Suzuki Ertiga

Overview

With the aim of providing an affordable family car to the customers, this 7 seater MPV was first introduced in 2012 by the Japanese manufacturer and received a decent response from the customers in the south east Asia. The Suzuki swift has given it its platform with extended wheelbase to fit the third row efficiently and the Ertiga has executed it quite nicely. The automobile market of UAE is tough and the presence of many competitors in the segment make things troublesome for the Japanese manufacturer.

Interior

The Ertiga's cabin blends stylish design and roomy comfort with a sporty touch which is optimized for utmost comfort as well as convenience for the occupants. The seats at the first and second row are comfortable and made to be used for longer trips, but the last seat is definitely for the kids, due to poor leg room and comfort. The quality of material used for the dashboard and stereo system's design is top notch for the category while the steering sees the Suzuki badging planted efficiently. However, the car has been in the market from a long time and it looks slightly dated now. The audio player supports CD/ DVD, USB/ Aux, satellite radio and Bluetooth connectivity. Surpassing the competition, it has a respectable cabin quality. The 185-liters of boot space is approachable with all three rows live, but with last row down the space is enhanced to a huge 735-liters.

Exterior

Considering the demanding lifestyles of modern families, the Ertiga is a compact MPV with distinctive design that best match its compact structure. The redesigned headlights united with front bumper units and the upright rear design makes the overall look of the car decent. The car doesn't feels to be a big car from outside and seems to be having good proportions. The overall dimensions of the car measures 4265 mm X 1695 mm X 1685 mm and the wheelbase measures 2740 mm that gives ample cabin space to the occupants . The 15-inch alloy wheels with tyre size 185/65 R15 further improves the performance and gives road hugging experience to the driver.

Engine Performance

The 1.4–litre engine under the hood has all the power of an efficient people mover. Coupled with 4 speed automatic transmission, the maximum power measures 94 hp at 6000 rpm alongside the maximum torque of 130 Nm at 4000 rpm. Maintaining your Ertiga will not be an issue as it is optimized for minimal maintenance, Kudos to Suzuki's technology. The car will touch 100 kmph mark from halt in a time span of 13.5 seconds and the top speed measures 160 kmph. The mileage acquired by the same is an appreciable 14 kmpl.

Braking Safety

Suzuki has incorporated a stack of safety features that ensures an overall smooth driving experience of the occupants. Its monocoque chassis is designed with high tensile strength steel to contribute for safety of the big families. The ventilated disc in front and solid disc brakes at rear are coupled with Anti Lock Braking System (ABS), and Electronic Brake Force Distribution System (EBD) that provides effective braking to the occupants. The McPherson strut at front and non dependent torsion beam at the rear are efficient enough to hold the load in an appropriate manner. The other safety features include dual front airbags, ELR seat belts and ISOFIX.

Verdict:

Ertiga holds a significant potential to cater the expectations of customers in terms of comfort, afford-ability and styling. The not so smooth handling at corners might be the only issue with the MPV.