SMOOTH CITIZEN - Suzuki Ciaz GLX
Some nip and tuck for the Ciaz, and more grunt too
Suzuki has bolstered its B-segment offering by giving their Ciaz compact sedan a thorough refresh. Aside from gaining a more modern look, it gets more standard specification, and most importantly, more power.
While the old Ciaz was already an attractive offering, the new Ciaz sports a more mature and classy look. This is clearly evident by the chrome touches that characterize the more defined front end. This chrome theme continues on the shoulder line and door handles and ends in a new chrome garnish strip above the license plate on the boot lid. The rear now gets LED tail lights, as well as a third brake light mounted in the rear windscreen.
Aside from new LED headlights, equipped with integrated DRLs; it gets a new painted grille that runs from one headlight to the other. The central air dam has also been redesigned and brings the Ciaz in line with other recent Suzuki offerings, while the new LED fog lights are accentuated by chrome surrounds and additional intakes on its sides. When viewed from the side, the new 16-inch chrome wheels that adorn the flagship GLX spec becomes overly apparent, and compliments the other chrome touches nicely. New colour options have also been added, with the Ciaz now available in a choice of Snow White, Sangria Red, Dignity Brown, Premium Silver, Stargaze Blue, Magma Grey and Midnight Black Metallic.
The interior has also been lightly refreshed, with the most notably update being the addition of a new 7-inch SLDA touchscreen audio system. We bonded with this piece of tech recently in the new Jimny and confirm that not only is it easy to use, but it features Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink smartphone integration. The flagship GLX also gets a reverse camera with rear park sensor, Bluetooth and can be used using voice commands. The Ciaz’s safety features are satisfactory, and includes airbags for the driver and front passenger, ABS brakes with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and brake assistance (BAS).
The Ciaz also gains an additional 4.2-inch colour information display in the vehicle instrument cluster. This screen displays important driving information such as range, fuel consumption and outside temperature. Other standard kit available on the GLX includes cruise control, electric windows, keyless access with a Start/Stop button, a multi-function steering wheel, automatic climate control, electrically folding side mirrors, combination leather upholstery, integrated lighting in the footwells, individual rear reading lights, a retractable rear sunshade, rear air conditioning vents and an additional 12V socket for the back-seat.
Aesthetics and tech aside, one of the most important updates to the Honda Ballade rival is its new powerplant. The old 1.4-litre K14B has been binned in favour of the new 1.5-litre K15B. This naturally-aspirated motor features in the new Jimny, and the new Ertiga; boasts multi-point fuel injection and variable valve timing, and is available with either a five-speed manual gearbox or four-speed automatic transmission. The K15B outputs 77kw and 138nm, which is 7kw and 8nm more than the outgoing Ciaz. Despite the increase in power, the larger motor is minutely thirstier – sipping unleaded at a rate of 5.5 litres per 100 km for manual models and 5.6 litres per 100 km for automatic models.
Suzuki Ciaz 1.5 GL Manual R214 900
Suzuki Ciaz 1.5 GL Auto R229 900
Suzuki Ciaz 1.5 GLX Manual R244 900
Suzuki Ciaz 1.5 GLX Auto R259 900
All Ciaz models will be sold with a 3-year / 60 000 km service plan and Suzuki’s promotional 5-year / 200 000 km vehicle warranty.
