A splash hit

3:45pm Thursday 4th September 2008

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SUZUKI is a car maker with several areas of expertise.

The whole world knows it's at the top in the arena of exciting motorbikes, and where 4x4s are concerned its products are also very capable.

But this company is also big in the world of small cars - and its latest Splash proves the point.

Should you see one, you might rub your eyes and take a second glance, thinking that you had seen exactly the same car already wearing a Vauxhall badge. And you would be right.

Vauxhall sells this car as the Agila. But, for this generation, Suzuki has decided on a new name and it's one that works much better.

The company obviously wants this to be seen as a young person's car. So it's no bad thing, then, that an electronic stability program is a standard feature, something Suzuki claims is unique in the class.

Suzuki places the Splash among mini MPVs, but I tend to think of them merely as tall family hatchbacks.

However you describe them, they make a lot of sense.

Small, tall cars make the best use of available road space, but the Suzuki feels more grown up than some of its rivals, doubtless because it is based on the platform for the Swift supermini.

But its tall body gives it the elevated driving position that's absent from the Swift, and older people, like me, appreciate being able to slide easily into the Splash instead of climbing down into it.

There are only four models in the Splash range, starting with the 1.2-litre petrol GLS. From there you can rise to the 1.2 GLS+ manual or automatic and topping out the line-up is the 1.3 DDiS diesel, but unless you do mega mileages or spend a lot of time in town, then the petrol car is probably the right one for you.

Suzuki designed the car specifically for the European market and did a great deal of research before it even started the development stage.

As a result, the car has plenty of visual appeal and is as practical as Fiat's Panda, but much better looking.

While Suzuki styled the base car, it was left to GM and Suzuki stylists to come up with different front and rear ends for their respective models, but I think the Suzuki design works particularly well.

I also like the 1.2-litre petrol engine and it would take a lot of persuading to buy the diesel instead, although London dwellers should opt for the diesel to avoid the congestion charge come the autumn.

Fuel consumption for the petrol car is close to 50mpg, without any effort, and most people would be happy with that.

At £9,515 on the road, the Suzuki also seems well-priced for the GLS+ 1.2. But be aware, when comparing prices, that Suzuki only includes six months' road tax.

• For further information, contact Alan Gibson Suzuki on 01256 355221.