Review - 2023 Suzuki Ignis

With its pint-sized proportions and an equally small engine offering impressive fuel economy figures, the Suzuki Ignis hopes to charm buyers here in Australia with its affordable price tags and quirky looks.

Just how much substance is there lurking underneath? Let’s take a closer look at the Suzuki Ignis and see how it stacks up against its rivals.

Suzuki Ignis Competition

Starting Price: $21,490

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How Much Does It Cost?

Prices for the Suzuki Ignis range kick off from $21,490 for the entry-level Ignis GL Manual, while prices rise up to $22,490 for the Ignis GL Automatic.

From here, the range moves to the Ignis GLX Automatic which is priced at $24,490 while the range-topping Ignis Shadow is priced at $25,990.

Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change and do not include on-road costs.

How Much Can OnlineAuto Save You?

You could save money by using one of OnlineAuto’s car agents to assist you in finding the best car for you. As one of the leading car buying services in Australia, our team have access to a range of dealerships across the country to help find you the best deal.

Suzuki Ignis (GLX) Specifications

What Features Does the Suzuki Ignis Have?

Suzuki’s entry-level Ignis GL comes riding on a set of 15-inch steel wheels and receives a set of halogen headlights and fog lights, cruise control, cloth upholstery with a leather steering wheel, roof rails, a rear-view camera and a 7.0-inch infotainment system with sat-nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as Bluetooth and USB inputs.

Stepping up to the Ignis GLX adds a set of 16-inch alloys, automatic LED headlights, climate control, keyless entry and start, a set of sliding and reclining rear seats, rear privacy glass and an upgraded six-speaker sound system.

Finally, the range-topping Ignis Shadow picks up a black roof spoiler, some black decals for the side profile and Shadow badging.

Range Features:

• 15-inch steel wheels 

• Halogen headlights & fog lights 

• Cruise control 

• Cloth upholstery with leather-wrapped steering wheel 

• Rear-view camera 

• Roof rails 

• 7.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto 

• 16-inch alloys  (GLX)

• Automatic LED headlights  (GLX)

• Climate control  (GLX)

• Keyless entry & start  (GLX)

• Six-speaker sound system (GLX)

• Black roof spoiler (Shadow)

• Black decals and Shadow badges (Shadow)

Is the Suzuki Ignis Comfortable to Drive?

While it might not seem like the most impressive package on paper, Suzuki’s lightweight platform and pint-sized footprint for the Ignis means that it doesn’t need a heap of power to be fun on the road.

Power comes supplied by a tiny little 1.2-litre four-cylinder that pushes out 66kW of power and 120Nm of torque to the front wheels via a CVT automatic that.

Combine that with the Ignis’ 865kg weight figures and you’ve got yourself a car that is arguably the most user-friendly for town driving while remaining a heap of fun.

The CVT automatic is fairly responsive for short bursts up to speed, though if you flatten your foot too much, it seems to produce more sound inside the cabin than actual pace on the road.

With its short wheelbase, lightweight steering rack and nimble handling, the Ignis is happy to dart in and out of tight spaces, squeeze into a car park and make a three-point turn without a problem.

The end result is a fabulous little city car that, while it doesn’t have a heap of power at its disposal, feels eager to change directions and whip through city streets.

The ride quality around town is more than acceptable, only becoming overwhelmed with larger road bumps, while offering enough support for a decent driving experience even on rougher country roads.

As a complete package, it’s hard not to be charmed by the little Ignis, which is a prime example of how a lightweight, short-wheelbase platform is absolutely perfect for urban-dwelling buyers looking for something easy to park and zippy around town.

Is it Fuel Efficient?

The Suzuki Ignis’ tiny little 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol is also a strong performer when it comes to fuel efficiency, with the entry-level Ignis GL Manual returning fuel economy figures of 4.9L/100km on a combined cycle.

Move to the Ignis with the CVT automatic and you’ll see fuel economy figures drop once again down to 4.7L/100km, making it one of the most fuel-efficient packages you can buy that doesn’t have a costly hybrid system under the bonnet.

Is it Practical and Spacious?

Judging by its exterior proportions, you might expect the Suzuki Ignis to have about as much real estate inside as a carton of beer.

The reality, though, is that Suzuki has done an astoundingly good job when it comes to the Ignis’ interior packaging, utilising some clever designs and the company’s know-how for extracting maximum space from a small cabin.

Step inside and you’ll be pleasantly surprised to see just how much headroom is on offer inside the Ignis, which is happy to accommodate even the tallest drivers and front passengers without a problem.

What’s less than ideal is the Ignis’ narrow body design which doesn’t offer a heap of shoulder room, though that hasn’t stopped Suzuki from adding a decent centre console with two storage areas and a pair of cup holders.

There’s a pair of massive door bins on either side of the cabin to accommodate large drink bottles while the driving position and visibility are excellent thanks to its inherently boxy design that allows Suzuki to add some larger windows than you’ll typically find in a micro car.

Move to the rear of the cabin and things get cramped, though you’ll likely find rear passengers will be more comfortable in the back of the Ignis than other compact SUVs, largely thanks to the tall, boxy design.

Instead of a sloping roofline that eats into headroom, the Ignis’ rear cabin is far more accommodating for tall rear passengers, and while legroom is limited, there’s enough space for adults on a short hop around town.

The Ignis comes fitted with a pair of ISOFIX anchors, top tether mounts, while the boot measures in at a very compact 271L in the GL, dropping to 264L in the GLX and above, though capacity increases to 1104L with the rear seats folded.

Is it Safe?

Safety is the main area in which the Suzuki Ignis struggles to compete with its main rivals.

It has no current ANCAP safety rating after its three-star ANCAP safety rating from 2016 expired and offers a bare minimum safety equipment list with absolutely no active safety tech.

As standard, the Suzuki Ignis is packaged with six airbags, traction control and stability control and that’s it.

There’s no autonomous emergency braking, no blind-spot monitoring, no parking sensors or any other safety tech that the majority of its rivals come packaged with as standard, meaning the little Ignis simply can’t compete in terms of safety.

Our Verdict: Is the Suzuki Ignis Worth it?

Don’t discount the Ignis simply because of its small footprint and quirky styling - step inside and there’s a lot to love about the pint-sized hatchback-cross-SUV.

It’s fun to drive, extremely light on fuel, easy to pilot in the tight confines of the urban jungle and offers far more space inside the cabin than you’d first expect, making it well deserving of a spot on your city car shortlist.

If you’re looking for a new car, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying experts who can help find you the best possible price on your next car.

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year-unlimited-kilometre warranty 

2. 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol (66kW/120NM) 

3. 4.7 - 4.9L/100km combined cycle fuel economy figures 

4. 264 -271L boot space 

5. Expired ANCAP safety rating