Car Test
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R0316 | |
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March 2003 |
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| Suzuki Liana | ||
| Printer Friendly Page | Featured model: 1.6GLX Sedan 4door | |
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Among smaller family cars, the hatchback reigns supreme; saloons and estate cars sell in much smaller numbers and so some manufacturers don’t bother. If you’re buying with your own money, budget-priced alternatives to mainstream models, like the Focus and Astra, are even thinner on the ground. Proton Wira and Hyundai Accent are the only real alternatives to this Suzuki – whose parent company is better known for its motorbikes and much-loved Vitara Sports Utility Vehicle.
In fact, Suzuki’s previous Balero made a good impression on us when we tested it – but it was only full-sized family-fare as a saloon and never really caught on. The new Liana avoids this marketing pitfall by being offered as a five-door hatchback or an elongated four-door saloon – both at the same highly competitive asking price. The extra 12cm at the kerb really pays off in terms of boot space, which by our reckoning is 50 per cent greater than the hatchback’s, if all seats are occupied and you resort to soft holdalls rather than just suitcases. The sill is still reasonably unobtrusive and the rear seat backrests flip forward on to fixed cushions, to deal with any overflow. Boot security isn’t a strong-point, however, and you lose the rear wiper, of course. The other loss versus the otherwise identically seated hatch, is that the saloon’s rear backrest has a fixed rake which could be a shade too upright for some passengers; the hatch offers variable rake. Nevertheless, the Liana saloon’s standard of trim and its accommodation, leaves little to be improved on; just a soft-feel facia and wider door receptacles would round things off nicely. This favourable visual inspection is endorsed by the numbers we recorded – whether it’s a tape measure, fuel meter or performance–measuring equipment that’s applied, the Liana passes muster against all the big names – and does better than some. Where it struggles, however, is in some aspects of its behaviour. There’s a certain harshness that afflicts both the suspension and the engine as conditions become more demanding. Cruising along a smooth main road at anything up to sixty on the digital speedo leaves little to be desired. However, go faster, rev it harder or encounter a poorly surfaced minor road, and the shortcomings, in terms of ride and mechanical coarseness, begin to emerge. Comfortable seating and good heating (with air-con as well, on the GLX) are welcome, however, and the Liana’s cabin and controls are largely glitch-free. Construction standards are reassuring – there’s a lot of panel-galvanising in manufacture – and we like underbonnet details such as chain-driven camshafts and easy routine accessibility. This is a layout that any competent service engineer could cope with, if a Suzuki dealer isn’t all that close. |
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