Suzuki makes a Splash (From Dorset Echo)

Suzuki makes a Splash

12:37pm Friday 30th April 2010 in Cars By Tim Saunders

TOWN and cities are becoming increasingly congested. To tackle this, car manufacturers are embracing the small car market.

There’s an array of choices for the befuddled motorist, ranging from the chic Fiat 500 to the ingenious Smart car.

And in a joint venture, Suzuki and Vauxhall have come up with a neat little package, which Suzuki markets as the Splash and Vauxhall as the Agila.

However, according to Nadim Atteeque, sales manager at Horizon Suzuki in Parkstone, the two models are quite different.

The Splash offers “more equipment for your money than the Vauxhall”, he says.

“The Vauxhalls do not have the electric door mirrors or air conditioning and the Suzuki is worth more than the Vauxhall after three years,” he adds, controversially, claiming that this is down to the appeal of the Japanese brand.

Finished in bright red, the 1.2 litre test car looks as if it would appeal more to women drivers. But Mr Atteeque reassures me that it’s popular with men.

It offers a good amount of room and is reasonably comfortable although I find that the centre console rubs against the driver’s left leg – something Mr Atteeque, who is 6ft 2, disputes.

He always uses a Splash when he’s “out on a jolly” because “it’s a decent size and a nice drive”.

It could be a big “splash” with the elderly or frail too because it’s very easy to get into, being a convenient height to slide in to.

Once inside, it offers a surprisingly high driving position for such a small car.

All models have five doors and are equipped with air conditioning, remote central locking and six airbags. Suzuki claims it will seat five adults.

Extras include alloys and a rev counter (on top of the dashboard) to the left of the large circular speedometer, which harks back to the old Mini (although that had a chrome surround – this is plastic).

As is the way with many a Japanese car, there’s a lot of grey plastic inside.

Simple in many ways, it’s refreshing to drive and quite responsive for such a small car.

At night the dials glow red, complementing the exterior.

The Splash is quite happy making long journeys and competently handles motorways, feeling at home in the outside lane.

Gutsy for one so small, it is possible to almost reach 60mph in second gear.

It comes into its own in the town, zipping in and out of traffic, safely darting into spaces missed by larger, less agile vehicles.

The Splash, which uses a shortened wheelbase, borrowed from its bigger brother, the Swift, can be parked in tight spaces at the side of the road, helping save money on costly car parking charges.

Horizon Suzuki aims to sell 75 Splash models this year.