The Suzuki Splash is billed as an all-new mini MPV that has decent looks and is fun to drive around town. It is a generously spacious family-style car that comes with practicality as standard.
Practicality
The Suzuki Splash provides an impressive amount of space for such a small car. The roofline is high which means there’s loads of headroom whichever seat you end up in. Even those in the back get a reasonable amount of legroom with more than enough to keep taller passengers happy. The boot is a bit small, but you can extend it by folding down the split rear seat.
Drivers should have no trouble getting a comfortable position as the steering wheel and driver’s seat adjust for height.
The dashboard is simply laid out with all the buttons and dials easy to locate and use. The rev counter will either delight or annoy however as it sits on a stalk on top of the dash. Both ends of the car have thick window pillars that can hinder visibility.
The Suzuki Splash’s interior has plastics that are hard to the touch, but a textured finish makes them look smart. They’re sturdy as well and should prove to be very hard-wearing even if subject to regular assaults from the kids. The tight panel gaps give confidence about how carefully the car is made and, being a Suzuki, the mechanicals should be trouble free.
Life Style
The Suzuki Splash is a cute-looking car that will appeal to couples of all ages and young families with its big wide-eyed headlights and split front grille. It certainly has enough going for it to appeal to a mum with a young family or elderly people looking for a car with easy access that is cheap to buy and run.
That the Suzuki Splash is a cinch to enter and exit is down to the noticeably tall body, drawing on MPV-like styling cues to get the best use of interior space.
Despite its high stance, the wheel-at-each-corner Suzuki Splash is fun to drive as direct power steering and lots of grip give it a surprising amount of vim into and out of corners with not too much body roll in evidence. There’s a firm edge to the ride, especially at low speeds, but only the worst surfaces will make their presence felt in the cabin.
The Splash is also a competent performer on the motorway.
As far as the environment is concerned the diesel unit is impressive producing just 120g/km of carbon dioxide while the 1.2 petrol engine is a little higher at 131g/km.
Security and Safety
The Suzuki Splash does a good job of deterring those with sticky fingers as all versions of the car come with remote central locking, an engine immobiliser and deadlocks.
The Suzuki Splash is also choc full of safety kit and the Japanese firm deserves praise for this. All versions of the car get twin front, side and curtain airbags, and, even better, stability control.
The Finishing Touches
Suzuki has aimed the Splash at the higher end of the supermini market, so its mini MPV has plenty of kit fitted as standard.
All versions of the car get heated electric mirrors, electric front windows, air conditioning, a CD stereo and a leather-covered steering wheel with audio controls. Step up to the GLS+ car and Suzuki throw in alloy wheels, front foglamps and rear privacy glass.
The stereo is competent and easy to use but the speakers sound a little tinny and the radio doesn’t re-tune itself when it goes out of radio reception.
Suzuki Splash Car Review Summary
The Suzuki Splash was designed in Japan with Europe in mind. It looks cute inside and out and is generously equipped – particularly with safety kit. It is good to drive as well.
Suzuki offers two engines to power the Splash – a 1.3-litre 74bhp diesel with low carbon dioxide emissions and fuel economy in excess of 62mpg, and the feisty and very capable 85bhp 1.2-litre petrol engine which will manage around 51mpg. There are also pretty generous trim levels in GLS, GLS+ and DDiS grades thanks to the Splash’s upmarket aspirations.
The Splash is based on a Suzuki Swift platform with a slightly smaller wheelbase. The styling is neat with the wheel arches actually projecting beyond the vertical tailgate. The tail lights are tall and arrow-shaped and the waistline is a rising wedge.
