One of the many interpretations of the word ‘splash’ is ‘spend money’ but the amount UK customers needs to splash out on a Splash is almost as low as you would sensibly want to go to get a safe and sound, smart five door mini MPV.
It is the festive season of goodwill but those people at Suzuki GB have been good all year with their Vat free and zero interest finance offers.
In return for their generosity they have reaped the benefits with their new car sales up by 22.3 per cent when the overall market is up by 5.4 per cent.
So if you need a small but roomy, fuel efficient new five door car hurry down to your local Suzuki dealer before the end of the year because their Vat free offers are scheduled to end as of the 31 December 2012.
As an example of what difference this makes the 1.0-litre petrol Splash in its lowest trim SZ2 level officially costs £9,325 but under the Vat free offer it costs £7,777, that’s some Christmas present.
My recent test model, the 1.2 SZ4 manual at the top end of the range is priced at £11,105 but if I get myself down to the Suzuki dealer before the end of the year to ‘splash the cash’ I’ll pay only £9,254. If I needed an automatic transmission Splash, only available on the 1.2 SZ4, that would add £895 to the price.
Although the Vat free offer could finish at the end of this year, the recent introduction of the Dacia budget brand and the continuing financial incentives-to-buy offers that dominate the market, Suzuki will still be sharpening their pencils to keep their prices very competitive. It worked in 2012 so expect more offers in 2013.
There is the choice of SZ2/SZ3 spec levels available with the 1.0-litre three-cylinder 67bhp petrol engine and SZ3/SZ4 with the 1.2-litre four-cylinder 93bhp unit. The smaller engine will return over 60mpg and £0 First Year and then £20 per annum road tax costs. The larger unit returns over 55mpg and road tax is again £0 and then £30 second year onwards. Insurance costs are just as low; Group 7 for the small engine and Group 11 for the larger one.
Whether it’s the bank of mum and dad providing a youngster with their first reliable new car, or a family’s second car as mum’s bus or roomy transport for empty nesters or comfortable important transport for the not so physically mobile, the Splash with its compact 3.1-metre length, lean width and tall height is easy to live with.
It allows easy access through its tall doors, just right for loading the kids into their seats, it has high seating, just right for those with stiff joints, lots of headroom and the rear tailgate allows easy access into the smallish boot of 178-litres but this expands, with the split rear seat backs folded down in various configurations, to reveal up to 573-litres of carrying space.
With its low waistline and tall windows the visibility from inside the car to the outside is another good feature of the Splash. Not only does it make it easy to park it is also a joy to drive in busy traffic conditions as today’s impatient drivers tend not to give much space or consideration to fellow road users.
The 1.2-litre 93bhp high revving, variable valve timing, four cylinder engine develops 87lb ft of torque at a relatively high 4,800rpm so its nippy but needs full use of the gearbox to keep it in its powerband. It was a bit sluggish going up steep hills but it coped really well with fast moving motorway traffic.
Ride comfort was generally good for a small car and there was good grip from the front driving wheels and the steering was light and precise and gave good feedback.
Being 1.59-metres tall the Splash is prone to side wind gusting and can be affected by the draft from fast moving tall heavy vehicles on open roads. In town in was nippy and made light work of urban driving.
On winding country roads, due to its height relative to its 1.68-metre width, there was some body roll at higher speeds but the comfortable tall seats offered good side support to minimise the human body lean. Top speed is an ample 109mph and the acceleration time from standstill to 62mph takes 12.0 seconds which is good for such a small car.
The official Combined Cycle fuel consumption is 55.4mpg and I was impressed that my test car’s overall consumption nearly matched that at 54.3mpg and that was during the recent really cold spell where the car was left to warm-up and defrost the windows before early morning journeys.
The Splash, given the price, is a well equipped package with all models offering a high equipment list as standard including four airbags, CD tuner with MP3 player and steering wheel-mounted audio controls, leather trimmed steering wheel, remote central locking, front electric windows with driver’s auto-down, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, height-adjustable front seats, tilt adjustable steering wheel and an information display. Models from the 1.0 litre SZ3 upwards add air conditioning as standard.
Step up to the SZ4 and the standard specification is even higher with electronic stability programme, curtain shield airbags, 15-inch alloys, front fog lamps, keyless entry and start and privacy glass for the rear side windows and tailgate.
The only obvious item missing for the top of the range SZ4 were electrically operated rear side windows but thankfully it comes with a spare wheel, not a useless inflation kit.
Verdict
The Suzuki Splash as a compact easy to live with mini MPV is all many people want in today’s frugal motoring market place. Not only does it look cheeky, it is currently offered at a very cheeky price – but be quick just in case prices go up in the New Year.
MILESTONES
Suzuki Splash 1.2 SZ4 5-Door mini MPV. Price £9,254 (until 31 December 2012). Engine/transmission: 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder, petrol, 93bhp, 87lb ft at 4,800rpm, 5-speed manual (£895 auto option). Performance: 109mph, 0-62mph 12-seconds, 55.4mpg, (54.3mpg on test), CO2 118g/km, VED roads tax £0 First Year rate then £30 second year onwards, BIK company car tax 14%. Insurance group: 11E. Dimensions/capacities: L 3,175mm, W 1,680mm, H 1,590mm, boot/load space 178 to 573-litres.
For: Lots of passenger space for very little money, comfortable, easy to get in and out off, easy to drive, easy to park, economical on fuel, good specification.
Against: Small boot with the rear seats in use, manually operated rear-side windows, without the current discounted price it’s costly to buy.
