More cars u Bigger tests u Data and advice Britain’s biggest and best car buyer’s guide Reprinted from Awards 2018 TRUE MPG AWARD WINNER The Suzuki Ignis shines in our comprehensive fuel economy test AUTOCAR: CARS OF 2017 TAKING ON THE BIG GUNS OUR EIGHT-MONTH VERDICT How the Ignis made our end-of-year head-to-head Life on the road with our long-term test car CAR OF THE YEAR 2018 Winner True MPG Award Suzuki Ignis 1.2 SHVS 2WD SZ5 The main reason you’re interested in a car’s fuel economy figures is because you don’t want to pour tonnes of money into its tank, right? With that in mind, you won’t want to spend loads on buying the car that offers cheap running costs, either. That’s where the Ignis really scores. It’s frugal in any type of driving and inexpensive to buy, at over £3000 cheaper than the Yaris Hybrid and virtually half the price of the CX-5. You can even have an Ignis with four-wheel drive that returns 53.3mpg. All this makes the Ignis the deserving winner of our first True MPG Award. Photography: John Bradshaw Save £1446 on this car at whatcar.com/new-car-deals 2 | Reprinted from What Car? Awards Issue 2018 whatcar.com Reprinted from What Car? Awards Issue 2018 whatcar.com | 3 CAR OF Awards 2018 THE YEAR 2018 Suzuki’s winners KEY FACTS Best buy Less than £9500 List price £7999 Best City Car Target Price £7594 What Car? Light, precise controls, Suzuki Celerio Monthly PCP cost £133* deal a comfy low-speed SZ2 Performance 0-62mph 13.5sec £6999 ride, and enough IT WOULD BE easy to dismiss the Celerio should also be commended. It isn’t quite Top speed 96mph poke for motorways and its quirky looks. But never judge a book as supple or agile as a Skoda Citigo or Kia by its cover; the Celerio makes a superbly Picanto, but it’s close, and those rivals cost Running costs True are crucial. Inside, we well-rounded city car choice. considerably more to buy. Official economy 65.7mpg MPG want generous space Suzuki’s 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol Great value for money is even more CO2 99g/km engine is a peach. It packs a modest apparent inside. The Celerio offers genuine Company car tax band 18% and reasonable 67bhp but, because the Celerio is light, space for four adults and the weekly shop, Insurance group 7 quality – and it all it’s easily strong enough for town work its tall windows provide a brilliant view out and doesn’t even feel too out of its depth in all directions and Suzuki throws in Safety 57.8 needs to come at on the motorway. Drive sensibly and the everything you would realistically need – Euro NCAP crash rating a competitive price. 57.8mpg we saw in our real-world True MPG even on entry-level SZ2 trim. yxxxxxx yxxxxxx yyyxxxxxx testing is achievable. All things considered, the Celerio is a The way the Celerio rides and handles serious amount of car for the cash. 61% 74% 68% 38% (2014) * 9.4% (£750) deposit KEY FACTS Best buy Less than £16,000 List price £15,999 Best Small SUV Target Price £15,004 What Car? Good small SUVs Suzuki Vitara Monthly PCP cost £261* deal are comfortable, with 1.6 SZ4 Performance 0-62mph 11.5sec £14,499 spacious interiors DESPITE THE ARRIVAL of competition from either. Our preferred 1.6-litre petrol engine Top speed 112mph and clever touches a number of manufacturers, as well as is willing if you don’t mind working it hard, Suzuki’s own Ignis, the Vitara remains our and is smoother than most of the downsized Running costs True that make them more favourite budget SUV. The Vitara is bigger three-cylinder engines in rivals. The Vitara Official economy 53.3mpg MPG practical. Running than a number of more expensive rivals, even has enjoyable handling, resisting roll CO2 123g/km with plenty of boot space and enough well and feeling keen to change direction. Company car tax band 23% costs shouldn’t be room for adults in the back seats. In everyday driving, this version is capable Insurance group 14 too much more It’s well equipped, too. SZ4 trim gets of diesel-beating economy; it managed an basics such as Bluetooth connectivity, impressive 47.7mpg in our True MPG test. Safety 47.7 than an equivalent a DAB radio, all-round electric windows Then there’s dependability: Suzuki ranked Euro NCAP crash rating hatchback. and alloy wheels, plus a few luxuries fourth out of 32 manufacturers in our latest yxxxxxx yxxxxxx yxxxxxx yxxxxxx yxxxxx including cruise control and climate control. reliability survey. All in all, the Vitara makes The Vitara doesn’t disappoint on the road, for a very compelling small SUV. 89% 85% 76% 75% (2015) * 9.4% (£1500) deposit KEY FACTS True MPG List price £14,499 True Finalist Suzuki Ignis Target Price £13,988 MPG The most impressive 1.2 SHVS 2WD SZ5 Best What Car? deal £13,053 True MPG performers Official economy 65.7mpg CO2 97g/km of the past year. Company car tax band 18% WHY THE IGNIS is a finalist is simple: nothing find a fairly normal, non-turbocharged Insurance group 17 Average Rather than just has surpassed its stellar average True MPG 1.2-litre petrol engine. Examine more closely, 59.6 picking the three figure of 59.6mpg. Given the wide selection though, and the mechanically minded Safety most frugal cars, we of hybrids, downsized turbocharged petrol among you might notice a belt-driven Euro NCAP crash rating Town engines and diesels we’ve tested this year, motor/generator. This can generate yxxxxxx yxxxxxx yxxxxxx yxxxxxx yxxxxxx 50.6 consider how models that’s quite some achievement. electricity when you’re slowing down. Not only does the Ignis sip less fuel That’s fed to a tiny battery that then powers 87% 79% 77% 60% Motorway perform against rivals than anything else, but it doesn’t chuck the motor, which adds torque under (2016) 54.1 and what pollutants out much NOx, either. Considering NOx acceleration, helping with performance. contributes to the formation of smog In addition, the Ignis weighs much less True MPG emissions Rural come out of their and acid rain, that’s worth celebrating. than even the Volkswagen Up city car, Hydrocarbons 0.027g/km 75.1 exhausts. So, what magic does the Ignis use to achieve so even cheaper, non-hybrid versions of CO 0.485g/km this? Well, look under the bonnet and you’ll the car are still good for more than 50mpg. NOx 0.004g/km CO2 111.5g/km 4 | Reprinted from What Car? Awards Issue 2018 whatcar.com Reprinted from What Car? Awards Issue 2018 whatcar.com | 5 you of stationary obstacles. Meanwhile, other niceties include climate control, electric front and rear windows and keyless entry and start. If that wasn’t enough, the Ignis features OUR CARS a pair of individually sliding and reclining rear seats, just like in a grown-up SUV. Push them all the way back and there’s a surprising amount of rear leg room. The high roof ensures that even tall adults should have plenty of Suzuki Ignis head room – although it’s not something I’ve personally put to the test, being the size of an average garden gnome. 1.2 Dualjet SHVS Allgrip SZ5 Not only does our Ignis look good on paper, but it also does a good job of charming everyone who drives it. It may not be fast, but Suzuki’s baby SUV has impressed us so far; now it’s time to find it’s great fun in corners, because the steering is well weighted and the car’s light weight out how the four-wheel-drive version fares in real-world use means it feels eager to turn in despite WHY WE’RE being relatively tall. Photography: John Bradshaw RUNNING IT Then there’s its limited power and narrow tyres, which enable To find out whether Mileage 4445 List price £14,249 Target Price £13,705 Price as tested £14,899 Test economy 45.6mpg you to drive it hard yet stay the Ignis is more well within the speed limits. versatile than other There are many so-called hot Run by Alan Taylor-Jones enough 4x4 styling cues to give it broad to the engine via a belt, although it isn’t big cars of its size due to hatches that could learn a lot [email protected] appeal. Suzuki buffs will even notice a few enough to move the car on its own. its SUV practicality from this unlikely B-road hero. retro touches inspired by the brand’s iconic So, what’s the point if there’s no zero- and four-wheel As a member of the reviews SUZUKI APPEARS TO be suffering from a case Whizzkid coupé of the 1970s. emissions running? Well, it makes the little drive team, I will be using the Ignis to of writer’s block. After reintroducing the Baleno Our Ignis is a range-topping SZ5 model, 1.2-litre engine feel bigger than it actually is, get to plenty of faraway car launch name last year, the Ignis badge has now been which comes with a 1.2-litre four-cylinder allowing you to stay in a higher gear for longer, events during the coming months.