkably fuel efficient in our real-world economy test.
“The Vitara is good to drive, too. Its body is tightly controlled in corners, the steering is reasonably precise and the suspension smooths out the worst our broken roads can throw at it. It’s an impressively roomy car inside – four adults will sit comfortably, with plenty of leg room. The boot is practical and generously sized, too, with a wide opening and a low lip. Entry-level SZ4 trim is very well equipped: 16in alloy wheels, Bluetooth, a DAB radio, a USB port, steering wheel-mounted controls, cruise control and seven airbags all come as standard.”
The new Vitara has been extremely popular with UK car buyers and Suzuki sold more than 11,500 in 2016 alone. ALLGRIP four-wheel-drive, diesel and 1.4-litre boosterjet models are also available.
CELERIO – BEST BUY CITY CAR
The Celerio, which was launched in Britain 2 years ago starts from an extremely affordable £6,999, completes an impressive haul for Suzuki with the award for “Best Buy City car under £8,000”. WhatCar? Magazine readers frequently ask for assistance with finding a small, cheap and easy to drive car – and the Celerio always comes highly recommended.
“Nothing else in this class offers so much for so little, just £7000 is enough to land you our lowest price point winner. At that price you’d expect an empty box on wheels, right? Wrong. This entry level SZ2 trim isn’t the plushest, but how about this lot: a height-adjustable driver’s seat and steering wheel, split-folding rear seats, electric front windows, a DAB radio and six airbags? Best of all, you get a sprightly three-cylinder petrol engine that’ll easily whizz you around town, with enough in reserve for 70mph cruising on the motorway. And it emits just 99g/km of CO2, so is exempt from road tax.
Drivers can easily get comfy thanks to lots of seat adjustment, and it’s dead easy to see all the car’s corners when parking. There’s a surprising amount of space for all four passengers, and the boot is bigger than most city cars”.
Congratulations on a fantastic night of recognition for everyone at Suzuki GB!
