Suzuki Splash 1.2 SZ4 Auto 5dr Car Review - March 2012

The power behind the Suzuki Splash 1.2 SZ4 Auto is a peppy, 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder, 16v 1242cc petrol engine. It produces 93bhp and a torque of 87 lb-ft, which provides just enough pull to sustain pace at higher revs. Despite having an efficient, 4-speed automatic gearbox, the Splash is slow and has a 0-62mph time of 14.5 seconds.

On the road, it handles like a big car: it has lots of grip and stability is good. Steering is light, sharp and speedy. Suspension is stiff and makes the ride a little firm but effectively shields occupants from the effect of bumps. The car has plenty of body roll in corners, which you can minimize by slowing down just before taking the corner.

The engine is quiet until you accelerate. But the noise dies down once the car picks up speed. Road and wind noise are contained, except for the occasional whistling of wind at speed.

The Suzuki Splash is a cute, small family car. It is designed as a family car and looks smaller than it really is. It has a definitive nose that slopes gently, athletic side lines that give it a sporty touch and slightly flared wheel-arches. While being a very small model, measuring 3730mm x 1680mm, it is surprisingly spacious inside. But do not let the tiny dimensions and looks fool you; there is plenty of space inside.

The cabin is neat and finished to good taste. The hard materials used on the surfaces look more expensive than they really are, and are solid enough to last long.

Standard equipment level is good and includes power steering, stability control, central locking, alloy wheels, air con, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, driver airbag, passenger airbags, front side airbags, immobiliser and a CD player. Metallic paint is available for an extra £389.

Inside, the Suzuki Splash feels like a much bigger car. It is spacious enough for five, and has plenty of head and legroom to ensure that all occupants travel in comfort.

The boot is small. It only has 178 litres of space, which is too little compared to class standards. But you can get up to 573 litres of space by folding the rear seats. Thankfully, the seats fold completely to create a smooth, flat loading area that can hold loads of all shapes.

The driver’s seat has a range of adjustments while the steering wheel adjusts for height only. Nevertheless, you should be able to find a suitable driving position with ease. Controls are all clearly marked and logically arranged for ease of use.

The Splash has an extensive range of safety kit and outshines most of its rivals in this area. Stability control, six airbags, engine immobiliser and deadlocks are all installed. The car got a four-star rating for occupant safety in the Euro NCAP crash test, three stars for child safety and an equal number for pedestrian safety, which is impressive. Still, Suzuki will have to make upgrades that will boost its safety performance if it is to compete with the host of small family cars that have already hit the 5-star rating.

If you have previously owned a Suzuki, you already know that Suzuki models deliver as promised. If this is your first car, you can count on Suzuki’s reliability and quality. The car maker has built a strong reputation for trouble-free mechanicals. Additionally, you get a three-year/60,000 mile warranty to take care of any mechanical problems that arise.

The Splash is not the cheapest car in its class. Currently, it is priced at £11,430 which is higher than that of some rivals. But the value it presents is worth every pound you pay. Additionally, the car holds its value well so you still recoup a good percentage of what you bought it for, if you decide to sell.

The car is also among the best cars for fuel economy, with a return of 49.6mpg in combined cycle. Carbon emissions are low at 133g/km, so you only pay £115 a year in road tax under band E. Insuring the car will be cheap as well, as the car sits in insurance group 11.