2014 Suzuki Splash Review
1. Driving Experience
According to the dictionary, the idiom “making a splash” is defined as “drawing a lot of public attention”. Apparently that’s what Suzuki plans to do with its boxy four-door supermini, the 2014 Suzuki Splash. It’s doubtful however, that a four-door economy hatchback will amass too much attention. Though in Autocar’s Splash review, written by Mark Tisshaw, he says “There’s much to admire about the 2014 Suzuki Splash’s simple, fun motoring”. Despite this, there is some headline worthy news if you’re in the market for such a vehicle. You can now get the 93bhp 1.2-litre Dual VVT-i engine plucked from the Swift, which replaces the 85bhp unit. You can also still get the 68bhp 1.0-litre engine if you so desire. To get the power to the wheels, there’s a choice of either a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic with the larger petrol unit. The ride is rather rigid, but the steering is light with a small turning radius, allowing you to perform mini-donuts on command. The 1.0-litre is good around town but gets boisterous at highway speeds.
2. Design and Build
The 2014 Suzuki Splash is a five-door supermini based on the Swift platform. The car is just 3.72m long, allowing it to squeeze into parking spots and navigate urban sprawl with ease. The 2014 Suzuki Splash’s looks have been fine-tuned with revised front and rear bumper styling, a keener bonnet and grille, plusher seat fabric and a graphite colour scheme. As is to be expected from a supermini, space is limited, and if you plan on transporting more than one rear passenger, you better make certain they are good friends. Front row dwellers will be quite content since they are afforded easy access doors, adjustable seats, and well laid out controls. Taking a stroll out back, the boot is almost non-existent at 178-litres, so occupants have to be discerning as to what they pack for a weekend getaway. The boot’s saving grace is that the floor lifts to reveal a sizeable wet bin for holding whatever belongings you have – soggy or dry.
3. Market and Model
There are five different 2014 Suzuki Splash models available for your flogging pleasure including the 1.0-litre available in the SZ2 and SZ3 trim and the 1.2 model available in either the SZ3 or SZ4 grades. Pricing is between £9,500 and £12,000 – not bad. Standard equipment includes a CD stereo with steering wheel-mounted audio controls, leather-trimmed steering wheel, remote central locking, front electric windows, air conditioning, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, height-adjustable front seats, a tilt adjustable steering wheel and an information display. If you pony up for the 1.2-litre SZ4, you get front fog lamps, privacy glass, and keyless entry with remote start. Safety is fundamental for a small family vehicle and the Splash doesn’t disappoint. Protection comes in the form of four airbags, seatbelt force limiters and pre-tensioners for the front seats, ABS with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution, ESP stability control and a pair of side curtain airbags on 1.2 SZ4 models.
4. Cost of Ownership It’s a supermini so you know cost of ownership is going to be low. The amended 1.2-litre engine now squeezes out 55.4mpg while emitting 118g/km of carbon dioxide. If you plan on staying in town for the majority of your driving experience, the 1.0-litre is the engine to own – it returns 60.1mpg and 109g/km while costing £1,000 less. If you get tired of your Splash, you can easily unload it – unlike your spouse. The little hatch holds its worth, typically commanding 41 to 42 per cent of its new value after three years.
Summary
The Suzuki Splash does everything well, but doesn’t have any standout features to entice new customers. Maybe a splash (pun intended) of design flare here and they would promote better sales. If you don’t mind blending in with the crowd, the Splash is a sensible purchase that’s also not completely boring to drive around town. If you’re in the market for a supermini, strap in the kids and head down to the Suzuki dealer for a test drive. What do you think of our Suzuki Splash review? Let us know in the comments.
If you want to get hold of the 2014 Suzuki Splash then don’t hesitate to leave us a message on our contact us page or give us a call on 01903 538835 to find out about our Suzuki lease deals.
What do you think of the 2014 Suzuki Splash?
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
