When the Suzuki Ertiga first made it these shores in 2014 it threw a cat among pigeons, setting off feelings of confusion and excitement. The market got excited because the Eritiga was entering a growing market of seven-seater family vehicles, popular known as MVPs. But confusion arose when Suzuki spurned the multi-purpose vehicle tag and prefereed to call it LUV – Life Utility Vehicle.
Well, so good so well, because there’s nothing confusing with its familiar Suzuki physical characteristics, and it is more fun to drive.
While the front part of the exterior design gives the Ertiga that Suzuki look, its profile takes us back to the MVP debate because of the familiar slab-sidedness of MPVs. The rear styling is attractive with wraparound taillamps.
At 4 265 mm long, 1 695 mm wide and 1 685 mm high, the Ertiga may seem compact, despite offering all seven seats. The rearmost items fold flat and the second row can slide forward by 240 mm to enable a large loading area of 482 dm³. With the rea most pair in use there is a meagre 135 available. The second row backrest is also split 60:40 and folds independently for more versatility.
There are two transmission options available. The five-speed version is mated with a 1,4-litre inline four that develops 70 kW and 130 N.m of torque at a high-ish 4 000 r/min. It must be said that the motor does feature variable valve timing.
Far more impressive than the power delivery is the ride quality. This is where you get to know why Suzuki prefers the LUV description rather than MVP, because on the long road the Ertiga just feels more passenger car-like than its rivals in MVP sector.
Changes from 2014
The facelift in the latest Ertiga seven-seater include a new grille, re-sculpted front bumper and new chrome surrounds for headlights.
The interior has also received some refreshed touch with the tactile surfaces getting a new finish. Flush mounted into the dashboard gives you a Bluetooth compatible audio system that has USB, MP3 and iPod integration.
The rear passenger area now has the addition of an extra 12V charging socket and the second row seats are now split 50/50 to allow for more space configurations.
With so much improvement on an already good vehicle for its purpose, Suzuki have every right to blow their horn.
“The Ertiga remains an engineering showpiece for Suzuki Auto, having stretched the available interior space to 2665 mm on a platform length of only 4265mm. This makes the Ertiga a true seven-seater and gives it an effective loading capacity of 736 litres if the two rear passenger seat rows are folded flat into the Ertiga’s floor,” said André Venter, divisional manager for sales and marketing at Suzuki Auto South Africa.
With its new design and significant specification boost, Suzuki Auto has decided to streamline the range to the GA Manual, GL Manual and GL Auto models. The range-topping GLX model will no longer be available, thanks largely to the GL’s increase in specifications.
Pricing
Ertiga 1.4 GA MT – R193 900 incl. VAT
Ertiga 1.4 GL MT – R219 200 incl. VAT
Ertiga 1.4 GL AT – R235 900 incl. VAT
