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THE BARGAIN HATCHBACK
Suzuki Celerio
Price: R111 900 (Celerio GA)
Even though the Ciaz is a relative bargain, it will still take a chunk from your budget at about R3 200 a month if financed over five years with a R36 000 deposit. But there’s hope for those who can afford a R110 000 purchase price and want to buy into Suzuki’s virtues. It’s a smallish hatchback called the Celerio.
If the name sounds a bit silly, like something that belongs in a Bloody Mary, get over it.
Its 1-litre three-cylinder engine (not turbo-charged) is a feisty little thing and each Celery, sorry, Celerio, is equipped with two air bags and ABS brakes. We drove the pricier Celerio GL (R126 900), but the GA version, at R111 900, is almost as attractive and will cost a mere R2 000 a month over five years with a 20% deposit.
The Celerio GA does away with gadgets such as electric windows, electric mirrors, sound systems and Bluetooth, but retains the important bits like air-con and safety features.
For its size and price, the little Zook is spacious and will easily carry four adults and a child, but there won’t be room for a mountain of luggage.
Like the Ciaz, it suffers from wind noise and will bob and weave slightly in crosswinds. Two of my passengers were annoyed by the noisy clack the gear lever made when shifting. But the car’s low fuel consumption compensated for all this.
On the open road, the trip computer indicated an average of 5.7 litres/100km. Consumption during city driving proved to be even lower.
THE FAMILY SEDAN
Suzuki Ciaz
Price: R182 900
Ask any motoring journalist about the Suzuki Swift hatchback, especially the 1.4 or 1.6 Sport, and they will sing the praises of this little champ. It doesn’t grab headlines like the VW Polo or Opel Corsa do, but the range starts at just R135 400 and rewards its owner with a sense of fun that’s unmatched at the price.
When I drove the new Suzuki Ciaz, a significantly bigger car, it almost felt as if I was driving the sweet little Swift, with the associated good vibes.
Suzuki’s previous foray into the medium-sized sedan segment was a luxury car called the Kizashi. It failed to achieve significant sales because it went to market for about the same price as an Audi A3 or a medium-sized SUV.
The Ciaz, however, may have fewer features and a smaller engine than the Kizashi, but offers as much interior space and the range starts at only R182 900 for the GL. That’s almost half the price of the Kizashi.
Not that the Ciaz is the only convincing offer in this price range. It faces stiff competition from the Corolla Quest and Polo Vivo. The Suzuki counters with a comprehensive list that includes automatic air-con, a multifunction steering wheel, Bluetooth, radio/CD/USB and electric windows front and rear. Not to mention a gutsy little engine that feels livelier than its 1.4 litre size, with low fuel consumption – 5.5 litres/ 100km in city driving
