Suzuki Ciaz: Roomy, refined ride without the lavish price tag

 

Photos by Charles E. Buban

 

Sometimes it is rewarding to arrive late in the game. Late entrants have the advantage of forming a better picture of the “battlefield,” have more time to learn through the experiences of those who came ahead, and in some cases, discover what they might have missed.

Innovative new entrants use this moment to redefine the market and even reshape how buyers think.

Suzuki Philippines would like to be this type of player as it launched its latest subcompact sedan, the Ciaz.

The 57-year-old Japanese motorcycle giant, which in 1999 added four-wheeled vehicles on its list of product offerings, may be a new entrant in the country’s extremely competitive subcompact sedan market.

But the company’s general manager for automobile, Shuzo Hoshikura, is confident the Ciaz is a formidable gem that could compete with well-established players like the Toyota Vios, Honda City, Nissan Almera and Hyundai Accent.

 

Premium design touches

First unveiled in the 2014 Delhi Auto Expo and debuted in last year’s Bangkok International Motor Show in Thailand, the Ciaz possesses premium design touches.

 

The wide stance, low roofline, prominent creases running on the side, big swept-back headlamps and a huge S-logo smack in the middle of the chrome grille all work toward adding some refinement to the Ciaz’s look.

At the rear, the Ciaz’s wide, angular tail lamps may remind you of the Honda City (or BMW). This must be mere coincidence, since those rear lights are probably among the most likeable design touches of the Ciaz.

Keeping a car within a certain price level while still offering refined features (for example, push engine start/stop button media controls on the steering wheel) is a strength Suzuki is known for.

In this case, P888,000 for the GLX automatic (GL manual costs P738,000, while GL automatic costs P773,000) gets you a spacious four-door sedan that is currently the biggest in its segment at 4.49 meters long, 1.73 m wide, 1.475 m high. It also offers the most ample interior space, thanks to a 2.65-m wheelbase.

Ciaz in the Philippines comes with a 1.4-liter K14B engine (same one that powers the Ertiga MPV) that puts out 97 horsepower and 130 Newton-meters of torque. The Ciaz is available in either four-speed automatic or five-speed manual.

Hoshikura explained the K14B is an excellent middle-ground engine that promises to deliver satisfying power and excellent fuel economy (upwards of 20 kilometers per liter).

Neat

Inside, the Ciaz is neatly laid out. The texture of plastics as well as the leathers on the seats and steering wheel provide a premium feel. The instrument cluster features two analogue dials that flank a multi-information display that offers useful data, including fuel efficiency.

The 8-inch Android-based touchscreen infotainment system available in the top-trim GLX comes standard with wireless connectivity and preloaded apps like Waze, Facebook, YouTube and Gmail.

Meanwhile, the lower variants are equipped with Windows CE-based touch-screen units with navigation.

Noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) was also given much consideration, and according to Hoshikura, sound deadening materials were installed in several parts of the sedan, making the ride less stressful.

During a recent media drive that took 14 units of the Ciaz to Anilao in Batangas (a 200 plus-kilometer round trip), we noted this claim to be true: The Ciaz comes with 16-inch wheels, and during our drive, loaded with at least three occupants, the sedan tackled broken highway roads and rough patches very well.  Engine noise was also well insulated from the cabin.

To sum up, the Ciaz journey is not going to be so easy because of the competition around. But with all the ride refinements, its fuel efficient engine and attractive price tag, this Suzuki sedan would definitely give the others a very tough fight.