Suzuki Splash is one of the smallest Suzuki models in the market. The car is compact, fun to drive, and cheap to maintain. But is the Suzuki Splash a good car?
Depending on what you’re looking for, the Suzuki Splash can either be a good car or an undesirable one. It is a good car for individuals searching for a small, fuel-efficient, practical, and low-maintenance city car. On the other, it is undesirable for those looking for a high-performance, spacious,
History of Suzuki Splash
The Suzuki Splash is a small city car made by Suzuki Motor Corporation and Opel GmbH. This car has been in production since 2008, and it has been produced in three different countries. In Hungary, the car was produced from 2008 to 2014, in India from 2009 to 2016, and in China from 2010 to 2018.
Despite being referred to as Suzuki Splash in many countries, it is also known as Opel Agila in Europe, Maruti Suzuki Ritz in India, Vauxhall Agila in the United Kingdom, and Changhe Splain in China and South America.
What’s more, in the European market, the Suzuki Splash was positioned below the Swift and utilized a shortened wheelbase version of its chassis. On the contrary, in the Japanese lineup, the Suzuki Splash was positioned between the Suzuki Swift and the Suzuki Solio.
Note that the Suzuki Splash was discontinued in Europe in 2014 and succeeded by the second-generation Ignis in early 2016. On top of that, it was also discontinued in Indonesia in 2016 and in India as the Ritz in 2017.
Features of Suzuki Splash
Appearance
The looks of the Suzuki Splash are very debatable. Some people find its shape appealing and sleek, while others don’t. All in all, the car looks good but some of its rivals look even better. However, its interior is not the best as it’s cramped, and the dashboard isn’t so appealing.
With that said, the Suzuki Splash still looks spectacular inside and outside. This car has a wheelbase of 92.9 inches, a length of 146.5 inches, a width of 66.1 inches, and a height of 62.6 inches.
Performance
The performance of your car will be determined by the type of engine it comes with. Users have the choice of picking between petrol and diesel engines. The base engine is the 1.0-liter K10B I3 engine. Nonetheless, it also has 1.2-liter K12B I4 and 1.4-liter K14B I4 petrol engines. It only comes with one diesel engine (1.3-liter D13A I4-TD).
Moreover, users also have a choice of picking between a 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic CVT transmission.
Comfort and cargo space
Small cars may be fantastic when it comes to maneuvering in traffic or public car parks, but their small size can also bring discomfort to the cabin. Nevertheless, the Suzuki Splash can accommodate up to five people and it has ample boot space. This car has a total of 178 liters of boot space with the rear seat up and up to 573 liters with the rear seat folded.
Fuel efficiency
The Suzuki Splash may be fuel efficient, but it is not among the most efficient models in its class. This is somewhat disappointing as it is a compact city car, and it should perform better. This car has an efficiency rating of between 47 and 62 mpg.
Safety
Safety is very important when it comes to a car that you intend to drive daily. While the Suzuki Splash features several good safety features, it is one of the least safe cars in the class. Some of the safety features that it boasts are electronic stability control, an anti-lock braking system, electronic brake assist, central locking, Isofix, and airbags.
Price
Suzuki is known for producing some of the most efficient and affordable cars. The Suzuki Splash is not an exception as it is very affordable. However, since Suzuki is no longer making the Splash, you’re most likely to find quality used Splash models on the market. Most of these models retail between $1,900 and $12,000.
FAQ
Is the Suzuki Splash worth buying?
It depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re in the market for a compact, reliable, efficient, and affordable city car, the Suzuki Splash is a great car for you. But if you desire a high-performance, spacious, practical, and luxurious city car, you should look elsewhere.
What are the common problems with Suzuki Splash?
The Suzuki Splash is an efficient, practical, and affordable car. However, it also comes with several problems such as an overheating engine, windscreen wiper failure, faulty suspension springs, DPF warning light, oily smell, whirring sound in the gearbox, and rear suspension strut failure. On top of that, it also has timing chain issues and power loss.
How fast is the Suzuki Splash?
Like most city cars, the Suzuki Splash is not a fast car. Nonetheless, it delivers an excellent speed that is great for city driving. The naturally aspirated 1.2-liter 16v inline-4 engine delivers a maximum of 86 hp and 83 lb-ft of torque. Moreover, it can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 12.3 seconds. It also has a top speed of 109 mph, which is good.
Is Suzuki Splash a good daily driver?
Yes, Suzuki Splash is a great daily driver. This is because it is compact, making it easy to maneuver in traffic. Furthermore, it is very economical and easy to maintain. On the flip side, this car does not perform so well and some of its rivals are more efficient.
Which cars are like Suzuki Splash?
Suzuki Splash is a wonderful compact car with outstanding features, but it faces stiff competition in the market. Some of its closest rivals are Vauxhall Agila, Ford Fiesta, Citroen C3, Holden Astra, Nissan Micra, Seat Ibiza, and Nissan March.
Final thoughts
The Suzuki Splash is a great city car as it’s efficient, reliable, and easy to maintain. It is also perfect for new drivers and daily use. However, it also faces several problems that can be avoided with good care and maintenance. On top of that, it has small boot space, and it does not perform so well. Overall, it is a nice car and very affordable.