Suzuki Splash

When you have been driving a really fantastic car, a car you loved from the moment you collected it, to the moment you had to hand it back, it can be difficult to acclimatise to the next car you have to drive. This is especially the case where the first car is a premium segment make, costing almost three times the amount of the mass market small car you have to drive next. My premium segment car was the Audi A3 convertible and if you read my road test report, you will see that I was madly in love with it. My next assignment was the Suzuki Splash. Looking at it, about the only thing it has in common with the Audi, is the shape of its large grille, divided by a covered section carrying the number plate. Sitting into it, it could not have been more different to the Audi. In the Suzuki Splash you sit up high with a commanding view of the road. In the Audi I had the seat set low to give a sporty feel. The Splash had a beautiful feel to the leather covered steering wheel, just like the A3, but it was a different feel. Before I had driven one hundred yards, I told myself that I liked this car and that enjoyment lasted unabated until I had to give the car back.

It was small in overall dimensions, yet the seats were comfortable and supportive. The instrument panel was simple yet comparatively easy to use. The 1.2 litre petrol engine gave a more than adequate performance. What more could you want in a small car ?

The heating/ventilation controls and the audio controls were located in the centre console, where they were easy to see and operate, by both the driver and the front passenger. The gear lever was high up close to the driver’s left hand. At the top of the console, there was a covered storage space, which was very handy for keeping a number of items out of sight, but easy to reach when required.

Above and below : Comfortable, well appointed interior

A large, circular, analogue speedometer, is behind the steering wheel, directly in front of the driver. A small, round, analogue tachometer is mounted on top of the facia, to the left of the speedometer and angled towards the driver. The lower section of the speedometer has a small digital panel that shows the trip and total distance mileages with a separate small fuel level gauge. There are also warning lights distributed around the circumference of the speedometer. The main problem with the instruments is their colouring. While they are easy to see in certain lighting conditions, they can be difficult to see at night or certain conditions during the day. The delightful leather covered steering wheel has further audio controls on the left hand arm. All the driving controls are close at hand and easy to use, making the Suzuki Splash a very pleasant car to drive.

Most people would not buy a small car for its expected performance potential in terms of velocity. The performance of the Splash in this regard was more than satisfactory. It had a potential top speed of 175 kph (108 mph), which is more than adequate. Even more surprising its 0-100 kph acceleration time of 12.3 seconds, which would put many medium sized cars to shame.
The real delight of course comes, when you discover that it can do all that, whilst still delivering an urban cycle fuel consumption of 40 mpg (6.9 lt/100 km). Once you have it warmed up and head into an extra urban environment, it manages an astonishing 60 mpg (4.7 lt/100 km) ! This gives a combined cycle average of 51 mpg (5.5 lt/100 km). In my books that is excellent and just the sort of thing that is needed in today’s economic conditions.
You can also keep those crazy Green Nutcase Neighbours, Green with envy, when you casually mention that its carbon dioxide exhaust emissions are just 131 gm/km. They probably breathe out more carbon dioxide puffing along on their bicycles ! Of course the government and their Green allies will hate you, as that 131 gm/km figure qualifies for an annual road tax of 156 euro - until they increase it again - which is not exactly filling their pockets in the manner to which they had become accustomed.
Small cars do, of course, have their disadvantages. Covered luggage space is not exactly their forte. When all seats are in use, the Suzuki Splash has 0.178 cubic metres. This is divided into two sections : the space between the luggage floor and the rear shelf, plus the space below the luggage floor. Below the floor there is a large, removable plastic bin, which is divided into both small and large spaces to accommodate a variety of different sized items. If only two seats are required, the rear seat backrest is split 60/40 and can be folded onto the seat cushions to give a maximum of 0.573 cubic metres, which is right up there in the best large car territory.

Above : Floor to shelf luggage space ---------------------- Below : Underfloor luggage space

Above : Maximum luggage space with two seats

When it comes to trailers, Suzuki are quite specific: their cars are designed to carry passengers, not tow trailers - BUT - they realise that in Europe many motorists do tow trailers, so they provide a trailer hitch as an accessory and the handbook does indicate, where the mounting points should be located. They also suggest that the maximum weight for a braked trailer is 200 kg and there is no mention of unbraked trailers. So if you need additional space, it looks as if you are limited to a roof box and in that case weight is limited to 35 kg and that includes the roof box and all the associated mountings and fitting.

My test took in roads in Dublin city and Fingal County, as well as roads in the counties of Meath and Kildare. These covered main roads as well as twisting narrow country roads and lanes. Needless to say crater sized potholes, non existent edges, corrugated surfaces are all part of a normal day’s driving. To encounter a smooth well maintained road surface, is totally unbelievable and rarely occurs. The authorities will spend millions creating ramps, yet will stubbornly refuse to fill a pothole, even if it is right next the suspension wrecking ramp they are building !
In spite of these atrocious road conditions, the Suzuki Splash offers a reasonably comfortable ride, with good roadholding. It is easy to manoeuvre in tight spaces, so it generally provides a satisfying driving experience. The electric power assisted steering is geared to give a comfort oriented 3.2 turns from lock to lock.
From a cost of ownership point of view, it comes with a 3 years/100,000 km warranty, with 3 years roadside assistance and a 12 years anti-perforation cover. Regular servicing is needed every 15,000 km (12,000 miles) or once a year, whichever comes first.
Overall I was tremendously impressed with the Suzuki Splash and would gladly own one myself as my everyday transport !

Technical data