Production Models

2016 Suzuki Ertiga

2016 Suzuki Ertiga

2016 Suzuki Ertiga

2016 Suzuki Ertiga

2016 Suzuki Ertiga

2016 Suzuki Ertiga

Just when you thought the AUV kingdom was dead and buried, a new crop of vehicles start taking the place of the old guard. The latest one to lock horns comes from the least likely source: Suzuki. Known more for their cute keicars with unforgettable names, Suzuki jumped straight into one of the bloodiest battles as it tries to gain a foothold in the AUV kingdom. Their steed is the Ertiga.

The design of the Ertiga blends stylish, bold looks with flowing, aerodynamic lines. Each detail of the exterior has been refined to lend it flair, performance, and character befitting a category creator. It's based off the Swift and the handsome lines are rubbing off here. The front is the most striking part with the large, angular headlamps and the two-piece mesh grille. The rest of the design is much more understated, dictated by its function as an AUV. Overall, it looks good and modern.

The modern theme follows through into the cabin. The driving controls are all ergonomically sound with the steering wheel and the driver's seat offering ample adjustment. Even controls to the audio and air conditioning (both for the front and rear occupants) are easily reached by the driver and can be operated by feel alone.

The front thrones are supportive even for long drives and the visibility is good thanks to the expansive greenhouse. The driving position is high, but much more car-like compared to other AUVs. The gauges are also straight-forward and comes with a multi-function trip computer as a bonus.

With all seats upright, 7 people can ride in spacious comfort. And there is still 113 liters of room for their shopping and gear in the rear of the 3rd row seats. Seat slide adjustments allow occupants to adjust the space of each row of seats.

With a chassis derived from the Swift, the Ertiga is a surprisingly capable and agile little number. It's pretty enjoyable to toss around through curves and corners.

The steering, being electrically boosted, is accurate and light (turning radius is just 5.2 meters) while body roll is largely contained. The tall Goodyear Duraplus tires (185/65R15) isn't detrimental at all to the handling and actually enables better absorption of potholes and road cracks before they reach the cabin. Nonetheless, it's surprisingly quiet even at 100 km/h with controlled amounts of wind, road, and drivetrain noise.

Powered by a 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with 95 horsepower and 130 Nm of torque, it feels quick. It comes with a push start-stop button. This engine loves to rev and the short gear ratios mean drivability is pretty good and heavy loads don't make it sweat. The neat stubby gearstick makes shifting a joy, especially if you've mastered the heel-and-toe.

Overall, the Ertiga will leave you impressed. With its car-like dynamics, it's a very strong challenger in the AUV kingdom. The Ertiga is ready to slay its competition.